Fated In Secrets (Nocturne Vampire Clan #2)

Chapter 6

6

EVANGELINE

W alk with me.

At his invitation, my hand slipped into Riordan’s, breath stalling in my lungs when the veiled truth struck deep.

I couldn’t have stopped myself if I’d tried.

I hated that my body was his to command, while my mind was at war.

He was keeping me prisoner here. With his guards, his promises of protection and his fucking blood. My blood was supposed to be addicting, but… I sucked in a quick, secretive gulp of his dark coffee-cinnamon scent. He was the drug I couldn’t get enough of.

We hadn’t had sex since our last time , and he’d fed me exactly once since we’d moved into this awful place.

One short, impersonal feeding that had done little to slake my hunger and left me to pleasure myself over and over again the entire night. Yet another thing Riordan probably sensed through our bond.

Yet another means of controlling me.

Blood, my sister, protection, safety…I ticked off the supposed perks of being a vampire again as Riordan led me around the closed-off west wing, the sweet scent of hyacinths perfuming the morning air. It had been years since I’d even noticed something as mundane as flowers, but mo m had loved them, telling Angel and I the names of every obscure little bloom she came across.

“Hang on.” I pulled my hand free, stooped down and gathered a handful of the colorful purple and blue spikes. “I’ll take some to Angel. Maybe they’ll cheer her up.”

“She’s no better?” I wished I’d missed that flicker of concern in Riordan’s eyes, because I knew he didn’t give a shit. Ever since Tyrell crumbled into a pile of bone and Riordan had absorbed all his power, he was different.

Colder. Crueler. Meaner.

Like all Tyrell’s debauchery had leached over, right along with his foul magic.

“Silver? Is your sister better?”

Like you fucking care . I chewed on the side of my tongue. Like you’re not using her as the means of keeping me here until you figure out how to leverage my blood for your own gain. And yes, I do hope you’re listening.

“Not yet.” I peered around. I despised this castle with the force of a thousand suns, but the gardens were…actually pretty. “It would do her good to be outside. Breathe fresh air, not feel like a prisoner.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, you’re not prisoners?” His hand caught mine again, and my heart leapt at the scrape of his calloused palm against my own. Every time I drifted closer to loathing Riordan, he pulled me back with a touch, a word, a look. And when his thumb brushed tenderly over my knuckles, that confusion turned to something I’d promised myself I wouldn’t ever feel again.

“Our world is not safe right now, Silver. The only place I can protect you—and Angel—is inside those walls.” He stared up at the turrets, the blue in his eyes turning murky. “Even these gardens are too exposed. ”

“Then tell me, where are the threats, Riordan? Why are you playing this so close to the vest?” I canted my head, pulling my hand away. “Nash wasn’t even informed Silas was out there, and you’re not telling me anything.” I murmured. “Keeping everyone in the dark will get us all killed.”

Riordan considered me, before he said softly, “I always forget you’re not like anyone I’ve ever met. You see the world differently.” He bent, considered the garden for a moment before plucking a perfect stem of dark purple hyacinth, tucking the blooms into the armful I’d picked.

I buried my nose in the armful of blooms.

I swore, the man was a walking, talking contradiction.

“Wow, thanks for the compliment. I grew up in a compound of soldiers, taught to fight in order to survive. I don’t know how not to think strategically, so yes, I see the world exactly as it is, full of danger and ready to murder me at the slightest provocation.”

“Then let’s go inside.” His smile turned sad. “And I will fill you in on all the ways our world can—and will—kill you.”

“Every clan is made up of royal houses, a nobility of sorts, ruled by a queen or king.”

Queen or king…where queen came first.

Interesting .

I surveyed Riordan over the expanse of his messy desk, the delicate scent of hyacinths brightening the stale air. He looked…no, tired wasn’t exactly the right word, more li ke strained . Like he was slowly being crushed beneath the weight of the crown he wore.

My eyes drifted up to that awful painting of Tyrell and Angel.

I should have burned that fucker, right along with her dresses.

“Then there are the vampires trying to get by, like school teachers and chauffeurs and the staff here. Those are our most vulnerable clan members, the ones Tyrell and my sire exploited. Those are the people I want to protect.”

I sighed. And there it was, that rare glimpse of nobility beneath the arrogance. The knight in shining armor beneath the dark, brooding mask. The hint of decency that made it impossible to hate him as completely as I wanted to.

“So the vampire world is neatly divided into rich and poor. What a surprise.”

