What if she’d come here because Mariela needed him? What if there’d been a real emergency? She took her gaze off the building as the car pulled away. There was no place for him in Mariela’s life. Fortunately, she knew just how to get rid of him.

As Jonah left the office, Tatiana reclined on the chaise where she took most of her feedings. The power of his blood ignited within her, making her heart beat and lungs fill with air. She exhaled and nodded at Daciana, seated across from her. “You were right. This is exactly what I needed. I feel whole again. There really is no substitute for comarré blood.”

“None better,” Daci said. She watched the door shut behind Jonah. “He is especially good. Young and compliant and happy to serve.”

Tatiana tipped her head back to stare at the coffered ceiling. “They’re all like that in the beginning. So full of purpose and pride of place. Gah! Then they get full of themselves, think they’re worth so much more. That’s when the trouble starts.”

She smiled gently at Daci, who’d only meant to help, and softened her tone as she straightened. “I really must get another comar, as much as I am loath to.” She ran her fingers over the silk upholstery. “You did such a wonderful job picking out Jonah. Would you be willing to act as my emissary and go to Madame Rennata on my behalf? I have no desire to face that old witch. I know she blames me for her comar’s desertion. And I trust your judgment. I’m sure you’ll bring back the very best comar she has to offer.”

Daci’s eyes brightened. “I would be honored to! After all, you taught me everything I know about choosing one.” Her chest puffed up a bit. “And I am your Elder. That certainly seems like a job I should handle. Has Rennata replied to you on the issue of Damian?”

Tatiana nodded toward her desk. “Her letter is on my desk. Somewhere among the flowers and apologies there is her word that I am to be given full credit for his blood rights.” She shook her head. “I’m sure that will still leave money owed as I doubt she’ll let me have another for the same price, but I don’t care. Whatever it costs, I want the best.” She tipped her chin toward Daci. “The one you deem best.”

“I’ll take care of it immediately. Right now if you wish me to.”

Tatiana nodded reluctantly. “I do. I want to feed again soon. Build my strength a little more until I’m fully confident in my ability to face the ancient ones.” Thoughts of her dear, sweet missing Lilith dampened her mood.

Daci came to sit beside her. She laid her hand on Tatiana’s leg. “I know you’re thinking of Lilith. We will get her back. I promise you. Whatever you need me to do, I will do it.”

Tatiana slid her hand over the top of Daci’s. “I know you will. And I appreciate your loyalty.” She gave Daci’s hand a squeeze, then looked deeply into her eyes. “My dealings with the ancient ones have never been easy. If I don’t… survive their demands, I want you to know that I would be happy to see you as Dominus of the House of Tepes.”

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Horror marred Daci’s pretty face. She yanked her hand out from under Tatiana’s. “Don’t say such things!” She stood and shook her head. “You need more blood. It’s clear you’re still not yourself. Where is that letter? I’m going to the Primoris Domus immediately.”

Tatiana pointed to her desk. “Right on top.”

Daci grabbed the letter and waved it like a flag. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Then we’ll get you up to full power and make our next move.”

“Thank you. You’re too good to me.”

Daci smiled and gave a little nod as she left. Tatiana reclined on the chaise again, listening as Daci’s footsteps faded. As much as Tatiana agreed that she needed a new comar, she’d wanted Daci out of the house more.

Daci was too dear a friend to put in harm’s way. With a sigh, Tatiana resigned herself to what needed to be done. She pushed to her feet and went to the office door, opened it, and stuck her head into the anteroom, where one of the house servants awaited her needs. “I’m not to be disturbed until I come out again, understood?”

The servant nodded without making eye contact. “Yes, my lady.”

Tatiana went back in, locked the door, and walked to the front of her desk. With a few deep breaths, she forced away her residual anger toward the ancients. She needed to be calm. Confident. Respectful, despite the fact that they had stolen her child from her arms. But more than just respectful, she must appear worthy of the power and position that had been bestowed upon her. The ancients were fickle, as they’d proved. She must not give them reason to strip anything else from her.

She pulled the chairs aside and stood in the small clearing, girding herself for what was about to happen. Then she tipped her head back and spoke to the one she’d worked so hard to please, the one who owed her so much for her undying loyalty, the one who’d betrayed her just as Octavian had.

“Samael, my liege. I respectfully request your company.”

Chapter Four

The weather had cooled enough that Chrysabelle tugged one of Maris’s long white cardigans over her tunic and pants before heading out to sit by the pool, but the change in temperature wouldn’t keep her from taking in the evening’s quiet. If anything, the calm only seemed to reinforce her determination to move confidently forward with her life while the soft lap of the bay against the new dock and the occasional grunt of a cormorant helped soothe the pressure of everything she might not be able to resolve.




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