Fated In Secrets (Nocturne Vampire Clan #2)

Epilogue

MALACHI

I would have preferred Evangeline chose me.

Chose to fight beside me, as my equal and end this threat to our kind.

To make the right decision, not the safe one.

But…I’d given her no reason to trust me. In fact, I’d treated her dreadfully, and now, in my time of need, when things were truly desperate, I had to rely on manipulation and force, instead of taking a gentler approach.

I tugged Vicious closer, until her hip pressed against mine, her curves fitting perfectly as I held her in place. Even with my glamour, even with my blood inside her, she resisted. And that defiance…

Well, that defiance would add a delicious twist to these next few days.

“Here they come, love. Now be a good girl, and repeat everything I say and your friend , the lovely Fiona will return to House Drakeheart alive and intact.”

Blake and Riordan appeared together, Commander Nash behind them, along with enough soldiers to wage war. Too bad their effort was wasted.

I didn’t come here tonight to start a war, I came, oddly enough, to prevent one.

Not that they would see things that way.

Black shadows and red tinged fire brewed around them, slamming and crashing against my shield without leaving a dent. As powerful as these two were, and as much as I would have liked to draw this out, time wasn’t something I had in abundance right now.

“Gentlemen. As you can see, Evangeline is quite safe. I assure you, she will remain so.”

“I’m pounding you into fucking dogmeat.” Marten growled predictably, those deadly shadows looming up over him. Riordan’s evaluating gaze danced over me, Vicious, Fiona, searching for an opening.

“Evangeline has something to say. Tell them, darling.”

Oh, how she fought me, thrashing against my will, defiant to the bitter end, even when she knew she’d never win.

“That kiss…meant something to me.” I turned her head, made her gaze up at me adoringly, even though her glare cut sharper than razors. “Malachi is willing to call off this war, in exchange for me leaving with him. I’ve agreed.”

Blake’s fury was explosive, Riordan stewing in that cold anger so like his sire’s. While I was pausing my vengeance against these two, the campaign to make Evangeline mine was now in full force.

I’d never played fair.

Fair was for losers and those who never made history.

“Let her go, you sick fuck.” Marten rasped, “leave her out of this.”

I shrugged. “This is her choice. Tell them what I offered you.” I leaned down and pressed my lips to her ear. “ Everything I’ve promised you.” And perhaps I was being wicked, but since I’d been cheated of my victory, I deserved to have a little fun.

“One week. In Malachi’s castle. To do whatever he wants with me. That’s the deal I’ve agreed to. ”

As I’d hoped, every word crushed them, Marten’s shoulders slumping, Riordan’s eyes closing, as if he were trying to hold himself together.

Right before I spirited us away, I took a moment to bask in their impotent rage. I could live a century off the misery brewing in Marten and the king, as they stood there, brimming with magic, yet more powerless than they’d ever been in their short, inconsequential lives.

“I will return her, unharmed, in seven days.” I winked. “You have my word.” Blake Marten threw his head back and roared.

Seeing all of Rome crumble didn’t hold a fucking candle to the glory of this moment.

Thank you so much for reading!

The story continues with FATED IN RUIN !

Malachi’s terms are clear: one week in his castle, with no limits. It’s a challenge, a test of my will, and my only chance to gain the powers I need to survive in this deadly new world. But as the attraction between us turns incandescent, I begin to wonder if my greatest threat is losing control… or surrendering to him completely.

Find out how far Evie will go to protect her mate an d

her king as she’s plunged into a game of power, passion, and peril.

Craving more steamy, vampy goodness right now? Sink your fangs into one of my other completed vampire clan series:

The Shadowsend Vampire Clan series

The Darkfell Vampire Clan series

The Blackstone Vampire Clan series