Chapter 19 #2
Without thinking, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I have a feeling tomorrow is going to test us both in ways we haven’t anticipated.”
“More than tonight already has?”
“Tonight was just Lana being suspicious. Tomorrow…” He paused, his mind already turning to the countless variables they’d have to navigate. “Tomorrow, everyone will be playing for keeps.”
Including him. Including them.
And despite the dangers ahead, despite the blood still staining his toilet and the tremor that occasionally ran through Nadi’s hands, Raziel found himself looking forward to it.
After all, chaos had always been his preferred element.
The clock chimed. He swore. “I’ll have to learn what else you know when I return. I need to go meet my brother. Are you all right on your own?”
“Go. Not the first time I’ve had food poisoning.” Clearly exhausted, Nadi collapsed onto the bed, her glamor of Monica returning as she fell. He couldn’t imagine what it was like to have to exist like that.
But now, it was time for him to meet Mael and to learn where the last and most important piece on the board was going to be set before Lana’s wedding. Because if everything went to plan, his brother would be dead within twenty-four hours.
And damn him if that didn’t bring a smile to his face.
Raziel sat in Mael’s home study, projecting an image of subdued compliance while internally cataloging every weapon within reach. His brother’s personal office was a study in controlled power—light-stained wood, leather-bound books, and artifacts from conquered territories displayed like trophies.
“I appreciate your understanding about the new arrangements.” Mael perfectly feigned sympathy while pouring bloodwine into two crystal glasses. “Mother feels it’s time for you to step back from active operations.”
“Of course.” Raziel accepted the glass. “The family’s needs come first.”
Mael studied him carefully. “You’re taking this rather well. I expected more… resistance.”
“Perhaps recent events have given me perspective.” Raziel sipped his wine, maintaining his mask of resignation. “Braen’s death was a reminder of the costs of this life. Maybe it’s time I found other pursuits.”
“Such as?”
“Monica, for one.” The lie came easily. “I find myself deeply invested in her development. She has potential that goes beyond her current abilities. And if that means I need to take a back seat, so be it.”
Something flickered in Mael’s golden eyes. “She is remarkable, isn’t she? Such adaptability, such strength.” He paused. “I’ve been meaning to ask—her injuries from the Rosov estate. How severe were they really?”
Raziel’s hand tightened almost imperceptibly around his glass. “Severe. Silver poisoning isn’t something to be taken lightly, especially for a new vampire.”
“Of course.” Mael nodded sympathetically. “It must have been difficult, watching someone you care about suffer like that.”
The word choice was pointed and significant. Care. Mael did not go so far as to claim that Raziel loved Monica. Nor did he suggest that Raziel held no feelings for her either. Interesting. He was waiting to see if Raziel would correct him.
“It was certainly educational.” Raziel met his brother’s gaze steadily. “I learned quite a bit about my own priorities during those three days.”
“I’m sure you did.” Mael moved to stand beside the window, looking out over the metropolis. “The city is changing, Raziel. Old powers are shifting, new alliances are forming. The question is whether we adapt or get swept aside.”
“And where do I fit in this new order?”
“That depends entirely on you.” Mael turned to face him. “Your talents haven’t diminished, but perhaps they could be… redirected. Less emphasis on direct action, more on strategic consultation.”
Strategic consultation. A euphemism for being kept like a dangerous pet, fed scraps of information and occasionally unleashed under careful supervision.
“I’m honored by your confidence,” Raziel said smoothly.
“Good.” Mael smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Because I have a special assignment for you regarding tomorrow’s ceremony.”
Raziel waited, readying himself to fight if he needed to.
“There have been… rumors,” Mael continued. “Whispers of potential disruption to the wedding. Nothing concrete, you understand, but concerning enough that we’re taking extra precautions.”
“What kind of disruption?”
“The same old enemies who couldn’t help but interrupt your wedding,” Mael’s voice dropped lower. “There are those who see our alliance with the Rosovs as a threat to the existing balance of power. We have reason to believe representatives of these factions may attempt to infiltrate the ceremony.”
Fae. He was talking about fae infiltrators. Perhaps the same one that Nadi had seen? But how much did Mael actually know?
“What would you have me do?” Raziel asked.
