Page 97 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“We can kill you,” Cassian says calmly.

“That’s not terribly civilized,” Gerald laughs. “I thought you were trying to separate yourself from your inner monster?”

“You lay a hand on Piper, and I will show you exactly what kind of monster I’ve been attempting to suppress.”

“My heart just fluttered a little,” Sophia whispers to me, grasping my arm. “But step back. Cassian is scary when he goes full vamp.”

But Cassian isn’t moving.

“You’re fussy about the women in your life, aren’t you?” Gerald taunts. “It makes me think you won’t be happy to learn how many times I’velaid handson Sophia.”

The petite vampire at my side gasps.

Cassian tenses, but he says, “I couldn’t care less if you dated. Sophia and I haven’t been involved for over a hundred years.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“Positive.”

“It doesn’t bother you that I used her to ruin you? That I intentionally took the one thing you cared about and bent her to my will, using her insecurity and foolish heart to bring down your house?”

“Gerald, you just hush,” Sophia snarls. Unfortunately, her snarl is like an angry kitten’s, and that’s not very intimidating. “We dated. I dumped you.Get over it.”

“You’re so feisty, Soph. I do like that about you.” The vampire chuckles as he turns his attention back to Cassian and raises his eyebrows. “I bet you liked that, too.”

Noah touches Cassian’s arm, a silent warning.

“He’s trying to goad Cassian into attacking first,” Sophia whispers to me. “He keeps glancing at the cameras. I think he wants a record of Cassian lashing out.”

“Take her back if you want,” Gerald says. “I was done with her anyway.”

Cassian attempts to lunge across the table, but Noah drags him back.

“Ah, your true nature is showing.” Gerald steps back, sighing dramatically. “I was hoping you could be reasonable, but it seems we’re at an impasse. I offered to keep Piper safe—I waswilling to play nice. But now, I think I’m going to have to put her down.”

Put me down? Am I adog?

He continues, “I can’t have illegally created vampires hanging around in my line, especially when they are so obviously bent on creating trouble. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but I’m a stickler for obeying the laws.”

“Wait,” I say, unable to keep my mouth shut. “What trouble have I caused?”

“I’ll give you one last chance to prove you can be reasonable,” he says to Cassian, ignoring me and heading for the door. “It was good chatting with you.”

Noah, who was holding Cassian back just a minute ago, bolts forward. This time, Cassian grabs him.

“Don’t,”my conservator snarls. As soon as Gerald disappears through the door, he releases Noah.“I can’t pardon you from killing a prince. If anyone is going to kill him, it must beme.”

“You can’t kill him,” Noah practically yells. “You’ll lose the vote, and who knows who will be crowned archduke.”

Presumably, whoever Gerald is working with.

“He just said he was going to kill me on video.” I jerk my hand toward the camera. “And he can walk away? That’sallowed?”

Sophia’s face scrunches. “If he’s still the head of your line, then technically…yes. Because you were illegally created. But if Cassian is right, and the transfer needs no validation, then no. Even the princes can’t threaten a vampire from another house line.”

“I was a victim!” I exclaim. “NIHA is supposed to protect people like me.”

“That was before a couple of princes got involved,” Noah says heavily.

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