Page 36 of Crimson Devotion
“It matters. Do you know how Faith ended up with the bracelet?”
“No.’’ He leans forward slightly. “But I am curious.’’
“She found it in her home, after her parents were killed. A vampire killed them. What I don’t understand is why a vampire would be so thoughtless to lose it. Especially if it was in their hands for two hundred years.’’
“That does seem odd.’’ Aurelia frowns. “How did you lose it, again?”
“A fight with werewolves.’’ I sigh, barely remembering the details of the fight. “I didn’t even notice it gone until sunrise.’’
“You killed them all, I presume?”
I nod.
“Then…’’ Aurelia glances at Valerio. ‘‘If we find out who found the dead pack, we’ll know who took your bracelet, and who killed her parents.’’
“That’s where the two of you come in. You’ll go and find out for me.’’
“You’ve been inside this castle for two hundred years, Ophi.’’ Valerio’s gaze softens. “Why don’t you go? It would do you good to get outside a little.’’
“It’s a widely known fact that Lucifer’s here. I’m not leaving him unprotected, and besides, why would I go when the two of you are perfectly capable of doing this little task for me? Or are you incapable of following leads?”
Aurelia scoffs, her ego wounded. The prideful look she carries like a badge of honor appears, and I suppress a smirk. Shestraightens up, pure determination on her face.
“Of course we can! Who do you think we are? We’ll leave first thing tomorrow.’’
Valerio groans, burying his face in his hands. “Aurie, she’s playing you like a fiddle.’’
Aurelia ignores him, eyes on me. “What do you want us to do with them?”
“Bring them here. I’ll let Faith decide what she wants to do to them. Though, I think she’ll kill them. Rightfully so.’’
“Are you sure that’s smart?” Valerio presses, worry flashing through his eyes. “She’s still a new vampire. Killing a vampire as a human and as a fellow vampire isn’t the same, and you know it.’’
I wince.
When a vampire kills another vampire, they can hear their soul. It’s gut-wrenching, and it manifests as physical pain. Because of vampirism, even that pain is enhanced, and many never survived it at all. I hate myself for not thinking of it sooner.
“Then I’ll do it.’’
“But—’’
“End of discussion,’’ I say, raising my voice just a little. Valerio’s mouth clamps shut, and he nods reluctantly. The concern doesn’t lessen; if anything, it increases when he sees just how excited Aurelia is to be given such an important task.
“Alright,’’ he breathes out, straightening up. “That’s not the only reason you’ve called us here, is it?”
“No, there’re two more things.’’
“Go on.’’
“First and foremost, Aurelia.’’ I glare at her, and her smile immediately falters. “You need to stop with your hunt for werewolves.’’
“What? Why?”
The words leave her mouth like a childish whine, my eyes rolling to the back of my head in irritation. She pouts, handsclutching the fabric of her pants. She glances at Valerio for support, and all of a sudden, he finds the painting on the wall too interesting, not daring to look at either of us.
“Because werewolves are going missing left and right, and I know you’re responsible for that.’’
Aurelia scoffs, folding her arms in front of her chest. “How would you know? You haven’t left the castle.’’
