Page 75 of Shadowed Fate

Lochan's head whips towards Tiernan, eyes flashing. "At least I'm letting my cock think for me."

I shake my head. Lochan’s always been pig-headed, but he’s outdoing himself when it comes to Brigid. And I’m tired of playing peacemaker, it's not my natural inclination. I’m more of a ‘stir shit up and watch them dance’ kind of guy.

“Figure it out,” I tell him as I stand up and leave.

I walk out of the dining hall, frustration simmering beneath my skin. Fucking Lochan and his stubborn—

A body collides with mine, hard curves pressing against my chest. The scent of sickly sweet flowers and something more metallic, like copper, assaults my senses.

Laria.

She looks up at me through hooded eyes, a coy smile playing on her blood-red lips. "Oh, Callen." Her hands linger on my arms. "I didn't see you there."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"After you," I say coolly, stepping back. Her hands fall away, but her gaze remains locked on me, hungry and desperate.

"You seem tense," Laria murmurs, closing the distance between us again. Her fingers trail up my chest. "I could help you... relax."

I grab her wrist, my grip firm but not bruising. "Not interested."

Her smile falters, a glint of anger in her eyes. "Come on, don't be like that. We used to have a lot of fun together."

"Used to," I emphasize, releasing her hand. "Past tense."

Laria's expression hardens, all pretense of seduction dropping away. "It's because of her, isn't it? That little shadow bitch."

I feel my jaw tense. "Watch your fucking mouth, Laria.”

"Or what?" Laria sneers. "You'll sic your shadow bitch on me? Please. She's nothing but a cheap fuck, Callen. A distraction."

My fingers twitch, longing to wrap around her throat. But I keep my voice calm, cold. "Careful, Laria. You're treading on dangerous ground."

She opens her mouth, another insult no doubt ready to spill from her lips, but something in my expression makes her pause. A moment of uncertainty crosses her face.

Good. She needs to remember who she's dealing with.

I lean towards her. "Trash like you doesn’t deserve a warning, but since I don’t feel like getting my hands dirty today you’re getting one. The next time you mess with Brigid, you mess with me. And you really don’t want to do that. Remember who I am, Laria.”

I pull back, meeting her gaze. Her eyes are wide and I can smell her fear, sharp and unpleasant.

"If I hear one more word about Brigid from your mouth," I continue, my voice low, "I'll personally ensure you regret it. And trust me, darling, I can be very creative."

Laria swallows hard, her throat working. I watch the movement with interest.

I smile, and I know it’s more terrifying than if I’d bared my teeth.

She takes a step back, then another, her bravado quickly fading.

"She'll be your downfall," Laria sneers.

I laugh, the sound bouncing in the empty hallway. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

Laria turns and stalks away, her heels clicking furiously against the stone. I watch her go, my smile fading.Fucking vampires. Always so dramatic.

I run a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. That little confrontation was annoying. But I have bigger problems to deal with. Like how the fuck I'm going to fix this mess with Brigid.

I lean against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. I've played my part well, perhaps too well. The charming manipulator, the cunning prince. But at what cost?

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