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  “I already have everything I want, and anything else, I can get on my own. I merely want your word that you’re not trying to sabotage our relationship.”

  “That’s all you want? My word?” I asked.

  “My people consider it sacred. I would hope that you uphold it with the same respect I do.”

  Balthazar had the look and character of a born vampire, but for the first time, I wondered if he had been human at one point in time, especially with his comment about how he was willing to give us both time to adjust and get to know one another.

  “I give you my word that I am not doing anything to sabotage this.” Because truthfully, I wasn’t. Certainly not by rushing into danger to avenge a ghost who didn’t deserve what they got, simply because some vampires got their kicks off using them. Like me.

  “I agree to the terms, then. But I will insist on keeping you safe above everything else. If the situation starts to spiral out of hand, I will extract you from it, and we will return to Kodiak Falls.”

  Fuck.

  “Okay.”

  As I ended the call, a cold wind gusted though me, and my hair went flying.

  “You just sold your soul to the devil,” Jason remarked as he sat down next to me.

  “Maybe, but my body and life already belong to him.”

  “Mmm, but your soul and spirit always belonged to you.”

  “You’re a terrible friend.”

  “I never claimed to be a good one.”

  For the first time that day, I genuinely smiled.

  ***

  The next two days were a flurry of activity. After letting Nix know that Balthazar was willing to meet and repeating the story I wove for him, we began our preparations. Jason and I trained, both with my magic and his lingering presence. He needed to learn how to move objects. It was a crucial part in Nix’s plan for extraction. Jason would tip over a jar we set aside to indicate it was time. Nix wanted me to be ready and spent hours briefing me on their protocols and how they would maintain contact with me. Audio contact would be extremely limited since I would be wearing very little to believably play the part of a slave.

  Fear swelled inside me as the prospect became more real. I reminded myself that they would come for me. Indigo would come for me. He had before, and he would again. If not, then I would fight like hell to get myself out. My range was farther than it had ever been before. The dead couldn’t hide from me. I would use any advantage I had.

  We were getting ready for the meeting with Balthazar, and tomorrow, we would begin the process. Travis, Nix’s contact, would join our meeting, but Balthazar and I needed to get into character before pairing up with him.

  Everything felt as if it was moving a mile a minute but as slow as a snail. The anticipation ratcheted up my anxiety levels.

  Indigo let me sleep in his room again that night, and when I woke in the morning, he was wrapped around me. In his defense, I clung to him in my sleep.

  “Rowan.” Indigo touched my elbow as I stared out the window of the apartment.

  Soon, we would leave, and I would be placed in Balthazar’s care, handed over to him by the werewolf I’d known all my life and who still cared a great deal about me. Indigo knew the situation I was in, but I doubted either one of us ever thought he would meet my betrothed.

  I brushed off his concern, unwilling to let him see how nervous I was. “I’m good. We ready to head out?”

  “Yeah. Do you have your overnight bag?”

  “I got it.”

  “Keep Jason close. If it comes down to it, have Jason contact your brother Kent.” When I nodded, he continued, “Promise me that if anything goes south, you’ll send Jason to your brother. Promise me you’ll ask for help when you need it.”

  “When haven’t I?” I asked, poking his side.

  “Why don’t we start from the most recent example and work our way back? There was the fire escape at the apartment buildings back home. Remember that one? The ghost was haunting you, but you didn’t tell anyone until he led those people there to kidnap you. Or what about the time when we were in high school...”

  “Okay, stop, I get it! I promise to ask for help if I need it,” I promised.

  “Then let’s go.”

  Chapter 21

  I patted my thighs apprehensively, my stomach clenched with anxiety. Shouldn’t this be easier? The meeting of the two men in my very strange, not-quite-realized love life. Balthazar stood quietly, elegantly dressed in black slacks paired with a dark charcoal gray button-down, sleeves rolled to the elbows. He looked the part of a brooding vampire.

