Page 106 of Heat of the Everflame

My curiosity lured me out from behind Luther as the man pushed the bookshelf until it clicked back into place, its grooves disappearing behind strategically placed moulding.

“Forgive my delay.” The man stopped to fluff the bouquet of flowers on the table before perching on the side of a settee, arm draped across its back. “After you soloudlydemanded to see the Jaguar, I couldn’t risk anyone seeing me come to you.”

Luther didn’t move. “Have we met?”

“A long time ago. I can’t blame you for forgetting. We were both much younger then.” He pulled off the gold collar from his neck, revealing a cruel scar encircling his throat. “Perhaps you’ll remember this.”

“Blessed Kindred...” Luther dropped his grip on his blades. “You survived.”

The man nodded. “Thanks to you.”

“I asked what became of you, but I never got a straight answer. I thought you’d died and Margie was keeping it from me to spare me the guilt.”

“You should have known better. Miss Margie was never one to spare anyone’s feelings.” The man’s smile was fond, yet tinged with sadness. “She found homes for the others, but I was too old and too wounded, so she raised me herself.”

“So that’s why you took over after she died,” Luther mused. “I’m sorry for your loss. Margie was an incredible woman.”

The man’s lips tightened. A buried hurt surfaced for the briefest moment before he shrugged and gave a graceful flick of his hand. “As she always said, no sense weeping over the past. She’s gone, and I’m in charge now.”

He rose and strode lithely toward us, one hand extended. “Zalaric Hanoverre. Pleasure to meet you again.”

Luther gripped his hand, brows rising. “You use your sire’s name?”

His eyes gleamed with defiance. “Is that not my birthright?”

“If House Hanoverre discovers that you survived and are living in Umbros—”

“Then it could put you in danger?”

“It could putyouin danger. The Hanoverres are ruthless when it comes to their bloodline.”

“I’m aware,” Zalaric said dryly, tapping his scar. “Don’t worry, I’m careful about revealing my name to protect us both. But if my darling family does find me...” He gave a bitter smile and conjured a ring of sizzling sparks. “I’ve got my own score to settle with House Hanoverre.”

That makes two of us, I thought to myself with a smirk.I like him already.

His face whipped to me. “And you are...?”

“None of your concern,” Luther clipped, stepping back in front of me. “And she was just about to retire for a rest.” He turned to face me with a pointed, urgent look. “Weren’t you,cousin?”

I shot him a glare, my temper prickling at being shoved to the side.

Luther’s nostrils flared. He leaned in, whispering, “We can’t risk him getting a good look at you—at least not until after he’s booked our passage home.”

Though I wasn’t ready to let go of my unexplainable urge to seek out the Umbros Queen, even I was not reckless enough to have thatargument here and now. I scowled, pulled my hood back up, and skulked off to one of the side chambers, feeling both their gazes burn into my back as I left.

Once inside, I pulled the door until it was barely ajar. I curled up on the floor, then pressed my face into the narrow opening to watch.

“You don’t trust me,” Zalaric observed, sounding amused.

“You locked me in, then trapped me with your shield. Are those the acts of a trustworthy man?”

“Letting you wander all over Umbros asking for the Jaguar would only bring trouble on us both. Besides, I felt your aura. I knew you could defeat my shield, if you truly needed to leave.” He gave Luther a slow once-over. “How did you do it, anyway?”

“Pierce your shield? Surely you know how that’s done.”

“It was more than that. You were draining my magic right out of me. Here in Umbros, we’ve got every type of magic that exists in Emarion—but I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Luther played the lie well, crossing his arms and feigning a smug pride.

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