Page 26 of Barely Breathing

For some reason, this causes him to laugh again.

“You are a long way from your penthouse tower,little princess. I’m surprised Mommy and Daddy let you out to play.” He slowly stands. The motion is full of power as his golden eyes gleam with savage pride. “Here, we don’t pretend to be something we’re not. No fancy etiquette or little niceties you elites love so much. You are not pleased to meet me, just as I am not pleased to have your escort the vampire king in my court.”

I look up at Costin, who says nothing as he holds himself tense. I notice the noise has lessened, and the werewolves are watching us. The beasts are doing nothing to hide their animosity toward him. He keeps his eyes on Thane.

I’m too scared to speak. I don’t know what to say to the man. Automatically, I touch the amulet to remind myself he can’t kill me.

“Now, princess, what brings you to my humble abode?” He waves to encompass the throne room. It may be industrial in a scary part of the city, but it is far from humble.

Costin nods that I should speak.

“You have something that belongs to the Devines,” I manage as I feel Draakmar stir again within the amulet. The dragon’s agitation feels like a warning, but about what? The wolves? Or something closer to home?

“Do I?” Thane’s golden gaze shifts to Costin and then back to me.

“The mortal man taken by your wolves a week ago,” I tell him.

I catch Costin and Thane exchanging a look that makes my blood run cold. There’s something passing between them, some unspoken understanding that I can’t quite grasp. I wonder what would happen if they were alone and there was no treaty keeping them in line. The amulet pulses against my chest, and I wonder if Draakmar is trying to tell me what I’m missing.

I know werewolves and vampires hate each other as a rule. Is that what is causing the tension between them?

Maybe Draakmar is messing with me because he’s mad I forced him back underground.

Maybe the dragon is bored.

“Paul Cannon,” I clarify. “He’s Devine protectus. Return him.”

“Is he?” Thane studies the amulet around my neck.

“Yes,” I insist. “I demand you release him to me at once.”

“I think that dragon has gone to your head.” Thane comes toward us. The sound of the werewolf laughter reminds me of gravel in a blender. “Your kind wrote the rules to keep us contained, but nature doesn’t bow to paper laws.”

Nervously, I look around. Movement along myperipheral catches my attention. Peter stands partially hidden by shadows near a statue of a wolf eating a man. When our eyes meet, he subtly shakes his head in warning.

“Or what, little human? You’ll start a war between magics and wolves?” He shakes his head. “Do your parents know you’re here making threats?”

I am out of my comfort zone. My parents spent my life protecting me from creatures like this. There’s history here, dark and dangerous.

“He’s claimed as Devine protectus,” I say, my tone not as brave as before.

“And why should I believe that? Let the Devine I have affronted come forward with the claim.” Thane leans his face into mine. “Because we know as a mortal you don’t have the authority or the power to make such a mark.”

He knows I’m lying.

I feel Costin tense beside me.

“Do you have him?” I have to actively tell myself he can’t kill me. But as I watch Thane and Costin exchange looks, I wonder if death is really what I should fear.

Thane gives a small nod, but it’s so slight I’m unsure if it’s an answer or just an acknowledgment of something passing between them that I don’t understand.

Costin is being of little help, so I look at Peter, who is still watching us. My eyes then move to the others. Werewolves stand above in the alcoves, staring down. I feel as if they might leap upon us at any moment.

“Give her the mortal,” Costin finally says. “We’ll settle the account later between the two of us.”

“The full moon approaches.” Thane waves toward the ceiling like he can see the sky hidden beyond the building. His attention falls entirely on me. “But perhapswecan make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite Thane’s proximity.

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