Page 95 of Prince of the Undying

“Not anymore.”

Wendel glared at him. “I’m still your older brother.”

Wolfram wouldn’t back down. “My older brother is dead. That’s what they told me.”

“Did they?”

“I never believed them.”

“Wolfram.” Wendel softened his words. “Wolfie. Please.”

No more than a flash of gray, a man ran along the edge of the ballroom. An assassin.

Wendel’s stare locked on his enemy. “Run.”

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Wolfram reached for him, but Wendel stepped backward and slipped into the crowd. Lady Maili glanced at me, her mouth rounded with shock.

“Wolfram, where is your sister?” I asked. “Juliana?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

“Find her. We need to get out of here.”

Wolfram frowned. “She should be dancing.”

I scanned the ballroom. Near the back, Wendel stalked along the wall, but there weren’t enough shadows for Amarant to hide him. As the music floated into its finale, the ladies and gentlemen halted their waltz.

“There!” Wolfram pointed. “I see Juliana.”

An elegant brunette in silver silk laughed at her dancing companion. A tiara twinkled on her head. She certainly looked like a princess.

Hopefully this princess would take orders.

“Excuse me.” I threaded through the crowd. “Milady?”

Juliana tilted her head at me with a faint sneer. “I’m afraid we haven’t been introduced? And the correct form of address for a princess is ‘Your Royal Highness.’”

Wonderful. She was even more arrogant than her brother.

When she turned away, I caught her hand. “I’m here to escort you from the premises.”

“Escort?” Juliana grimaced at me touching her, even though she was wearing silk gloves. “Wolfram, who is she?”

He stepped forward. “She’s with Wendel.”

Juliana’s nostrils flared. “That’s a cruel joke.”

“It’s no joke.” Wolfram shook his head, his dark eyes serious. “He’s here. He’s being hunted.”

“Hunted? By whom?”

“Assassins.”

Juliana curled her lip. “What nonsense.”

“We have to trust him.”

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