Page 113 of Fated In Blood

Twice with Riordan and once with Blake, and what were the chances I could be pregnant? My hand drifted over my stomach, something Blake, glowering at me from the other side of the room like an ancient gargoyle, didn’t miss.

What Ishouldbe focusing on was the fact my family beat me half to death, then used me as bait, and now I had a magical tracking device branded onto my skin, but no, those were not my biggest concerns.

“The fucker will sell us out, just wait and see,” Blake muttered darkly. His nostrils had flared the moment we’d appeared, those brown eyes glinting as he’d gazed between us, nothing but condemnation on his face. That’s when I’d gone and thrown up.

“He’ll play us against each other and when the dust settles, don’t be surprised that arrogant, pompous bastard will be the only one left standing.”

I hated to admit it, but I agreed with Blake.

“What made you involve him in the first place?” I asked, desperate to get my mind off Riordan’s magic tongue and onto something that actuallymattered. “I know from experience—take Vincent, for example—that sometimes you have to compromise to get the job done, but Malachi seems like a last resort kind of option.”

“See, that’s what I said.” Blake crossed his arms over his chest, which only put his perfectly cut biceps on full display. “Evenshesees the bastard for what he is.”

“I wasagreeingwith you, in case you didn’t notice, asshole,” I snapped. “And for the record, he said you promised to give me to him when this was over. I’m not a fucking present to be regifted, and if you so much as try to follow through, I will cut off your balls.”

Blake swallowed, looking like he was going to have a fucking aneurysm. “That was only to get him the fuck out of Riordan’s office. I would never…”

“Right,” I muttered.

I was pissed at Blake all over again, and I wasn’t even sure why. Probably because I was getting whiplash at his ever-changing moods.

“Malachi wasn’t our call,” Riordan spat the name out like it tasted foul. “And Blake had no intention of ever giving you to that fucking bastard.

“He showed up in Thorndale after a century in exile. He’d already made contact with Tyrell, offering to break the blood oath. Then he came to Crimson House and made us a counteroffer. For ten million, he’d sell Laurent out and give usa way inside the castle. We’d finally have an opportunity to rid ourselves of Tyrell.”

“So Malachi shows up out of the blue and offers two sworn enemies the one thing you each wanted most?” I asked. “He really does know how to play people against each other, doesn’t he? I shook my head. “Ten million…dollars?” I repeated, trying to wrap my head around such a staggeringly huge ask.

“Ten million or he’d break the blood oath and hand over the Nocturne Clan to a monster. When my sire died, I did everything I could to protect my people from Tyrell’s excesses and keep as many of them safe as I could manage.”

“He’s protected the humans, too,” Blake pointed out evenly, without looking at me, of course. “We’ve been playing a very high-stakes game of chess with Tyrell for years. A lot of lives hang in the balance.”

Yeah, painting Riordan as some noble warrior didn’t work for me, not when I knew better.

“Malachi’s given us two days before he breaks the oath, so we’re on a tight schedule. Once he’s won Tyrell’s trust, he’ll send word, but I expect we won’t have much time to get you in place to provide the distraction.”

“Yeah, about my part in this.” I rubbed my hands together. “There’s something you should know about the?—”

“Now that you mention it, there’s somethingI’dlike to know.” Blake’s eyes flashed.

“Stop right there, Blake,” Riordan hissed. “Stop. Focus on the plan and how to sneak Silver past the revenants and into the castle unseen so we can finish this.”

“Fuck the plan.” The stubborn asshole plowed on ahead. “I want to know how long you’ve known Malachi, little slayer?”

I was so surprised, it took a second for the question to fully register. “I…I…today? I never met him before today.” Blakecrossed his arms over his chest and fury pounded through my veins at thatlookon his face.

I crossed my own arms. “Why don’tyoutell me how long you think I’ve known him, Blake, since you haveallthe answers?”

45

BLAKE

Why did Evangeline have to feed from Malachi Draven, of all people? Blood pounded in my temples as I imagined hunting him down and tearing his treacherous, lying head from his traitorous body with my bare hands while she watched, just toproveI was the better male.

Jealousy raged through my veins like a marauding army, crushing down everything in its path.

Logic.

Common sense.

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