Page 43 of Forever Touched

“Of course this is her home,” a new voice interjected, making all the hairs on my body stand on end. “Please shut the door, dearest. You know the sun doesn’t agree with my complexion.”

I quickly obeyed Mistress, pausing briefly when I spotted Loch in the front yard. We shared a look, and I could have sworn he sent me a silent apology. I closed the door without acknowledging it, my sole focus on the two vampires facing off with each other in the foyer.

“Your Majesty, it issuchan honor to have you visit Faircroft Manor,” Mistress gushed, pausing to deeply curtsy before the prince. Somehow, in the past few minutes, she’d managed to don a plum-colored dress and make her face and hair presentable. She even wore a heavy diamond necklace and matching earrings. “To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“I’m not here for pleasant reasons, Madame Faircroft,” Everett curtly replied. As she straightened, he said point blank, “Are you forcing Star to have sex with her clients at Dreamscape?”

Her expression froze. Only for a moment, though. It quickly transformed to one of appalled shock. “Why, Your Highness, I would never. I’m hurt that you would even consider such a thing. Trafficking is against the new laws your esteemed father has set forth.”

Everett was unfazed by her wounded tone. “Then why is she living here with you? Why isn’t she with her own coven?”

Mistress didn’t miss a beat. “Sadly, the girl doesn’t have parents or a coven. Her father died the same night my dear husband did. I’m sure you recall the tragic losses we all suffered the day the curse was broken?”

The question sounded innocent but was heavy with accusation. Still, Mistress managed to perfectly play the part of a widow who’d magnanimously taken in an orphaned witch during her time of grief.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Everett replied, not sounding the least bit sorry, “but I still don’t understand why you would take her in.”

Mistress shrugged delicately. “I don’t hold anything against witches personally, and she needed a home. My own two daughters have come to see her as their sister. All three of them were robbed of their fathers that day, after all. They share a bond.”

Sister?Yeah, right. They would sooner walk into the sunlight than think of me as their sister.

When Everett’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, Mistress turned her attention to me. “Tell him, dear. Tell the prince that we see you as part of our family.”

As she looked at me fondly, I struggled to respond. She’d never looked at me that way before. It was strange and awful, a painful reminder that I’d never see my parents look at me that way again.

Swallowing roughly, I forced myself to say, “It’s true. The Faircroft family took me in when my dad died six years ago. This has been my home ever since.”

Not a lie. It was the best that I could do.

“See?” Mistress spoke a little too brightly. “Shelovesit here. But, forgive me, Sire. Might I inquire as to your sudden interest in Star?”

He was staring at me.Hard. Trying to read my expression. Trying to detect the lie. I didn’t dare meet his gaze.

“Your Highness?” Mistress implored, a tiny piece of her own mask starting to crack. She fidgeted with the rings on her fingers, giving away her nervousness.

Finally, Everett returned his attention to her. “I’m sure you’ve heard about what happened to my brothers at a feeding den over acentury ago.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Such a tragic story.”

“Then you’ll know that a witch hasn’t been caught dead in a vampire-owned nightclub ever since.”

“Yes, but the curse has been broken. Times have changed, and Star isverywell protected.”

My spine slowly stiffened.Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it, I silently pleaded with him.

“Is she now?” Everett said, the words dripping with condescension. “She’s surrounded by dozens of hungry predators every night, very few of whom have ever tasted witch blood in their lifetime. You dangle her in front of them like an irresistible treat, then offer them the full meal if they’re willing to pay the price. I personally know many of the males who frequent your club, and all I can say is, I’m surprised Star is still standing here in one piece.”

Mistress arched a sculpted brow, staring at him with new eyes. Uh oh. She was putting the pieces together, but she was doing it all wrong. She thought he was Benjamin Osborne. Rather, she thought Everett was the mysterious male in the gold mask, the one who’d been turned away, who’d grabbed me off a table and had later attacked me in the woods.

Crossing her arms, she replied in a rather haughty tone, “Be that as it may, Star isn’t beingforcedto perform at the club. She’s there of her own volition. Ask her if she’s being forced to have sex.Thrallher into giving you an honest answer. You have my blessing.”

Everett didn’t even glance my direction, knowing full well that he couldn’t use thrall on me. Not with his blood still in my system.

Taking his silence as proof that he believed her, Mistress went on, “Star is our main attraction at Dreamscape Lounge, and we value her tremendously. She’s paid handsomely for her work and is well takencare of. And, if I’m not mistaken, hiring blood whores isn’t illegal in this kingdom. Correct me if I’m wrong.”

A muscle jumped in Everett’s jaw. “No,” he said after a lengthy beat. “It’s not illegal.”

“Glad to hear it. Then I don’t see what the problem is here. Did you wish to schedule a private session with Star this evening? I can have it arranged.”

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