Page 9 of Queen of Darkness
“Because,” a cold voice said from behind me, “he doesn’t want to get in trouble for helping you.”
Chapter Six
Recognizing the voice, I spun, hackles rising.
She was walking down the hallway with steps so smooth that it looked like she was floating. A wave of cold preceded her, and goosebumps rose on my arms.
My teeth bared in challenge, and my wolf and I growled a warning at the tall, lithe woman, her height forcing us to look up ever so slightly. She played the psychological advantage to the max, drawing herself up to her full height as she came to a stop. After nearly eight hundred years as the ruler of all vampires, Queen Elenia had certainly learned how to project her status to those around her.
“Relax,” she said, taking in my hostile stance, waving her right hand at me dismissively, as if I were no more than one of her subjects to be commanded. “This is neutral ground.”
Her casual arrogance and air of expectation astounded me. My jaw dropped open, and I simply stared. Did she really expect me just to face her and have a civil conversation? This was the woman who had put adeath warranton my head!
“Well, come now, pull yourself together, woman. Stop staring at me like you’re some sort of imbecile. Honestly, child, it’s embarrassing for the both of us.” Shetskedat me like an irritated mother.
I tensed, ready to go for her throat, but a hand on my shoulder stilled me.
“This is not the place for that,” Decan said, the warning clear.
“Relax,” Queen Elenia commanded once more. “I will not partake in any violence here. I do not wish to offend the Broker. Much as I want this one dead, his long-term favor is more important.”
“If only you had that level of caring for, oh, I don’t know,anyoneelse,” I snapped.
The queen glared at me, her eyes darkening with fury at my impudence. I didn’t care. She needed to know that not everyone would grovel before her.
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” she said with false sweetness. “It won’t be long before you’re dead and of even less consequence to anyone.”
“A grape is of little consequence until you choke on it,” I pointed out, wondering if it was a smart idea to make her more aware of me than necessary.
In the end, it probably didn’t matter. The queen was already on alert after I’d raided her palace with Jaxton and the rest of Aaron’s team. By stealing himandFenrir from her clutches, she had to be well aware of who I was. Not to mention, she knew that I was also a vampire, having undergone my shift and my first feeding.
I was a rival to her throne, and she didn’t like that. Not one bit. How long, I wondered, had it been since she had to contend with someone who aspired to take her down? I doubted she was used to that idea.
“This place might be off-limits,” the queen finally replied, her supple red lips curving upward in a wicked smile, “but once you leave …”
“You really aren’t that good at making threats, are you?” I challenged, finding a burst of confidence as I realized she had to beworriedabout me if she’d signed a Blood Letter, of all things. She could have just dispatched some of her goons to kill me, but instead, she’d gone further than that.
It almost screamed of desperation. How …interesting.
“Oh, I’m very good at it,” she spat back, her eyes flashing with fury.
“Then I guess nobody told you that spoiling the ambush is a terrible way to ensure I walk into it. They’re supposed to be asurprise.”
Veins popped in her neck as Elenia fought to restrain herself. “Oh, don’t worry, it will be far less obvious than you expect.”
I turned to look at Decan. “She really doesn’t get it, does she?”
Decan looked on impassively, refusing to comment or participate in the confrontation, staying only to step in if any violence broke out. Complete neutrality, nothing more, was all I could expect from him.
“Don’t bother turning to him for help,” Elenia gloated. “He won’t be able to assist you. Will you, Decan, darling?”
I saw a tiny tremor make its way down Decan’s spine. Was that from fear? Fury? Or something else? Judging by the slight narrowing of his eyes, I thought it was more likely fury. Elenia certainly had a way with people.
“I asked you aquestion,” Elenia hissed into the silence that followed.
A wave of frost spread out from her, stiffening the fabric of my clothing and causing my hair to stand on end. Fighting back a shiver, I glared at her, wishing yet again that I could rip her throat out where she stood, putting an end to all this.
“The deal is done,” Decan ground out through clenched teeth.
