Page 44 of Death Deals

“A DeMonte Lord lurking in our territory,” she began, her words saturated with an old-world accent. “You must have a death wish.”

Andre didn’t respond. He was deep in thought, lines appearing around his tightly pressed lips. Trying to figure out a way to get us out of here alive? Most likely.

I considered our options. Right away, I could see there weren’t many to choose from.

There was no way we could fight off so many vamps. Using my power could leave me completely useless or even dead if I wasn’t careful. Our only hope was that Queen Imani hadn’t killed us right away. That had to mean something, right?

Imani extended her hand, gesturing to someone waiting in the wings. Slowly, Cornelius emerged from the shadows and walked across the stage. In our short time apart, he’d regained a healthier color and plumpness to his skin and had changed into another crisp white suit. As he took his place on his queen’s other side, he met my gaze. His lips were a bright red, and I suddenly felt queasy knowing it was from a recent feeding. He’d have to have drank a lot to replenish what he’d lost during the torture.

The torture the DeMontes and Perezes had done to him and that Imani now knew about.

This couldn’t be good.

“Theonlyreason you’re still breathing is because of your claim’s kindness after you and the Perezes showed him no such thing,” Imani’s voice boomed in the vast chamber. “I’m allowing you five minutes to plead your case to me.”

When neither Andre or I answered fast enough, she added, “I should add that my brothers and sisters have surrounded the Grand Piazza and are awaiting orders to slaughter every living soul inside.”

My chest squeezed with panic. This just got a lot messier. Especially if word got back to the DeMontes’ and Perezes’ kings. It could cause all-out warfare.

“Five. Minutes.” She made sure to emphasize each word.

Beside me, Andre bowed his head in respect. “Queen Imani, we’re here—”

“No, not you,” she spat, then raised a pointed nail at me. “Her.”

“M-Me?” Oh no. No, no, no. My mouth would only get us killed faster.

Andre must have been thinking the same thing because he said, “As my claim, I’m responsible for her—”

She cut him off again, this time with more venom. “Don’t explain the ancient laws to me,boy. I’ve been living them for close to a millennium.”

Holy shit. Queen Imani was almost a thousand years old? I couldn’t even wrap my head around that.

Andre clamped his mouth closed and glanced my way.

“From what I am told,” Imani began, “your power over her only extends so far, and it’s a short leash you hold. Otherwise, she would’ve never set Cornelius free. She did that on her own, so she can speak for herself.”

With a rigid spine, he sat back in his chair. Dismissed.

Still not sure what to do or say, I stayed frozen in place.

“Speak!”

I jumped to my feet and the vampires beside me jerked forward, ready to grab me if I tried anything funny. Imani waved for them to take their seats again. They did.

“Uh, hi there. My name’s Jade. Jade Blackwell, and as you know I’m Andre’s…claimor whatever.” God, I was bad at this. It reminded me of my sad attempts of small talk whenever trying to cross a spirit over. I was terrible at it then, and I was still terrible at it.

Imani’s eyes narrowed on me. “Five minutes,” she warned.

“R-Right.” I peeked down at Andre whose jaw was clenched so hard, I was shocked none of his teeth chipped. “Yes, well, the entire reason we’re in your territory is for an attempt at some kind of agreement. A peace agreement. Both families have come together to extend an olive branch to you.”

“Lies,” the man with the dreadlocks spat. “They’ve come to destroy us.”

“Oh, yeah. A dozen vamps against your” —I glanced around the room, mentally tallying the bodies I found watching us, and lost count— “Your hundred? I’m sure there are more lurking around in the shadows. There always are.”

A smile teased the edges of Imani’s mouth.

I took it as a good sign, so I continued. “I’m no expert on this vampire business by any means, but even I know that’s suicide.”

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