Page 21 of Royal Ransom

“You can still opt out, Tally. Basil and I will go. I’ll get Cain back or I’ll die trying.”

Which was almost as horrific as the thought of never coming back to my boys. I’d never thought I’d love again after the whole heartbreaking ordeal with Jonathan. But, as cheesy as it sounded, Mav had convinced me that love was still worth fighting for. Sometimes you found someone who perfectly complemented your crazy, who took your damage in stride, and tried to help you build something better with what you had left to give.

“I’m not ducking out, Mav. If anyone is going to die for my brother, it’ll be me. But let’s stick with the plan where no one dies, okay?”

Mav nodded, but not like he was agreeing with me. We both knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Someone was going to get hurt, no matter how we went about this. Probably us.

“I love you,” I said quietly. “I want you to know that, just in case.”

His full mouth quirked into a small, superior smirk. “Oh, admit it. You were head over heels for me from the moment we met.”

I snorted a laugh. “Yeah, when I had to peel you off a barstool after you’d had one too many. That was kismet.”

Mav’s free hand came up to cup my face gently. I leaned into the warmth of his hand with a contented sigh. He pressed his forehead to mine. His breath smelled like chocolate. I wanted to lean up and capture his lips, to drink him down like a decadentdessert.

“You’re the very best thing in my life, Tally,” he whispered. “I’m not going to let you go without a fight.”

I smiled sadly. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

Chapter Thirteen

Taliyah

Maverick, Astrid, and I arrived at Basil’s classroom door by midnight, as per his instructions.

The campus was bustling, even at that late hour, with night class students streaming to and from their classes. I could easily spot the occasional human on Guy Velardi’s payroll among the monsters. There was a sense of mortality that clung to them. The monsters weren’t as careful at night, with some of the incubi allowing their horns or tails to show at odd moments. With any luck, they’d put it down to an odd fashion choice. But if it kept up, I was going to have to start issuing citations. No flashing your demon bits in public.

The night was cold, but I was snugly wrapped in a beige cardigan that my mom had crocheted for me the previous Christmas. It was a few sizes too big, hanging nearly down to the backs of my knees. But it warded off the chill, and it smelled like my childhood home. I was going to need all the comfort I could get, considering where we were headed.

“I want to come with you,” Astrid said, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she walked. Some of the students raised a hand to greet her, and she smiled back, as though nothing was amiss.

“Absolutely not,” Maverick said at the same time I said, “Not a chance. Having you play bait while under heavy guard is already stretching my sanity to the breaking point.”

Astrid’s enthusiasm dimmed for a moment. She crossed her arms over her chest in the trademark move of petulant teens everywhere. She was technically closer to twenty, but thanks to a predatory teacher, she’d always look like a teenager.

“I could go with you. There are other people who could pose as Tally. And I’m a lot better at using my powers now.”

“And they’d be a dead giveaway in winter,” I said. “I’m gladyou want to help. Maybe another time you can. But if we go at Janara directly, she’s going to mow us down. I’m not putting you in danger, Astrid.”

“But I could help!”

Mav rounded on his sister, fixing her with an absolutely chilling stare. Astrid stuttered to a stop, shocked out of her easy gait by the intensity of his displeasure.

“You are done putting yourself in any more danger, Astrid. Twice was too many.”

“You’re not my dad,” she shot back angrily, redoubling her pace in a fit of pique. Mav and I had to jog to catch up, despite having several inches on her. Vampire speed was a hell of a thing.

The campus Scarlett had constructed on short notice looked nothing like the dreary stone castle I’d visited before. Blood Rose had been dragged into the twenty-first century kicking and screaming, but here it would remain. The halls were made of black and white tile instead of cold stone. Some of the milder statues of angels and striking succubi in their half-dressed human forms had been transplanted, but most of the old-world mystique was absent, which suited me fine. I hated pretentious people and places.

When we finally turned the corner into Basil’s classroom, I burst out laughing. Basil wore a pair of billowy silver pants paired with a vest only a shade or two lighter—he looked like a genie. Most of his chest was visible, and I had to admit itwasa nice chest. His hair had faded from dark brown to just a few shades off white. Maverick’s dark hair had resisted the spells and potions, ending up a slate gray instead.

Astrid’s face turned an interesting shade of pink when she spotted her teacher dressed like a risqué version of Aladdin’s genie. She turned around hastily to avoid staring. If I’d been younger or single, the sight might have flustered me too.

“Did you forget to tell us you were auditioning for Puck inA Midsummer Night’s Dreamlater?” Mav asked.

Basil fiddled with the golden buttons on the vest, wearing a wry smile. The gold was the only color in the otherwise monochrome ensemble.

“It is rather silly-looking, isn’t it? But Janara is one for tradition.”

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