Page 26 of Cruelly Fated
“The hinges screamed in terror,” Valor said dryly.
Understanding dawned in Kyon’s eyes and he raised a brow in question.
“She collided with a closed door,” Valor clarified, amusement tugging at his mouth. “I may have startled her. She threw one hell of an illusion at me, though. I think your idea might work.”
“What idea?” I finally found my voice.
“When the gargoyles attacked my father’s estate a few months ago, someone messed with security feed,” Kyon said. “Certain parts of the footage are corrupted. We suspect they used a virus to destroy back-ups on our servers but took the physical memory card with them.”
“The dragon king’s life might be in danger,” Valor added, his tone graver now. “We need to locate the card and see what it captured.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. Ever since Officer Marley warned me about the Voltaire family, I’d done some digging on my own. If I was right, Kyon was referring to that night—the one where the tabloids claimed he led a gargoyle hit squad into his father’s home. The articles alluded to a bitter feud between father and son. None of the sources were credible—they all belonged to gossip rags—but they planted a seed of doubt.
“You’re speaking like you weren’t involved in the attack,” I said, heart hammering.
Kyon leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the table, a slow scowl darkening his face. “Because I wasn’t.” His nostrils flared. Then he exhaled hard and sat back, his lips twisting in restraint.
A chill licked my spine. The dragon inside him hadn’t liked that question. I needed to tread lightly around the topic.
“So you need a memory card. I assume you have an idea where it is?” I asked, trying to show initiative. I needed Kyon to protect Grandpa, and I’d do anything to make that happen.
Valor nodded. “Gargoyles are notorious spoils hoarders. They’ve got it.”
“The head of the Thornhide gargoyle clan is throwing his annual charity gala at the Plaza downtown—two nights from now,” Kyon said. “That’s not what matters. What we care about is the after-party hosted by his son. You’ll be attending it with Valor.” His eyes narrowed. “As his date.”
I glanced at the composed vampire beside me. Did he think this was a good idea? I couldn’t read his thoughts. Of course, he could hear my heart pounding like I was prey in a snare. Not fair.
I licked my lips, wanting to say no. But I couldn’t leave Grandpa under the mercy of prison scum.
“I’ll do it, but under one condition,” I said.
Kyon’s brow ticked upward. “You want to get paid?” he drawled.
“No. You’re protecting my Grandpa already.”Geez, does he really think that about me?That I’d bargain for more when the most important person in my life was in constant danger from prison gangs. His comment left a sour taste in my mouth.
His thick brows pinched into a V. “Then what is it?”
“Her job,” Valor said with a sigh. “Her boss is a filthy piece of work. I’ll deal with him.” He turned to me. “You have nothing to worry about.”
I mouthed a silentthank youto the vampire I barely knew, but who seemed to understand me so well.
A low growl snapped my attention back to the dragon across the glass. My palms turned slick in an instant. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The power and danger he exuded terrified me,yes, but also pulled me in like gravity. When his dark eyes landed on me, pleasant warmth radiated through my body. He could make me come undone with a single heated look.
Valor smirked, laced his fingers behind his head, and leaned back like he was watching his favorite show. “This isn’t as straightforward as showing up to a party,” he said casually. “We’ll need you to gather some intel.”
“Me?” I squeaked.
“What we’re looking for—” He tapped a finger to his temple. “—is in here.”
“Gargoyles are cunning bastards,” Kyon added. “They hide their tracks well. Searching the mansion won’t work—security’s too tight, and Valor can’t risk exposure. But you…no one can trace what you do.”
“Except the person I target,” I said. “You figured me out right away. Only low fae fall for my tricks.”
“This after-party is known for guests partaking in illegal substances. I’ve seen our target baked out of his mind more than once. I have no doubt he’ll be completely gone—and if he does remember you, he’ll probably assume his brain conjured the whole thing,” Valor said.
I let out a slow breath. “So, what you’re saying is…you want me tosearchhis memories?” I shook my head. “My gift doesn’t work like that—”
“Have you ever tested your limits?” Valor asked.