  Where Balthazar was all clean-cut, freshly styled hair, Indigo was wild and unruly; the werewolf I’d known all my life, yet he was just as much a stranger to me as Balthazar. He wore faded jeans, relaxed and comfortable, topped with a leather jacket and a black t-shirt underneath.

  To a human, it was the obvious choice who looked the part of dangerous and scary. Balthazar peeled away from the brick wall outside the café where our meeting had been arranged. It was on the opposite side of town as far away from our home as we could get. Nix didn’t know that Balthazar already knew where I was staying.

  Balthazar looked at the two werewolves flanking me, his gaze sharpening on Indigo. Werewolves and vampires had equally talented sniffers, and I knew Indigo knew Balthazar’s scent. I began to suspect Balthazar recognized Indigo’s.

  “I will speak to him. You two remain quiet,” Nix said. I gave Indigo a look, but his jaw was clenched, hints of anger sparking in his eyes.

  “Balthazar,” Nix greeted, holding his hand out cordially to shake.

  “I fear I am at a disadvantage. I do not know your name.”

  “Phoenix Kenneally.”

  “Ah, I know your brother. Great Alpha. You must be Ibrahim’s youngest son, then. I knew I recognized you.” Balthazar didn’t offer his hand, nor did Indigo.

  “Yes, my nephew will be helping on the investigation. He can serve as backup, if need be. For now, I would like to go over the particulars with you. Rowan will be leaving with you. She understands her role, but I need you to understand yours. We do not enjoy bringing outsiders into our business, but because of the time sensitivity of this particular case, we need your help.”

  “I understand, and I am willing to help in any way I can. If my deehire is going to be in a dangerous situation, I am glad I will be there to protect her.”

  A quiet growl rattled from Indigo’s throat. I didn’t forget that we were close to the full moon, and he was on edge more than usual. I nudged him with my elbow to try and slow his motor. He grunted and glared at me.

  “Let’s proceed, shall we?” Balthazar opened the door to the café. I slipped through the door first, scoping out the place. There was a small booth near the back, sort of secluded, probably for couples coming in for a date. The plan was for Indigo to stay outside while the three of us talked. Well, I knew it would mostly be Balthazar and Nix speaking, but Nix insisted that I listen to the plan again.

  Indigo looked like he wanted to follow us, but he did as his uncle asked, remaining dutifully outside. Once we sat down, a waitress stopped by to ask for our drink orders. After she left, Nix went over the plan again.

  Nix had communicated with Travis, his contact, the same day we decided to go through with the plan of selling me and was surprised how fast he had an interested buyer. It worried me how quickly this all seemed to be moving, but Travis assured Nix that Curse Breakers were a hot commodity, especially on the Black Market. He said a lot of people claimed to have one, only to have it fall through once it was discovered the Curse Breaker was a fraud. Savvy buyers learned to pick up on a reliable source quickly.

  “Travis will meet you here.” Nix handed Balthazar an address.

  They continued to speak in quiet tones at a level where only vampires and werewolves could hear, but I could recite it word for word. Travis would be waiting for us. I would be blindfolded for the drive to wherever the potential buyer was waiting. I had to wear a
bare slip of clothing, and the part Indigo didn’t hear was how I would also wear bracelets that signified me as a vampire’s blood slave. Which again, Balthazar would supply. Only they could buy them, and it had to be approved by their Masters.

  My blood curdled at the thought of wearing them, but it had to be done. It was all part of the ruse. After that, we would be going in blind and would need to place our trust in Travis.

  “Act the part of a disgruntled owner, someone who has had enough of her attitude, and who lacks the time to sufficiently train her. Whatever you choose to do. But listen to Travis.” Turning to me, Nix asked, “Rowan, you understand your duties, correct? You will not engage them. Just get the information we need and get out. You have three days to escape on your own before we come in after you.”

  “I understand.”

