“Toilet paper?” He raised a brow, a slight smirk on his face.
Nodding, I put my feet down and placed my elbows on my desk, leaning forward. “You can talk to her, but be up front about your intentions. If I hear so much as wedding bells on her end, you’re in deep shit.”
He held up his hands. “I promise not to marry her.”
“That’s not what-”
I was cut off by my phone chiming with a text. Glancing down, I frowned at Drake’s message.
Jenna has one of my men hostage. I suggest you come over immediately.
MIKEY AND I STOOD AT the Vampire mansion gates, five Magicteers standing behind us. This was the first time in a while we’d been able to bring our own police into their territory. I didn’t know if this was something I should see as an accomplishment, or if it would totally ruin what we’d been able to achieve so far.
Did Jenna just ruin our treaty? What the fuck is she thinking? Why would she walk into a house full of Vampires and take one hostage?
Shaking my head, I watched the gate open. We climbed back into our vehicle to drive up to the house. I dreaded what we were about to face. Ethan would know what to do, but I had to rely on myself this time. It was my job as High Mistress. I also brought our top hostage negotiator, hoping he might be able to convince her to release whomever she had.
Drake met us at the door, a grim expression on his face. “She’s in the dining room. I’m not sure what her plan is, but I want it taken care of. I will not have Witches coming into my home to harm my people. We welcomed her and this is how she repays us?” He turned to go back into the house.
Mikey raised his eyebrows at me. This was a sensitive situation. One that could affect the relationship between our kinds. My stress level rose quickly. I braced a hand against the doorway and took a deep breath, blowing it out, trying to calm myself. Mikey gave me a look of concern, but I just shook my head and headed into the house.
When we walked into the dining room, my heart chilled at what I saw. Jenna aiming a stake at the Vampire’s heart. His eyes were wide, sweat pouring down his face.
I tried to speak in a calm, controlled voice. “Jenna, what are you doing?”
She gave me a quick look, frowning. Her hair was disheveled, like she had just gotten out of bed. “This bastard is what I’m doing. He’s going to die by my hands, even if it means my own death,” she hissed.
Drake glared, his hands gripping the back of a dining room chair as he leaned forward. “This man is an innocent! What is the point of this?”
“A couple weeks ago, this asshole came into my home and took advantage of me. He destroyed me in a matter of minutes. This is how I want my revenge.” She hovered her hand over his heart. He started screaming as his chest began to bow to the pressure of her magic.
“Jenna! Stop!” I shouted. I knew we should use the negotiator, but I felt it was too late. There was no stopping her. I understood. I would want to kill the man myself, but the Vampires wouldn’t see it that way. They’d want a fair trial. Or so they’d claim.
Seeing the Vampire squirm under Jenna’s hold, I frowned. She shouldn’t have been able to hold him so still. She...
I gasped when it dawned on me. Jenna’s a Vampire.
Witches who were turned didn’t survive five years. No wonder she had a crazy look in her eyes. The man basically signed her death certificate.
“Oh, Jenna. Why didn’t you come to me? This is why you told them about us holding Drake. You wanted access to this damn Vampire,” I said in a soft voice, moving closer.
She snorted. “Please, Sophie. Come to you and say what? You were too busy dealing with your own problems. I’m just the best friend who gets ignored.” When she revealed her fangs, everyone gasped.
Drake stiffened, then moved, suddenly standing in front of Jenna and the Vampire. With speed faster than I had ever seen, he tore out the man’s heart.
Jenna scrambled up, her mouth hanging open. Angry, her eyes darkened as she hissed. “He was mine to kill! Mine!”
She shoved Drake hard, making him stumble back. When his guards rushed forward, he held up a hand to stop them.
“It’s better for you that I killed him myself. Had you taken his life, you would be forced to stand trial for murder.” Drake dropped the heart onto the table, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe off his hand.
“But he did this to me!” She pointed at her fangs. “I had every right!”
“Well, considering your High Mistress has yet to sign the treaty...” He looked at me, “you didn’t. Had you done it after the treaty agreement was signed, you would have been well within your rights.”
My mouth dropped open. “You haven’t sent the paperwork to me yet!”
He shrugged, still wiping off his hands. “It’s on its way to your office and will be there once you get back.” When he turned to me, I saw his cold expression. “You’re lucky I don’t place her in a cell for invading my home. This is betrayal, grounds to cancel the treaty we have in the works.”
I knew he was going to say that. It wouldn’t be the new Drake if he didn’t. Growling, I started to lunge at him, but Mikey grabbed my arm.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Drake?” I demanded.
“Are you about to ruin what is left our possible treaty? It’s hanging by a thread already, Sophie,” Drake said, tossing
