Page 76 of Claimed By Blood

I don’t make the mistake of thinking he’s here to join the conversation. His only purpose is to block our escape. This isn’t a friendly chat. It’s an interrogation.

The bronze-skinned general grins at me, as if he can read my thoughts.

“Lady Evelyn, I can’t believe we’ve never had the pleasure of being introduced,” Armin says, focusing on me with a sly grin. “We’ve heard whispers of your legend, of course, and I’ve always been curious—naturally. Now you’ve walked straight into my headquarters. How fortunate.”

“Evelyn’s not much of one for conversation,” Immy interrupts. “She’s more of a warrior than a diplomat.”

She shoots me a look, so quick I wouldn’t have caught it if I hadn’t seen it a dozen times before.

Trust me. It means.

I have no choice, so I leave her to charm the general and turn my attention to the obvious threats in the room.

“What a shame,” Armin purrs. “Then I suppose you’ll have to tell me what business it is that requires three of Cain’s treasured daughters to disappear from the face of the earth for days on end.”

“That’s our Sire’s business.” Immy’s pleasant tone doesn’t falter. “If he hasn’t seen fit to share his reasoning with you, you shouldn’t ask.”

I lean back in the booth, sinking into the leather as I drum my fingers against the table. Three then five.

Fifteen guards in this room.

She taps one nail against her arm in answer.

The signal to wait.

God, how long has it been since we played this game? Used these gestures?

When we were younger, Immy used her gifts to try to manipulate the target Cain gave us, and I acted as her backup. Returning to the routine is like slipping into a well-worn pair of shoes. Comfortable.

“Interesting then, that our Lord has told all of his generals to report any sightings of you and Morwenna.” Armin is either immune to Immy’s charms, or he’s just suspicious by nature, because he hasn’t relaxed.

And Finn is still stressed and tense down the bond.

The only reason I haven’t rushed back upstairs is because Immy told me to wait. She better be right about this because if Finn gets hurt, there’ll be hell to pay…

Most of the guards have guns and swords—an interesting combination. A month in Cain’s court proved that my sire hasn’t revised his opinions about the crude modern weapons, so they must be using them without his approval.

I’ve stopped paying attention to Immy almost completely, so that’s why I notice the second Morwen strides into the room.

I relax at once, because there’s no way she would’ve come alone. Finn must be with the rest of the pack.

Armin is distracted by Immy, but he’d have to be blind not to notice Morwen striding towards us in all her leather and combat gear. Our middle sister is many things, but subtle isn’t one of them.

“If it isn’t my favourite sister of them all.” He beams, moving out from the booth as if to greet her.

Morwen just hisses in his face. “Why the hell are you fucking with our mission, Armin?”

Immy’s hand clenches on her lap, her little finger rises once and unfurls until it’s straight. The signal for arousal. I raise my eyebrows at Morwen.

She’s somehow made the general horny.

“Yourmission?” he asks.

“We’re hunting, and we could’ve caught them if you hadn’t dragged them down here.” Her tone is dismissive, but there’s no disguising the animosity in her tone.

Whoever this Armin is, my sister hates him and he… apparently gets off on that?

“Evie, Immy, let’s go.” She turns on her heel, only to reel back and hiss as the general grabs her arm.

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