Page 57 of The Darkest Night

“Surely, you don’t believe the Sorcerer King and the Dark Council will just roll over and play dead now that the Witch Queen is back in the land of the living?”

“Of course not.” Bryony pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why are you here, Vlad? As you can see, we’re a bit busy right now.”

She indicated the sleeping woman lying on the sofa, her head on his lap.

Vlad caressed Mae Jin’s cheek with a gentle finger. “I need to talk with my queen. I believe she has answers to some of my questions.”

“Don’t touch her!” Nikolai snarled.

Vlad met his stormy stare. “Or what, mongrel?” His tone turned mocking. “You should challenge me when you can suppress her powers like I just did. Otherwise, shut up and stay put.”

Frustration flashed in Nikolai’s eyes. Vlad smirked, aware his words had rung too close to home for the other man.

“Howdidyou suppress her powers?” Violet asked stiffly.

She was slightly flushed, as were most of the witches in the room bar Bryony. It took experience to resist his allure. Still, Vlad could tell Violet’s magic was almost strong enough to withstand the call of his blood.

Impressive. The Chicago coven has some powerful witches.

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out, little girl.”

Violet’s expression turned deadly. Vlad’s smile widened.

Mae stirred on his lap.

He stilled, his cold heart fluttering a little. Tarang looked at him curiously, no doubt sensing the rare emotion dancing through his soul.

It had been decades since someone had piqued his interest as much as the woman who was currently waking up as if she were the proverbial sleeping beauty. Desire warmed Vlad’s blood.

I can’t wait to make her mine.

* * *

Mae came aroundto the sound of low voices. Her head felt fuzzy, as if she hadn’t slept in days. Something warm pressed on her chest. She blinked.

Brimstone was curled up on her where she lay on a red Chesterfield sofa. He raised his head when he felt her rouse and licked her chin, his face sad. Hellreaver hummed anxiously against her breastbone, the weapon back in his pendant form.

Mae’s magic throbbed across her bond with them, a hot connection that seemed to bring them both comfort. She looked carefully to the right.

Bryony, Nikolai, and the others were sitting on the chairs and couches opposite. They were frowning and talking in an urgent tone. She couldn’t make out their words past the buzzing in her ears.

Mae’s stomach twisted with remorse when she saw the bruises on Nikolai’s throat.

Damn it. I lost control again.

She recalled what he’d said before her rage had swallowed her whole.

He must have a good reason for what he did. He wouldn’t have helped me otherwise, that night or today.

Rose’s face flashed before her eyes. Mae clenched her jaw.

She had a choice to make. She could either continue to blame Nikolai for her best friend’s death or she could elect to hold the circumstances and the people who had brought him to New York responsible for the horror that had been visited on Grandview the night he seemingly forced her soul awakening.

Judging by what he’d revealed about his awful past, the sorcerer must have known he was signing his own death warrant when he chose to oppose the Sorcerer King’s orders. That he had risked his own life to save hers was something she couldn’t ignore.

Brimstone’s gaze moved to something above her. He growled, exposing his fangs.

“Hi there,” someone said quietly.

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