“Much like humans,” Riordan countered. “But it’s not money that divides us, it’s the two types of vampires. Vampires Born and Vampires Made. There’s a vast difference, you see.”

A vast difference. “What kind of difference?” Though I could well imagine. Humans were thorough in their prejudices; I could only imagine how cruel a species who lived forever could be.

“Vampire’s Born are considered pure-blooded and above reproach. By my father ,” he was quick to add, “and monsters like Tyrell and others of his ilk. I don’t give a good goddamn if a vampire is turned or born or fell from the fucking sky, so long as I can trust them.”

He attempted a smile. “Or can at least tolerate their company.”

“So let me guess. All these royal house fuckers are Born Vampires, living the good life because of their pure blood?” I shook my head. “Not so different from humans, are we?”

It didn’t strike me until the words left my mouth that I’d just lumped myself in with the rest of the bloodsuckers, and a wave of sadness went through me, as if I’d given away another shred of my humanity.

“All of them are Born Vampires, yes. The houses that were loyal to Tyrell and shared his archaic way of thinking…those are our enemies. They have the most to lose once I bring this clan into the modern age. The royal houses who might, for example, shelter Collum, or Valaine, and form an alliance to their mutual benefit.”

So I wasn’t imagining the ragged edge to his voice, nor the pinched look in his face. Riordan was worried, and our enemies were organizing. Then why weren’t we fighting?

“My sire held this clan in an iron grip, but Tyrell terrified them. Fear allowed the worst of us to thrive, while decent vampires learned survival depended on them keeping their heads down.

“I don’t blame them.” He added quickly. “They have families to protect, and everything to lose if they stand with me, only to watch me fall. This is my fault. I didn’t plan past killing Tyrell.” His quiet, guilt-riddled admission sent my heart lurching.

Riordan carried the weight of an entire kingdom on his shoulders, where one mistake meant the deaths of innocent people. Children. Families.

He drummed his fingers on the desk. “Or rather, killing Tyrell seemed like such a long shot, Blake and I put all our efforts into his demise, hoping that once he was gone, the royal houses would understand we offered a better future. But as you can see, no one has rushed to our side. ”

I thought back to Riordan’s speech, filled with such hope…and in retrospect, such naivete.

Such grand plans, I’d thought, impressed with the scale of their dream. But big plans took careful strategy and now that Tyrell was gone, an entire army of enemies was organizing themselves in his place.

I knew from experience it was easier to kill one adversary than a multitude.

“Tyrell pretty much offered Collum the throne. Made that one fanged asshole his heir apparent.” I pointed out. “That means they already have a replacement, if they did manage to…” I bit my tongue. “Sorry, I’m sure you’re not getting assassinated any time soon, not on Nash’s watch.”

Riordan leaned back in his chair with a playful smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Oh no, by all means, keep going, I love watching your mind work. How would you kill me, if you had enormous resources and someone like Valaine and say…twenty highly trained soldiers at your disposal?”

I shifted in my chair. “I really don’t think this is the…”

“Oh, don’t be shy.” There was a hard, tight edge to his voice now. “Tell me, Silver , how would you assassinate me? I’m sure you’ve given that particular scenario quite a lot of thought.”

“Fine.” I leaned back in my own chair, then wished I hadn’t, the wooden slats digging into my shoulder blades. “I’d use my knowledge of the castle to gain access, bypassing the grounds. Once me and my guards were inside, I’d use the revenants as shock forces, clearing each floor, then have my men fan out, take out Nash’s remaining soldiers. My priority would be locating Blake, which shouldn’t be too hard, because knowing him, he’ll be on the front lines during the attack. ”

The thought sent my heartrate spiking, like someone thrust a hot poker deep into my ribcage.

Riordan’s smirk grew fangs. “ I’m the king, darling. I’m t he primary target, or did you forget?”

“How could I fucking forget?” I said sweetly. “But Blake is the only person in the world you’d sacrifice yourself for. Valaine knows that, so would Collum. Even my father does. Using him as bait is the easiest ploy and they’d have your Knightsguard on the run and their sword across your throat within the hour.”

His expression faltered, but he recovered nicely, “Let me remind you, in this scenario, you’d have your sword across my throat.”

“It doesn’t matter who holds the sword, Riordan, you still end up dead. If everything you’ve told me is true, you’re a sitting duck with no allies.” I leaned forward and my shoulder blades thanked me. “We need strong backing if we want to stay alive.”

