Page 28 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

“The witnesses are mistaken. I wasn’t with Camila last night. Our relationship ended months ago.”

My breath had stilled at her name. Obviously, Costin and the king didn’t know I’d had a dalliance with Nancee. It had only been brief. But Camila was another matter. She had been a waitress at Crimson Stakes and my favorite lover for quite some time until she went to work for the Baronefamily. If Costin and the king found out I had a relationship with both girls, they would fabricate some “evidence” and declare me guilty, I was sure of it.

Costin pressed a crumpled photo of Camila’s dead body into my hand. Blood soaked her long black dress and terror reflected in her lifeless, staring eyes. As I gazed at her, I realized she looked like Serenity.

“I wasn’t with her last night. I was with the Nephilim. Where was she found?”

He tilted his head. “In the alley behind the tavern.”

King Nico raised an eyebrow, his expression bored. “You say you were with the Nephilim? Bring her to us, Santi, so we may question her ourselves.”

I shook my head, my fists clenching angrily at the thought. No way in hell was I going to let them take her away from me. She was mine, and I would protect her with everything I had.

Costin locked eyes with me. “If you choose to not bring the Nephilim to us and another girl dies, you’ll pay the price, Angelo. Not your family. You personally. Do I make myself clear?”

Crystal clear. I would not only be at war with the wolves and the dark Fae, but with the born vampires, the king of the vampires, and Costin himself. My enemies kept mounting, leaving me with little chance of escape.

Chapter Thirteen

Serenity

After Angelo left, I didn’t have much choice but to roam around the library, especially with Jacques watching my every move. Curiosity welled up inside me to read these books and to actually learn about my heritage. Was I really descended from an angel? How was that even possible?

I plopped down in a chair and picked up the book Angelo claimed would answer my questions. It hummed, and I immediately dropped it onto the desk again.

Jacques’ brows furrowed as he studied me. “Is there anything wrong?”

I hesitated, unsure of how to explain. “The book…it’s…it’s humming.”

A petite woman with long, thick, black hair and deep green eyes came up behind Jacques. She cast an amused gazeover me, and I broke out in goosebumps. “So you’re the one everyone’s been talking about and why I was dragged here from my home?”

Jacques immediately got out of his chair. “Princess, you should be back in your room.”

I blinked. “Princess?”

The woman sat down across from me and rolled her eyes. “Such an exhausting title. They only call me that because I’m Angelo’s little sister. Gianna. Hi.”

Angelo had a sister? I guess vampires could have an actual family. I thought they just called each other that, but as I stared at her, I saw her eyes were the same shape and color as his. She was definitely related to him. I wondered if he had other family members that were vampires too.

Jacques frowned. “Princess, you really should?—”

She flicked her hand, as if accustomed to getting her way. “Leave us, Jacques. I want to get to know her.”

He let out an exasperated sigh. “I will not be far away.”

It amazed me that a big, muscular Mafia soldier obeyed such a petite woman. She definitely wielded her power well.

“Whatever,” she mumbled pettishly. She glanced down at the book in front of me. “Did I hear you say this book was humming? I’m not surprised. Some of the books are magical, and you need to be careful handling them. However, Angelo wouldn’t have given you anything to read unless he thought it was safe.”

I stared nervously atThe Celestial Hierarchy: A Compendium on Angels, not sure if I should pick it up again. It was bound in a supple, midnight-blue leather that had felt warm to the touch, as if holding the faintest pulse of life.The cover was embossed with intricate silver filigree images of various angels in flight, their forms shimmering with an ethereal glow when caught by the light.

She laughed. “Don’t worry. It won’t bite. Your name is Serenity, isn’t it? And you’re the one who healed Enzo?”

I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered quietly.

She gave me a sympathetic look. “You don’t have to fear me, Serenity. I’m a prisoner here, same as you.”

I tilted my head in shocked confusion. “What?”

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