Page 59 of The Darkest Night

Mae squinted. “A cambion?”

The blond smiled. “The offspring of an incubus and a human. My father was a demon and my mother a witch. My name is Vlad Vissarion.” His pupils flashed crimson. “You and I are the same, my queen.”

Chapter 29

Mae’s heartthundered violently against her ribs at his claim.

“I do not know the name of the one who sired me,” Vlad drawled. “But my power is comparable to yours.”

He raised his right index finger. A small, crimson ball flashed into life above it.

Mae’s eyes widened.That’s—

Brimstone’s voice sounded in her head.Demonic magic. And powerful, at that.The fox’s tone turned thoughtful.His father must be a formidable incubus and his mother an equally impressive witch.

Mae studied the blond guardedly. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him yet.

“Vlad is also the heir of the leader ofChernyye D’Yavoly, or theBlack Devilsas they’re more commonly known,” Bryony explained. “My coven and the High Council have had dealings with them in the past.”

Mae’s stomach flip-flopped. She could see her shock reflected on Nikolai’s face. TheBlack Devilswere the biggest Russian crime syndicate not just on the East Coast, but in the whole of the U.S. They were equal to the originalBratvasof Europe.

“We know each other from way back.” Vlad grinned at Bryony. “Don’t we, my dear?”

The witch murmured something rude under her breath.

A lightheaded feeling came over Mae. So much had happened already that day and she was struggling to process it all.

“Why don’t we get some lunch while we talk?” Bryony suggested. “It’s going to get cold.”

Mae noted the carts and serving staff by the dining table. She met the older witch’s sympathetic gaze, grateful.

It wasn’t until they sat down and she found herself squashed between Vlad and Nikolai that she realized she’d just leapt from the pan into the fire. The animosity between the two men practically made the air sizzle as the waiters started dishing out the food.

Violet smirked at her from across the way.

Mae narrowed her eyes. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Violet’s smug smile widened. “You gotta admit, that’s quite a catch you’ve got there.” She cocked her head to the side. “A demon to the right. A sorcerer to the left. It’s like a sandwich of sin and debauchery.”

Miles chortled and stabbed his beef with his knife and fork.

Vlad and Nikolai eyed them coldly.

“I’m sure Mae doesn’t feel that way.” Bryony tucked her napkin on her lap, her expression disapproving. “Why don’t you two hotheads back off and give her some space?” she told Vlad and Nikolai gruffly. “The poor girl is probably starving.”

Mae’s stomach grumbled loudly on cue. It had been several hours since breakfast. The tension between Vlad and Nikolai abated as they settled down and everyone tucked into their lunch.

Mae noted the other familiars keeping well away from the floor space to the right while she ate. Brimstone and Tarang had reached an uneasy truce where they sat chowing down on the meat the coven staff had brought them, Hellreaver wolfing down his steaks between them like he hadn’t just consumed a cartful load of the stuff a mere hour ago.

What a glutton.

Hellreaver shot a shameless look her way.

Mae sneaked a peek at Vlad. He’d barely batted an eyelid when the medallion had shifted to his true form a short while back.

This guy really has nerves of steel.

She finished her plate and eyed the food carts.

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