Page 52 of Death Deals

“Masters has always been a bit of a mystery to me.”

You’re preaching to the choir, buddy.

“What about Hector and the others? What did they think about what happened with the Omaris?” I asked.

He sighed heavily, suddenly appearing more tired than he’d ever looked before. Maybe a little paler, too. “There were doubts, which is what to be expected. I’m sure the Omaris share them, but Hector has given his king the news, and he approves of what we’ve found. He also believes we should attend the Omaris’ New Year’s celebration.”

I scrambled to sit up. “Wait, what? You’re actually going to that thing?”

“Weare going, yes.”

“Oh no. Absolutely not.” I shook my head frantically. “I don’t do parties.”

“What do you mean you don’tdoparties?”

“Too many people. Endless small talk. Dancing…”

“But you said you were once an exotic dancer.”

“That’s different.”And something I didn’t want to talk about.

His brows pinched in the middle. “Queen Imani admires you,” he said.

“Or fears me.”

“Either way, you attending with us will help keep the peace.”

“Really? You’re guilt-tripping me?”

He smirked. “Is it working?”

It was.

I blew out a raspberry and rubbed the back of my shoulder. The muscles were incredibly tight back there and not because of the little bit of sparing with Ricky I’d done earlier.

“You know, the only reason why we survived that catastrophe in the theater was because I didn’t listen to you and used my power. I hope you don’t forget that,” I said.

He laughed. Wholeheartedly this time, his shoulders bouncing and his gray eyes sparkling. To see him finally relax and let go of that stiff demeanor—it was a freeing thing to witness. “Oh, I won’t.”

I pushed to my feet and walked over to the dresser. Making sure to pick a different drawer than the ones with the frilly undergarments in it, I ruffled through the clothes in there. “Fine, I’ll go. But then my side of the deal is done.”

“Agreed.”

When I pulled out a navy-blue T-shirt—the plainest thing I could find in the mix—I held it over my tank top. What did a person wear to a vampire party?

“Put that down,” Andre snapped. “You’ll be wearing a dress, like a proper lady.”

“Misogynist much?”

He shook his head and ripped the shirt out of my hand. “I’ve already had a few things picked out for you.”

I glared at him. “There’s no way inhellI’m wearing a dress.”

“You can pick your favorite from the selection I’ve made.”

“I’m sorry, but are you deaf? No dresses.”

His brow rose, his expression reminding me of the moment he threatened to pick me up and carry me onto the plane.Try me.

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