“Indeed, that was our decision some decades ago, but with these new discoveries—”
Sister Kazamir holds up a hand. “Thank you, Niccolò, for bringing this to our attention. For now, let us feast and celebrate Miss Magdalena’s return. I’m sure in time we will come to a logical conclusion, but tonight is for festivity.” She looks from Lord Rosetti to Nadia, then extends a hand toward her, and Nadia hesitates for a moment before taking it. The matriarch’s grip is surprisingly strong. “Miss Magdalena, allow me tointroduce you to the rest of the brotherhood.” She gestures to the eight vampires at the table and puts a strong hand on Nadia’s back, encouraging her to take a step closer.
As the other members of the brotherhood stand to welcome her, Nadia notes that Lord Rosetti doesn’t approach; instead, he drifts toward the wall, his face a mask of indifference. He’s worked so hard for this, has collected evidence to see to it that Kirill and Vera’s killer is brought to justice, yet Sister Kazamir brushed him aside without even asking what he’d discovered.
Are you well?Theodore asks, and his voice is a soothing reprieve from the demands of introductions and small talk.
Nadia pretends to listen to one of the brothers as he speaks to her, but her focus is on Theodore.Yes, but something isn’t right, she says.
What happened?He sounds concerned, tense.
But before Nadia can respond, she’s pulled back into the conversation surrounding her.
“Miss Magdalena,” says the last member of the brotherhood as he steps forward to greet her. His hair is black, his eyes a deep brown, and he has a quick and charming smile. “I’ve so looked forward to this. Lord Rosetti wrote to me, and I admit”—he lowers his voice slightly—“of all the festivities this evening, meeting you will be the highlight.”
Nadia smiles politely. “It’s a pleasure, Brother . . . ?”
“Forgive me. I’m Matteo Delfino.” He bows to her, and as he rights himself, Lord Rosetti walks over to join them.
“Brother Delfino.”
“Lord Rosetti.” Brother Delfino bows once more to the earl. “I was just telling Miss Magdalena how pleased I am to meet her.”
“A pleasure indeed,” Lord Rosetti says, but there’s an edge to his voice. “Though the brotherhood seems to have little interest in holding those responsible for Miss Magdalena’s disappearance and Kirill’s and Vera’s deaths responsible.”
Brother Delfino clears his throat, and his eyes shift, his gaze moving over Nadia’s shoulder. She need not turn to look; she knows Sister Kazamir stands there, engaged in conversation with a few other members of the brotherhood.
“Perhaps now is not the best time to speak,” Brother Delfino whispers, his voice so quiet that only vampire ears could pick it up.
“No, certainly not.” Lord Rosetti straightens his shoulders and holds himself a bit taller. “Though we need to speak, and soon.”
Nodding subtly, Brother Delfino gives Nadia a gentle smile. “As I said, it’s a pleasure finally making your acquaintance, Miss Magdalena.” He holds out a hand, and Nadia places hers in it, accepting the kiss he presses against the back of her hand. “Another time, Niccolò.”
With that, Brother Delfino moves away, and Nadia turns to face the earl. His normally jovial green eyes are pinched in the corners, and his brow is deeply furrowed. Tension rolls off him, and Nadia knows the others must be able to feel it as well.
“Brothers and sisters,” Sister Kazamir says, her elevated voice calling the attention of everyone in the room. “Let us rejoin the others in the ballroom. We mustn’t leave our guests unattended, hmm?”
At her words, a footman promptly opens the door to the chamber, and the members of the brotherhood begin to trickle out. Nadia joins the flow, but just as she goes to step through the door, a hand wraps around her bare upper arm, and Sister Kazamir leans in to whisper, “Enjoy your evening, Miss Magdalena. I do hope to see you again soon.”
Somehow, Nadia very much doubts that, but she offers a polite smile and dips her head, and then the strong grip around her arm releases, and she steps from the room with Lord Rosetti close behind her.
Chapter Thirteen
After stepping into the torchlithallway, Lord Rosetti doesn’t speak. Nadia keeps glancing at him, but he keeps his gaze trained forward, his hands tight at his sides. They walk with the other members of the brotherhood down the hall, and another footman opens the door to welcome them back to the ballroom. Sound and light pour in, and Nadia briefly squints her eyes until they’ve had a moment to adjust. The brotherhood disperses into the ballroom, and Nadia smiles when Sister Kazamir passes her by. Only once she’s gone does she turn to Lord Rosetti.
“Why were they so dismissive?” she whispers, cautious despite the crowded room. “I thought they’d be more... eager.”
“As did I.” He glances around the room, though his gaze doesn’t settle anywhere for long. “But we need not discuss it now. Go, enjoy the gala. We’ll speak soon.” He places a comforting hand on her shoulder, but the excitement he had when he told Nadia of the traces on the teacup has completely vanished. His eyes seem lusterless now, faraway, and he turns without another word, grabbing a glass of wine from a servant’s tray before getting lost in the crowd.
“There you are, Miss Magdalena.”
The voice sends a jolt up Nadia’s spine, and when she turns, she finds herself reflected in Konrád’s cold blue eyes. His blond hair catches the light from the chandeliers and gleams.
“Here I am,” she says, offering him a small smile. “Were you looking for me?”
“Indeed.” He finishes his glass of wine before putting it on the tray of a passing servant. “I take it you met my grandmother?”
Not allowing her face to betray her emotions, she tips her head. “I did. She’s a charming woman, and she was very welcoming of me, as was the rest of the brotherhood.”