Page 72 of Chains of Blood and Darkness

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to demand answers from him. The mysterious power radiating from him only added to the growing list of inexplicable events that had transpired since Serenity’s arrival. But as much as I wanted to unravel all his secrets, I knew that time was of the essence.

My heartrate spiked as I thought of Serenity, still vulnerable and weakened by the stone’s power. The memory of her lifeless body in my arms was still painfully fresh, and the fear of losing her again gnawed at my insides like a ravenous beast.

“Listen, Costin,” I hissed, my voice low and urgent. “I don’t have time for games. Serenity is up there, and I need to make sure she’s all right. If there’s something you know, something that can help us, you need to tell me now.”

He regarded me silently for a moment, his expression unreadable. His lips curved into a thin, enigmatic smile. “Indeed, Angelo. There are forces at work here that you cannot begin to comprehend. Forces that were already in motion long before you or I walked this earth.” With those cryptic words, he started to head for the exit.

“I don’t care about ancient forces or hidden agendas,” I growled, taking a step toward Costin. “All I care about is protecting the people I love. Right now, that means protecting Serenity. So either help me or get out of my way.”

Costin’s lips twitched, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “Very well, Angelo. Go to your Nephilim. But know that this is only the beginning. The path ahead is fraught with danger, and the choices you make will have far-reaching consequences.” Then he bowed slightly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must return to the academy.” He strode out the door, his heels loud in the foyer.

I shut the door after Costin left and turned to Keir. “All right. Why are you here? Do you have news on who has been murdering the girls?”

“No…but I do have news about Jacques’ death.” Keir’s words hung in the air, a mixture of solemnity and smug self-satisfaction in his tone.

I exchanged a wary glance with Enzo; the ache of Jacques’ death was still raw in our hearts.

“And?” I prompted testily.

“My sources tell me there’s a new player in town,” Keir continued, his eyes sparkling. “Someone who has a score to settle.”

My muscles tensed as I fought to keep my frustration in check. I fixed Keir with a hard stare as I leaned forward, invading his personal space. “My patience is wearing thin, Keir,” I growled, my lips curling back slightly and baring my fangs. “If you have information, just spit it out.”

Keir leaned forward, his voice lowered conspiratorially. “I’ve discovered that you have a traitor among your people, Angelo. Someone within your own organization is responsible for Jacques’ death.”

My blood ran cold. A traitor in the Santi family? The thought was almost too much to bear. I looked at Enzo and saw my own shock and disbelief mirrored in his eyes.

“A traitor?” I echoed blankly.

“Yes. Someone close to you, someone you trust, has been working against you,” Keir continued, his tone grave. “Mysources suggest this person’s ultimate goal is to take over the Santi family, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that end.”

A sickening wave of anger and betrayal washed over me. The idea that one of my own would turn against me, against the family, was a blow that struck at the very heart of everything I held dear.

Enzo, ever pragmatic, jumped in. “Do you have any proof of this, Keir? And any idea who the traitor might be?”

Keir shook his head. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. I thought it was important to bring this to your attention as soon as possible, so you could take the necessary precautions.”

My mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. Who among my trusted inner circle would be capable of such treachery? And how long had this betrayal been going on right under my nose?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage boiling within me. “Are you going to tell me the name of this source?”

He chuckled. “No. But they’re very reliable. The threat of torture and possible death tends to be effective.”

He wasn’t wrong. The dark Fae were notorious torturers. The threat of being subjected to their methods would send even the toughest vampire into hiding.

Serenity’s sweet face swam in front of my eyes, and my gut tightened. “I have one more question, Keir. Does this involve?—”

Keir cut me off. “Your Nephilim? Yes. I’d keep her close,Angelo. My informant hinted that if the Nephilim was captured, it would be the end of your reign.”

My heart clenched at the thought of Serenity being used as a pawn in this twisted game. I would do anything to keep her out of this and safe from those who sought to harm her.

“We’ll need to investigate these allegations fully,” I said, my jaw clenching so hard I could feel my teeth grinding together. I took a deep breath, trying to rein in the white-hot rage charging through my veins. “We can’t let the traitor know we’re onto them.” The vein in my temple started throbbing from the barely contained fury that threatened to consume me.

Enzo nodded in agreement. “We’ll have to be observant, watch for any whiff of disloyalty or suspicious behavior.”

Uncovering the traitor could be difficult, and a sense of unease gripped me like a fist as one name kept coming to mind—Dimitri. The thought of confronting him, of accusing him of betrayal, filled me with a sense of dread. It would put me at odds with my sister again too. She would never forgive me. But if he was the one responsible for Jacques’ death and represented a threat to Serenity, I knew I would have to face him, no matter the cost. I didn’t shrink from my responsibilities. That’s why I was head of this family.

I turned back to Keir, my voice low and dangerous. “If your information is true, Keir, and it leads us to the traitor, I’ll be in your debt. But if this is just some attempt to sow discord within my family, you’ll wish you’d never set foot in New Orleans.”

---