Page 69 of The Baritone's Rival

“I know that they were breaking into the Canarsie covenhouse tonight.” Trent puffed his chest up, trying to convey confidence, but his tapping foot betrayed his worry. “Something is wrong. I can tell.”

Anthony frowned, holding up a finger indicating that Trent should wait, and closed his eyes. Trent leaned against a sturdy bookshelf, his arms crossed. The air of the covenhouse was coldagainst his skin. Figured. Vampires didn’t exactly need central heating.

Anthony’s eyes popped open. “Something went wrong. Freddie’s on his way back. He said he’ll explain when he gets here. Twenty minutes.”

The ache in Trent’s chest was not soothed by Anthony’s words. The bond tugged even harder on him. So far, he’d completely failed at locating his mate, and the frustration was compounding his worry.

“Let me talk to Justin.”

“What?” Anthony stood. “I can’t?—”

“Anthony. Let me talk to Justin.”

Anthony stared at Trent for a long moment, then nodded. He led Trent wordlessly through the halls of the covenhouse. Although the place had a boring, industrial design in its bones, it was teeming with art. Trent appreciated the color and texture, even if it was a bit cluttered.

They arrived at the last apartment on the left. Unlike some of the others, it didn’t sport any decoration. Anthony knocked, and the door opened.

Justin did not look good. His blonde hair was disheveled, and his once-smooth face was lined with worry. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. Strangely, he wasn’t wearing his signature pajama pants, dressed instead in a pair of baggy cargos and a sleeveless t-shirt. His eyes widened as he saw Trent, and he took a step back.

Trent stretched out his arms, palms out, in a calming gesture.

“It’s okay. I want to talk.”

Justin’s eyes darted to Anthony, who gave a slight nod. Justin sighed and stepped out of the way to let Trent enter, chewing at his bottom lip.

Not too far from the entrance to the apartment was a pristine kitchen with a small black table and four chairs. Trent sat atone without prompting. Justin took the seat across from him, trepidation written on his face.

Trent understood why Justin was anxious. After all, Trent had almost died because of the vampire’s betrayal. But Trent knew the reasons behind it, and he couldn’t say that he wouldn’t do the same thing in that position. He was inclined to give Justin a chance to redeem himself.

“Why…why are you here?” Justin squeezed out the question in a ragged whisper.

“Oscar is in some kind of danger. I don’t know what.” Trent’s eyes welled up, but he blinked the possibility of tears away. It wasn’t the time.

“Oh…” Justin rubbed at his face. “I never…I never intended for him to get hurt.”

“No. Only me.” Trent didn’t put any malice into the words. It was a statement of fact.

“I…” Instead of finishing the sentence, Justin just nodded. An expression of absolute defeat came over his face.

“And once I was dead, what then?” Trent kept his voice even.

“What?”

“What was supposed to happen next?”

“My Aunt Lavinia would be released.” Justin swallowed. “And Oscar would go with Elliott. Elliott said that Oscar was his mate, so I thought they’d be happy, even if he didn’t want it at first. It’s not like…”

Trent cocked his head, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s not like Oscar ever really looked atmethat way, anyway. Romantically. It was better that he be with Elliott. Somewhere not near me.”

Trent sat in his stillness, waiting for more. He didn’t hate the young vampire. He’d grown up around worse. But if Justin didn’t understand the gravity of what he’d done, he couldn’t be trusted going forward.

“I…I’m sorry, Trent. I didn’t want you to die,” Justin continued, wringing his hands as he spoke. “I really didn’t. But my aunt…she’s the only family I have. The only real family, anyway. I can’t let them kill her.”

“No.” Trent’s gaze locked onto Justin’s eyes. He projected as much confident determination as he could manage. “You shouldn’t. And we’ll get her out. But you can’t sacrifice other people for that to happen. And you can’t trade on Oscar’s future. He may not love you, but he is your friend, and you are his. His best friend, I think.”

A strangled sound burst from Justin as the dam broke, and tears ran down his face.

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