I was uncomfortably aware that Riordan’s goals were aligned with my own, even this was just short-term self-preservation until I figured out a better option.

“You have to offer these people the same hope you offered Blake in your pretty speech the other day. You have to tell them about your vision of a better future, then make them believe you can deliver . For your allies, your confidence will be contagious, to your enemies, it will be a challenge, but sitting in this castle, afraid to make a decision, will get you—will get all of us—killed.”

Riordan’s mouth thinned into a vicious line, eyes darkening when I called his strength into question, but I was done pussy footing around the truth.

Weak rulers fell, strong ones rose. End of story .

“Now you sound like fucking Blake. Tell me something I don’t know, since you’re such a brilliant strategist.”

“Okay, you have your own army, this…Knightsguard, but you’re not utilizing them effectively. They should be a show of absolute force. I guarantee Collum has eyes on this place twenty-four seven. You possess Tyrell’s magic, which I’ll bet you haven’t even tried to use.”

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Have you?”

“I’ve been busy.” His fingers danced lightly over the loose papers, but that steely gaze ripped through me like knives.

“Are you…afraid of this new power?” I asked softly, knowing I was pushing too hard. “Because fear…”

“I’m not fucking afraid of anything . I haven’t had time to explore my magic, since I’ve been focused on keeping everyone in this fucking castle alive, including you and your sister .”

I tried not to flinch. “Then that’s where you start. Have Nash double the patrols and the posted guards to make our numbers look better than they are. Wait for the inevitable attack, make sure the conflict happens here, where you have the advantage. Then give them a show. Use your magic.” I shrugged nonchalantly, despite the kernel of excitement building in my stomach as I imagined the scene.

“Lop off a few heads, like you did at the quarry, make your enemies think twice, and your allies will reconsider their positions. They need proof, Riordan. Give it to them .”

Riordan sucked in a quick breath and my chest ached, like I was the one who couldn’t get enough air. “That sounds appropriately bloodthirsty. What did you have in mind, little slayer?”

“Practice.” I shrugged. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, your display of power has to be flawless. So what do you say to a field trip out to the quarry?”

Please agree. Get me out of this godforsaken castle for a few fucking hours.

The rigid lines of his body relaxed as he sagged into his chair, boneless as an indolent cat. “On one condition. What did you mean before, when you said you’d bypass the grounds?” His fingers began tapping again, slow, like a funeral march and I burst to my feet, eyes flicking between Riordan and the door. “What do you know, Silver, that I don’t?”

If I admitted my knowledge of the secret passageways, I’d lose my advantage.

My chance at freedom.

“A whole lot of things, I suspect.” I straightened the papers closest to me, stacking them in neat, orderly piles as I threw him a wink. “But I’m not about to give away all my secrets, because where’s the fun in that?”

Riordan was on his feet and around his desk in one breath, then I was backing up and up and up, until my back hit the wall, until I was caged in by two hundred pounds of muscle and furious heat.

“I could go into that pretty head of yours and see.” The threat was uttered so casually, so without a shred of guilt my smile faltered. “Secrets have a way of getting people killed, Evangeline. You want out of here for a few hours? Tell me what you know.”

Breathing deep, he dipped his head into the crook of my neck and fuck me, but my hand drifted up to pull him closer, to trap him there. To grip his hair, beg him to take and take and take until I had nothing left to give.

Then something sharp scraped along the inside of my skull, screeching like claws .

This fucker.

I shoved him— hard —hard enough to send him back a step, hard enough to put some distance between me and whatever fucking unholy power he held over my body.

“Fine. There are secret passageways on every floor. It stands to reason there could be an escape tunnel leading out of the castle beyond the wall, in case Darkmore was ever compromised.”

He straightened up, every line of his powerful body on alert. “I’ll get Nash on that right away.”

“Yeah, you do that.” I muttered, gathering the flowers and heading for the door.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going? I thought we were heading to the quarry.”

“ You’re going to the quarry alone, since I’ve lost my need to breathe fresh air.” Good fucking luck with practice, asshole, I hope you end up a greasy stain on the rocks.

“You can’t get blood from a greasy stain, Silver, and you still need to feed.”

My chest ached, my ribs buckling from the strain. “Thanks for the reminder. I’ll come find you when my hunger overcomes my revulsion.” I flung the door open and gave the bastard the finger on my way out.

“But don’t hold your fucking breath, your kingship.”