Fated In Secrets (Nocturne Vampire Clan #2)

Chapter 11

11

EVANGELINE

I slammed out of Riordan’s office, face burning as I stormed down the hall. The echoes of what almost happened filled me with a pulsing, restless energy that had nowhere left to go, except to feed my anger.

I wanted to either kill someone or fuck someone and it was a toss up to which of those options would make me feel better.

If only Blake was here…but no. My mate was beyond my reach.

I charged down the hall, putting as much distance between me and Riordan Fucking Graves as possible. I smoothed back my hair, fanned my burning face and promised myself that would be the last time his majesty would reel me in with his smooth lies and heavenly scent.

I was done trying playing games with a male who guarded his heart as fiercely as his own shadow. I wanted to be free of this place—its cryptic corridors, dark enchantments, and the king himself.

Supposedly I wasn’t his prisoner any longer, a claim I meant to put to the test.

I beelined down the darkened hallway toward the castle’s outer doors. I was so out of here. I’d go downtown, somewhere to clear my head and remember what life was like before… this .

Maybe I’d stop by Valentine’s. Drink some whiskey. Get into some trouble.

The idea definitely perked me up.

But when I turned the next corner, my steps faltered.

“Good evening, Evangeline.” Malachi’s deep croon was a mix of pent-up sexual innuendo and malice. “You’re looking rather…unsatisfied tonight. I could help with that.”

Draven leaned against a stone pillar, a knowing smirk dancing on his full lips as he dragged his gaze over me, as if he saw every burning spot Riordan’s fingers touched me.

The blond vampire blended seamlessly into the shadows, his dark attire and eerie stillness lending him that air of predatory calm. Somehow, his presence was even more unsettling in this moment—as if he’d been expecting me.

“About earlier…I must apologize for my poor timing.” He said, not sorry at all. “I didn’t mean to…interrupt.”

My jaw tightened. I distrusted Malachi with every inch of my being, despite the fact he’d saved our asses against Tyrell. Someone naiver might believe he’d rescued us out of the goodness of his heart, but I knew better.

I knew better and still…some dark part of me was drawn to him.

I wanted to shove him, to see how far I could push.

Wanted to taunt him, to see those teeth of his.

Wanted to fight him like I’d never fought anyone else, and if I was being honest …maybe I even wanted to lose.

But one thing I could never forget—keeping us alive worked to Malachi’s advantage. And I didn’t doubt the moment we ceased being useful, we’d be dead.

“Get out of my fucking way.” I was a powder keg of emotions and bad decisions waiting to happen. And I was wary of the cunning lurking behind Malachi’s guileless charm .

If Riordan was fire and rage, and Blake was a brooding thunderstorm, Malachi was smoke and mirrors, always a step ahead, always an agenda hidden beneath that languid smile.

"Evangeline," he drawled, his voice as smooth as silk but with an edge that pricked my nerves. "You’re not thinking of leaving your cushy little nest, are you? I didn’t take you for the type to run from a little challenge."

“Who says I’m running?” I didn’t stop, unwilling to let him see that his presence unsettled me. "I need a change of scenery. And if you don’t mind, I’d rather not waste time with… whatever your bullshit is today."

He chuckled softly, pushing off the pillar to block my path with that easy, feline grace. "Oh, but I’ve been waiting so patiently, though I thought it might take the king a bit longer to…finish. You’ll want to hear what I have to say." He raised an eyebrow, those pale brown eyes gleaming with predatory amusement. "Especially after the little lover’s spat, I happened to overhear."

I scowled, cursing the castle’s notorious acoustics that made eavesdropping far too easy for someone like him. "What do you want, Malachi?"

"A very dangerous question for you to ask, Evangeline," he said, inspecting me with a piercing gaze that peeled away my thoughts. "Have you ever wondered what Riordan’s really planning to do next?"

A flicker of curiosity betrayed me, and Malachi’s smirk widened.

"Why should I believe anything you say?" I replied, folding my arms over my chest. "You’re every bit as evasive as him, and twice as untrustworthy."

"Perhaps," he conceded, his gaze never leaving mine. "But I’m offering you something Riordan won’t. A piece of the truth. In time, if we…collaborate, the whole truth. Of course, everything has a price."

Of fucking course, it does . I narrowed my eyes, wary of the trap those careful words concealed. "What’s your price this time, Malachi?"

He sauntered closer, his voice lowering to a whisper, the weight of it curling around me like tendrils of smoke. "All I ask is one small favor. Something well within your capabilities. After all, I wouldn’t want to burden you overly much."

First Riordan, now Malachi, with their favors .

Well, the joke was on them, because fuck them both.

I scoffed, "you don’t know the meaning of ‘small favor.’ Tell me what you want, I’ll turn you down flat and we can get on with our respective evenings."

He leaned closer and sniffed, Malachi’s gaze sharpening, his smirk fading into something hungry and cruel and I wondered if he’d lied about not being addicted to my blood. Clearly, Riordan could control his hunger, but Blake...Blake couldn’t even be around me.

I stepped back to reclaim some distance.

"There’s a document locked away in Riordan’s study. Old, obscure, one he doesn’t even know exists. A small folio with a red leather cover, marked with a golden wolf’s head. I would like you to bring that item to me."

A chill settled into my bones. "You want me to steal from the king of this clan?"

What a dick. The penalty for that had to death, or something equally gruesome.

"Steal is such a harsh word," he said, brushing off the accusation with a casual wave of his hand. "Think of it as… borrowing. I’ll even return said item after I’ve had a chance to inspect the contents. And in return, I will tell you why you are being locked away like a princess in a tower. ”

“What is this… folio ?”

“Something that belonged to Tyrell, and now that he’s dead, no harm can come of the information contained therein. This is simply curiosity. You wouldn’t want to deprive me of that tiny, harmless pleasure, would you?"

The faintest flicker of regret crossed his face, quickly replaced by that unreadable smile. For a brief moment, I felt as though I could see through his mask—then the moment passed, his expression as opaque as ever.

"Do you honestly believe I’d do that for you?" I challenged.

He shrugged, an infuriating glint in his eyes. "Believe what you will. But you are at great risk. Riordan will never tell you the truth. Enemies gather outside these walls; your sister is in no shape to go on the run. But if you help me…" His voice trailed off, leaving the promise hanging in the air.

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to tell him to fuck off. But temptation gnawed at me. He was right. I had to protect Angel. I needed answers, and something told me Malachi could offer at least a fraction of the truth.

“Riordan used you today, Evangeline. Used you and left you wanting. Don’t you want to hurt him, just a little? Don’t you want to teach him the cost of hurting you?”

“Yes," I admitted, the word leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. "But if you double-cross me, you’ll regret the day you met me."

“Oh, I will never regret that day, Vicious. I still taste you sometimes, and you are still every bit as delicious.” Malachi’s tongue rimmed his lips, slow and sensual, eyes gleaming. "And I wouldn’t dream of reneging."

With that, he melted back into the shadows, leaving me alone, a mixture of helplessness and determination simmering within me. I didn’t trust him—but I couldn’t walk away from the chance to finally uncover what lay beneath Riordan’s facade and get a little revenge for today.

And he was right about my sister.

Even if we could escape the castle, and outrun all our enemies, she was too fragile for a life on the run. Until Angel recovered, we were trapped. I had no choice but to learn as much as I could, so I could protect us both.

Steeling myself, I continued down the corridor, heading for the grounds.

Fresh air, I reasoned, would give me some perspective, and cool my raging libido, which was seriously out of control.