Page 67 of The Lord of Whispers

“What do you know, mutt?” Cole retorted, falling back on his trite name calling.

I felt the familiar tension in the air that I had come to recognize as Jay’s power. I found Jay’s eyes and subtly shook my head, telling him not to come over to where I stood. Fire blazed behind his gray eyes. Grey put a casual hand on his friend’s shoulder, distracting him.

Luke walked over and stood next to me. Jay’s eyes seared into Luke’s back.

“I know the guy you’re talking about—Don Davante—and I know that if you try to take a ‘firm hand’ with him, he will break your hand, and then your arm, and then that sword at your side like a twig.”

“I’m not worried about Cass,” Cole sneered.

Cass?I wondered at Cole’s familiarity.

“I guess that answers the question we have all been wondering about then—you reallyarethat stupid,” I said.

Blustering, Cole replied, “I will not be talked to this way by some small-town mongrel. When I’m through with you, no one at the High Court will offer you a job,” he spat through clenched teeth.

“Well then, you better go talk to your mother because she’s already offered me a spot in your House.”

Cole looked over at Stefan, who gave him a nod, confirming I was not lying. Cole gave me one disgusted look and then turned on his heels, storming off.

Jamie looked uncomfortable and wandered off, muttering an excuse about needing to find Gloria. Lord Preston was still chuckling as he made his way over to Jay and the King.

Rhett’s and Luke’s chuckling finally began to subside.

“She really offered you a position with House Tragon?” Luke asked, incredulously.

“Yep,” I said, trying to find Jay’s eyes and see how he felt about this news, but he was still talking to the King and wasn’t looking my way.

“Are you considering it?” Rhett asked, neutrally, ever the diplomat behind his Prince Charming facade.

“And work with that gem?” I joked, gesturing toward where Cole stormed off.

“Good. Because if you’re leaving House Vitruvian, then it better be to come and work for my House,” Rhett replied.

“I think it’s safe to say we’re done here for the night,” Luke said.

“I’ll walk you home, Al,” he continued, grabbing my elbow and beginning to pull me toward the door.

“No need, Luke,” Jay said, appearing next to us, although he had been across the room seconds before.

“Lady Armand, you can join me. I’m heading back as well,” he said, stiffly holding his elbow out to me.

I looked back at Luke and Rhett.

“‘Night,” I said, pulling out of Luke’s grip and taking Jay’s elbow.

When we were out of sight, I felt Jay’s discreet but possessive touch on my lower back.

“Did you enjoy the evening at the King’s house, Alarie?” he asked, engaging in small talk we could easily exchange in case of prying ears.

However, I could hear that something more severe than the possibility of eavesdroppers was underlying the faux formality in his voice. I couldn’t tell if he was pissed about my scene with Cole or the high lady’s offer, or perhaps both.

“It was quite the party,” I responded, generically, biding my time to find out the reason for Jay’s undertone.

“What did you enjoy the most? The food? Or perhaps it was themusic?” he spat, emphasizing the last word, leaving no doubt in my mind as to the true reason for his mood.

My heart jumped into my throat as my exchange with Stefan replayed in my mind. I’d flirted with the musician, but my flirting had been no different from the flirting I usually faked to wheedle information out of people. But even as I tried to convince myself of this, I inwardly admitted that it was not entirely true. And somehow the high lord knew this as well. I couldn’t explain it now that I was no longer in front of Stefan, but in the moment, I’d felt myself being a littletooreceptive to his blunt advances.

“The food was delicious,” I responded, taking a subtle deep breath to slow my pounding heart.

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