  We debated on the number of days I should stay. We all assumed I would be placed into a holding area, and I wouldn’t be auctioned off right away. There was no telling if this interested buyer was our guy, which was where Jason came into play. He promised to help any way he could. Travis warned Nix that it might not be a clear-cut exchange. I could pass hands without a way to tell the others. The options of me getting the man we were hoping for were slim, but if we didn’t try now, he would move us on to the next potential buyer.

  When I was in captivity, I had to wear both blood slave bands and a faux staurolite band around my upper arm. Staurolite warded off ghosts and acted as a power dampener for necromancers. Kayana had added a location spell on it, buried deep into the stone, that would hopefully go undetected.

  They discussed the safety measures that would be enacted to protect Balthazar after this was over. Balthazar kept one eye on me while they spoke, touching my knee under the table as if to reassure me. I stood and excused myself, unable to handle his touch.

  Taking the long route to the bathroom, I stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air. It was mid-afternoon, and the chill still hadn’t left the air. Tilting my chin up, the warmth of sunlight beamed onto my cheeks.

  “Having second thoughts?” Jason asked.

  “Nope.”

  “Vampire is a fine-looking man.”

  “Well, if you were alive, I’d say he’s all yours,” I answered, still soaking in the sunlight with my eyes closed.

  “I don’t swing that way. Death’s just given me a new perspective on life. Has a certain werewolf caught your eye?”

  I snorted.

  “What did he say?” Indigo asked. I popped my eyes open and looked over at him.

  “Huh?”

  “I’m guessing you were speaking to your new ghost friend. What did he say to make you snort?” Indigo asked with a smile tugging at his lips.

  “Guys weren’t his thing while he was alive, but death gave him a new perspective,” I said with a smile.

  “Great advice from the dead. How are you feeling, Ro?”

  “I want to find this guy. I need to.”

  “Don’t forget, Ro. This is a mission, a job. We are here to serve the people and save them. But be careful and remember not to make it about revenge.” Indigo paused, letting that sink in.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple onyx ring. The cool magic from it pulsed as if calling out to me. The ring would act as my conductor. Kayana had interwoven into the design a magical tracker. Hopefully, one that would be undetectable. The plan was that if anyone started to suspect me, I would pulse my power. Kayana would be able to pick up on my surge of magic and would call in the troops.

  “For you. Keep it close and safe. Our secret.”

  Our secret. My lips tipped up at a memory—the three of us whenever we got into some sort of trouble I led us to. It was our pact.

  Indigo touched my cheek, and I peeked up at him through my lashes. My heart stuttered in my chest, and my stomach fluttered.

  The door chimed loudly behind us.

  “Rowan, we will be taking our leave,” Balthazar said as he joined us in front of the café. Nix came out a moment later and glared at his nephew. Balthazar clutched my bag in one hand, and when I reached for it, he held it a moment longer, waiting for me to meet his gaze. Looking him in the eye, I pulled the bag from his grasp. A possessiveness swirled in his stare—one I didn’t want him to have regarding me.

  “We’ll be in contact,” Nix said.

  Without a backwards glance, Balthazar grabbed my wrist and tugged me in the opposite direction. So, this was it. The start of our mission. My heart pounded in my chest as I peeked over my shoulder to look at Nix and Indigo.

  Indigo’s rage was sketched all over his features. His lips were peeled back, his fists were clenched, and he looked like he wanted nothing more than to follow us and snatch me from Balthazar’s grip. Nix had a restraining hand on his shoulder as a warning for Indigo to stop.

  I offered a half smile. “I promise, Indigo,” I said loud enough for him to hear. I would keep myself safe for him.

  ***

  Balthazar and I went back to his very fancy hotel room. He explained to me that he’d been staying there since he followed me after my exodus to the big city. The hotel felt too nice for someone like me. One of those hotels you weren’t sure you would be able to walk around in freely without getting stopped by someone and asked to leave because you didn’t belong. The view was out of this world, though. His window overlooked the city, and as the days got shorter, the light went faster, and the nightlife roared to life.