“I want you to work with our security teams tomorrow. Your… particular gifts… make you uniquely suited to solving any particular issues quietly and quickly.”
It was a test, Raziel realized. Mael suspected something—whether about Monica’s true nature or Raziel’s own loyalties, he couldn’t be sure. But this assignment would put him exactly where he needed to be to protect Nadi while positioning himself for their planned strike.
“I’ll be honored to serve.” He sipped the drink.
“Excellent.” Mael moved back to his desk, retrieving a folder thick with documents. “Here are the guest lists, security protocols, and intelligence reports. Study them carefully. I want you familiar with every face that will be in attendance tomorrow.”
Raziel accepted the folder, his mind already racing. Among these documents would be valuable intelligence about security at the event—information that could make the difference between success and catastrophe for their mission.
Mael’s eyes never left him as he studied the folder. “Keep a close eye on Monica tomorrow. Given her… unique abilities… she may be particularly attractive to those who would wish us harm.”
The warning sent ice through Raziel’s veins. “You think she’s in danger?”
“I think she’s valuable,” Mael corrected. “And valuable things have a tendency to be stolen if they are not properly guarded.”
“No one knows that more than me, brother.”
“One more thing,” Mael added as Raziel rose to leave. “The ledger. The one that Braen kept on all his… dealings.” He grimaced. “Bring it tomorrow. I have need of it.”
“Monica told me you asked for it. May I ask why?”
Mael’s smile was picture-perfect. Jovial. Friendly. And couldn’t have matched his voice less if it had belonged to one of the paintings on the wall. “No. You may not. Now, go.”
Raziel’s jaw ticked as he left the room.
Tomorrow would be an interesting day, indeed.
It was late that night before Raziel returned home. Nadi couldn’t sleep. She was lying there in his nest of thick blankets and comforters, her mind churning with possibilities for the next day. Mapping out each possible outcome for their attempt on Mael’s life.
There were too many variables. Too many possible approaches. It made her nervous. They didn’t even know how they were going to take him down yet. Only that they were going to “wait for the right opportunity.”
She hated it. Hated it.
The door to his room opened as Raziel walked in.
She didn’t even need to look to know it was him.
She recognized the sound of the way he moved, the way he smelled in the air.
He clicked the door shut behind him and threw the deadbolts.
He held a thick folder in his hand that he tossed onto the dresser.
It meant she could drop her glamor again, which she was more than eager to do so. “How did it go with Mael?” She turned her head on the pillow to watch him.
“You first.” His expression was drawn tight. He was still lost in thought. “Lana. What else did you learn?”
Rolling onto her side, she stretched with a yawn. “Lana and Zabriel have been conducting a secret romance for three years. This isn’t just a political marriage—they’re genuinely in love.”
That got his attention. He turned to face her as he unbuttoned his shirt, his crimson eyes sharp with interest. “Are you certain?”
“Absolutely. And it changes everything about tomorrow’s power dynamics.
” She cracked her spine, glad to finally be out from under Monica’s appearance.
“If they’ve been planning this alliance for years rather than months, they’ve had time to build networks, establish loyalties, position themselves for what comes after. ”
“After they eliminate the current leadership…” Raziel murmured, tossing his shirt aside.
“What did you learn from Mael?”
“That we’re not the only ones planning surprises for tomorrow.” He gestured at the thick folder on the dresser. “You were right about that seamstress. Mael thinks that fae are trying to infiltrate the wedding.”
Getting up, Nadi walked across the room to the folder, not caring that she was stark naked. It was nothing Raziel hadn’t seen or enjoyed many times already.
Flipping over the folder, she found the document she was interested in. Scanning it quickly, her blood went cold. The Nostroms had been monitoring increased fae activity in the outer cities for weeks.
Communication patterns suggesting coordination between normally isolationist clans. Reports of strangers asking questions about vampire security protocols. Smuggling routes.
Including putting unsanctioned and uncontrolled escorts in and out for the night of the wedding. “This is why he wanted Braen’s ledger. He wants to know who is coming in and going out of the city, who is smuggling them, who is helping buy them.”
“Which raises the question,” his hand on her shoulder turned her to face him, “do you know anything about this?”
The question hung between them like a blade. Nadi met his gaze steadily, knowing that her answer would determine whether he still trusted her or began to see her as another threat to neutralize.