Shadow's Claim

Chapter 7

After Bettina tossed on a robe and ripped off her mask, she all but dived for Salem’s bell, ringing it frantically.

“What’s bloody wrong with you, chit?” the nearly empty jug on her coffee table demanded.

“Have you been watching over Cas?”

“I have. I morphed wiv the ceiling directly over the bed of the strumpet he’s been pile-driving for hours. He’s been doing things to her that you would not believe. I’ll just pop off and get back to me post—”

“Wait.” Bettina ground her teeth, reminding herself that it wasn’t as if she and Cas had any commitment between them.

And it isn’t like I haven’t been with somebody else tonight.

“Go back to the strumpet’s,” she bit out, “and tell Caspion that I met the vampire sent to assassinate him.”

The air shivered around her, the only indicator of Salem’s emotions. No longer was he in the jug. She sensed him occupying a curl of her hair.

Right at her ear, he yelled, “An assassin was in your apartments? Why the bloody-ell didn’t you call for me?”

Bettina jumped. “Just go get Cas! I’ll explain everything to the two of you.”

“I should have been here wiv you. And what if this leech returns? I’ll tell Raum—”

“No! I don’t believe there’s a danger now that the sun’s risen. Now go!”

Three minutes later, both Salem and Cas returned to her rooms. Cas was half-dressed, reeking of perfume, his horns and mouth smeared with lipstick. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing flawless bronzed skin and more lipstick all the way to his navel.

What faceless female had enjoyed Cas’s body over the night? Gods, the jealousy stung! Sometimes Bettina was glad that she didn’t still possess her Sorceri power, could only imagine what she might be tempted to do in a fit of pique.

She gazed down at her splayed fingers; even after all this time, she expected power and light to boil up from her palms. Instead, emptiness tolled inside her.

A hollowness that nothing can alleviate. . . .

“You saw him?” Cas demanded as he pulled on a boot. “He was here?”

“Yes. In the flesh.” And in my bed.

“How are you still alive?” Somewhat dressed, Cas laid his roughened hands on her shoulders, much as the vampire had done. “He never leaves anyone alive! It’s forbidden for him to be seen by otherlanders!”

She swallowed. “I’m . . . well, I guess I’m an exception.”

Salem shimmered through the room, possessing one of Cas’s hands, but the demon shuddered, flicking his fingers with disgust.

Salem alighted, settling back into her hair. “Divvy, princess.”

“The thing of it is . . . I’m his Bride.”

As Cas gaped, Salem said, “So the demon pissed off some vampires, and they hired an assassin who recognizes you as his mate? Oh, this just gets better and better.”

“That’s about right.”

Cas opened his mouth to speak, closed it, then tried once more before saying, “You blooded him?”

“Why do you sound that disbelieving?” She tightened the sash on her robe with snappish motions. “Some males actually find me attractive, Caspion.”

“I know, I know. But—”

“And don’t make it sound like this is my fault! I was asleep in my bed minding my own business when he appeared in my room.”

“Because he was looking for me!” Cas backed away from her, swiping the back of his hand over his lipstick- stained mouth. “I’ve put you in danger, put you in that bastard’s sights.” Then he frowned. “Why is the vampire not here, trying to steal you?”

How embarrassing. She stared at the floor when she admitted, “I think he left me . . . because I told him of my feelings for you. He was angered.” But not toward the very end. Then he’d seemed detached, unaffected by what had taken place between them.

“The bloody Prince of Shadow,” Cas said. “Angered. What have I done?”

“How did he get past my warding spell in the first place?” She’d been completely vulnerable. What if he’d had ill intent? Her hand went to her throat. Could the Vrekeners get in at will? That spell had been in place since the castle had been built—was it expiring?

“The vampire turned to mist,” Cas absently said. “He’s got centuries of experience foiling barriers. I was certain he could get to me.”

“Mist! Vampires!” Salem exclaimed. “You two are talkin’ about a Dacian?”

“He told me his name was Daciano,” Bettina said. “What exactly is a Dacian? I thought they were the Horde’s boogeymen. Super-vampires of legend.”

Cas muttered a harsh curse. “They are secret. Anyone who knows of them dies! I’ll not speak of this in front of Salem.”

“As if I can’t find out all soon anyway,” Salem said. “I’m a phantom. Well, a sylph. Don’t you two understand that there’re no secrets kept from Salem? None.” He addressed Bettina. “Like when the princess noshed hallucinogens last year at a—what do the mortals call it?—rave.”

How could he know that?

To Cas, he said, “Or what you did wiv those two Lykae sisters one full moon? Almost lost a hand that night, yeah?”

Cas swallowed uncomfortably, looking shamefaced. What happened with the she-wolves?

“Fine. You know things,” Cas said. “But how can we be assured that you haven’t been telling all this to Raum?”

“Because Raum has two gears: jolly and furious—bear hug or battle-ax to the brain. He can’t hide reactions. Now, you two, decide: Salem as ally or enemy?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why do you want to be involved in our lives if not to tell Raum all you learn?”

“Because I can’t fight, eat, drink, sleep, or wank. It’s difficult to get a leg over when you don’t have legs! I want in on the intrigue! Now, demon, what did you do?”

Bettina sank down on her settee. “Oh, for gold’s sake, Cas, just tell him.”

With a grated sound of irritation, he said, “I left. Once you enter Dacia, you can’t leave without special permission. It’s granted very rarely for native Daci—and never to kingdom newcomers.”

“Did no one tell you these rules?” she asked.

“I thought I could get around them, or that my sponsor would call the dogs off. At worst, I believed I’d have sanctuary here. I never told them I was from Abaddon, still don’t know how their killer reached me here so quickly. He can’t have ever been here before.” Cas rubbed his palm over his face. “And how in the gods’ names did he find you?”

“I have no idea. I just woke up and there he was.”

Cas cast her a puzzled look. “How could he leave if his blooding wasn’t completed?”

When Bettina studied her hands in her lap, tension rolled off him, so strong she gazed up again. Never had she seen him so furious. Even Salem had begun to blur the air with his anger.

“He forced you?” Cas grated. “I will gut him before he ever has a chance to strike at me!”

“No! It wasn’t like that.”

Salem snapped, “Then what was it like?”