  “Would you like me to order you something to eat, Rowan? You should consider eating a more substantial meal since we don’t know the situation in which you will be placed in the coming days.”

  “No.” Though I knew Balthazar cared for me and was only concerned for my well-being, my stomach was in knots. Indigo may have calmed down after I promised him, but the weight of the situation settled ponderously on my shoulders. I wasn’t officially trained for this sort of thing. Even if I was, how could you possibly prepare for a situation where literally anything could happen?

  “I insist that you eat. I will order something on your behalf if you continue to refuse, Rowan. I will take care of you until I am no longer at the point I can do so,” he added, handing me a menu. I stepped away from the window and looked it over, settling on a burger.

  Half an hour later it arrived, and the smell alone made me realize how hungry I was. Balthazar placed a hefty tip in the room service manager’s hand and closed the door. I removed the platter and brought it to the bed, sat with my back pressed against the pillows, and took a large bite. Balthazar approached me slowly, perching on the end of the bed.

  “I have my concerns,” Balthazar began as he watched me eat. I swallowed my bite and watched him carefully.

  “What does that mean?” I asked cautiously.

  “You have a backup plan for your group to find you, yes, but what if you are stripped of everything?”

  It was a situation we discussed, but the results outweighed the risks. Jason would always be near, and we set up a system for him to alert the others if I needed to be extracted. Kayana’s magic was infused in both the “stifling” metal band on my arm, and the onyx ring, which did the opposite.

  The food in my stomach turned sour, and I set my burger down. My gut twisted as I realized I didn’t like where the conversation was heading.

  “We have multiple plans to pull me out if needed, and they are confident they’ll be able to find me. If, for some reason they can’t locate me, I will fight my way out.”

  “And what if you are drugged?”

  “I will rely on the others,” I said, no doubt in my mind that Indigo would come for me.

  “Yes, that is the part I have a problem with,” Balthazar revealed, steepling his hands together and dropping them between his knees.

  I didn’t lift my eyes from his long, elegant fingers. Unease lingered through me. “I’ll deal with it as it comes. I’m not completely useless,” I snapped.

  “I am well aware of that, but you are still my deehire, e
ven if you refuse to acknowledge it. Your safety remains my top priority. If you wish to live out this fantasy, then so be it. But we will be smart about it. There is one way we can ensure that I will know you are safe.”

  Glad that I’d already set down the burger, my gaze darted to his eyes. The determination I saw there made my stomach lurch forward as I realized what he was suggesting.

  “No.” I shook my head in denial.

  “Yes. Otherwise, I forbid you to go through with this. I will not go along with the plan, and I’ll do whatever I deem necessary to keep you away from the situation.”

  Anger bubbled under my skin, fueled by desperation. “I’m not letting you drink from me.”

  Balthazar gave a sympathetic smile that felt fake and greasy to me.

  “I’ll only need a drop.”

  Just one drop, and he would be able to find me whenever and wherever, which was the problem. Although the act of sacrificing a drop to him would only take a few seconds, it also meant he would have more power over me than I wanted. It felt wrong. But the strong set of his jaw and the conviction in his tone demonstrated he wouldn’t drop it.

  “How long will it stay in your system?”

  “A month, tops.”

  A month? Longer than I thought. There were too many possibilities, too many dangers to accept, but what other option did I have? Saying no would ruin our chances of finding these guys.

  “I agree, with the stipulation that you don’t drink from my vein.”

  “A simple prick from your finger will suffice.”

  I took another cleansing breath, let it out slowly, and held out my hand. “One drop, no more,” I warned as his hungry gaze latched onto my finger.

  A smile tugged on his lips as he replied, “I promise, my deehire. I can control myself even with a temptation such as you.”

  My heart jumped to my throat as he got onto his knees and brought my finger to his lips. I knew there was nothing I should fear, but it still swirled inside of me. I dared not examine the type of fear it was.