Page 52 of Promised in Blood

Osiris runs a hand through his beard. “We should alert the heads of the other societies.”

“What if I am wrong?” Enora asks.

Alexandros’s dark eyes narrow. “Are you?”

She presses her lips together and shakes her head.

The Skotádi are here?Malachi asks.

Is this because of me? Because of what I am?Ophelia asks in a quiet, sad voice.

Alexandrossucks on his top lip, his brow furrowed the way it does when he’s thinking, but he still takes the time to reassure her.This is not your fault, little one.

Is Ophelia in danger?I ask.

His jaw tenses. “Perhaps we should keep your findings between us for the time being, Enora. There is no sense causing panic when we have no way of knowing for sure who or whatis behind this. It could be a rogue Skotádi attack or something more sinister.”

Osiris folds his arms across his chest. “We need to also consider why they tried to frame you for this crime.”

Enora dabs at her cheeks with the back of her hand. “And why they targeted Meg. She was such a sweet girl. Not overly powerful, but a promising young witch.”

“Who found the girl?” Alexandros asks.

Enora looks to Ophelia, sorrow clouding her features. “Her roommate. Cadence,” she says softly.

Ophelia’s sob fills the room before she covers her mouth with her hand. Malachi pulls her closer and murmurs words of comfort in her ear.

It was not your fault, Ophelia, Alexandros repeats, and she nods, letting him know she understands. But whether she believes him is another matter. I wish I could take all her anguish away, and I hate that I can’t. This feeling of powerlessness is unnatural and unwelcome.

Alexandros clears his throat. “Did she witness any of what happened?”

“She saw nothing that would help. She woke to find Meg dead and summoned me immediately. She is a bright young witch. She dealt with everything admirably, but she was understandably distraught. I gave her something to make her sleep. She will be out for a few hours.”

He sucks on his top lip, deep in thought. “She will need to forget what she saw.”

Enora nods her agreement. “That would probably be for the best.”

Ophelia looks between the two of them, her eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “And how will you make her forget?”

I already know she’s not going to like the answer.

Enora stares at the professor, blinking. “To make her forget such an event, one that leaves an indelible mark on a person… You are the only one powerful enough to do such a thing.”

He looks back at her for a few seconds before he gives a nod. “I will ensure it is done.”

Ophelia jumps up, her pretty cheeks pink. “Are you going to bite her?”

“It is the only way to ensure she recalls nothing of this morning. To ensure her safety.”And yours, Ophelia,he adds through our bond.

“No. You can’t bite her. She’s my friend,” she shouts, and while it’s clear her overriding emotion is compassion for her friend, she’s unable to mask the tiny flicker of jealousy sparking within her. And that has my dick twitching to life.

Enora’s brow furrows. “She will not come to any harm, Ophelia. A vampire’s bite can be very pleasurable.”

Despite the circumstances, I suppress a snort. Yeah, our girl knows that, Professor, which is part of the reason she’s acting out.

“Ophelia.” Her name leaves Alexandros’s lips on a heavy sigh. “This is simply to?—”

“What is she going to think happened to Meg?” She crosses her arms over her chest and taps her foot on the floor. “That she just upped and decided to leave?”

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