Page 55 of Trapped By Vengeance

“No one is to harm Konrad,” I order all of them. “He’s my quarry, and I won’t take kindly to any of you touching him.”

They fall silent, and I turn back to myvater, who is beaming with pride. “You are coming into your power so brilliantly, my jewel.”

Smiling, I curtsy. “Thank you,Vater.”

He gestures for me to move closer, and I do.

Vater cups my face with his large hand. “I’m trying so hard to give you everything my own sire wasn’t able to providefor me.”

“You’ve been the perfect father and sire,” I answer, leaning into his touch. “But after my little adventure, I find I want more than staying within these walls, always bettering myself. I want toexperiencemy afterlife, too. I want to see more of Constantinium than your shadow, though I love it well.”

He sighs, caressing my cheek. “But it is such a dangerous world out there. Even knowing you are dangerous now, I have been so worried. Especially after that ransom note, though I knew it had to be part of your ploy.”

I nod. “I understand why you sheltered me before. But I’m not a child anymore. Nor am I mortal.”

Vaterlooks past me to the Old Bloods. They all excuse themselves to the opposite end of the room. Then he turns back to me. “But you are still vulnerable by night, as are we all. Even if I took time from my underworld empire to travel with you, even I am bound to the estrie curse. And you ran off before I could finish assembling the mortal party who was supposed to travel with you during this hunt and keep you safe.”Vaternarrows his eyes.

“Mortals would only have impeded my hunt,” I answer. “But Konrad could keep up with me. And he’s already proven he can take care of me.”

He drops his hand. “What are you suggesting?”

“Konrad is a mercenary. He goes on adventures for coin . . .”

It’s been a very long time sinceVaterhas looked surprised, and I think his face forgot how to display the emotion, so he looks like some fool just slapped him. “You’re asking me to hire your quarry to be your bodyguard?”

“And my guide to Constantinium. Aswellas my living source of werwölfeblood. And if I ever change my mind, his heart would still be right there for the taking.”

Vaterleans back in his chair and folds his fingers. He’s considering my offer, but his gaze is just a little too sharp. “And there’s no other reason I should be aware of?”

I do my best to banish all potential tells from my face and posture. “He has a daughter, so she’s a built-in chaperone, and you wouldn’t even have to hire an additional person.”

He sighs heavily. “I spoiled you too much raising you, didn’t I?”

“I’d say you spoiled me just enough.” Leaning forward, I kiss him on the temple.

“Very well.”Vatersighs again. “Pursue your quarry. Tell him I would like to hire him, and if he agrees, he can be your pet for a while. Something to amuse you for the first part of your eternity, at least. There is no rush, I suppose, with eternity on our side.”

Kissing him again, I give him a half hug before pulling back.

“And when you grow bored, you know the Ritual.”

To make him a thrall so he can continue to live alongside me? Yes, I do. I just need the time to convince him to convince him to take that course of action.

But I’m an estrie. Time is one thing we have.

“Go.”Vaterturns away and waves a hand like he’s tired of me, even though I know he’s hiding a smile so he can seem stern to his men. “Pursue your quarry already. And if the chase draws your predator instincts to the forefront, just be sure to save some blood for your Uncle Theoden.”

“Of course,Vater. I love you.”

Then, not wasting another moment, I return to my hunt.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Konrad

I’m not sure I’ve ever run so fast as a mortal or as a wolf. All I know is I blink and I’m back in the bedroom I started the evening in, which is a tower room with no clear exit.

When I thought Valda was going to be the death of me, I didn’t think it would be so literal.

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