Silver-Tongued Devil (25 page)

She hesitated. “I don’t know—”

“Listen, forget the lie for a moment. She doesn’t deserve what Michael’s planning. If you love her, you’ll help her. She doesn’t have anyone else right now.”

Georgia’s face fell. She didn’t speak, but I got the feeling I was wearing her down. “How about we make a deal? You promise to go with me to talk to Michael, and I’ll promise I’ll try with Adam.”

Her eyebrow went up. “When?”

“Tomorrow night. You and I can go see Michael just after sundown. That should give him enough time to calm down.”

“And Adam?” she asked.

I sighed and sat back in the chair. “I don’t know.”

“He has to come back here at some point.” Giguhl shrugged.

“I guess.” I honestly wasn’t sure what I’d say if he walked back through that door in a couple of hours. But Georgia was right. I couldn’t let everything we had together dissolve because I made a dumb mistake. We were supposed to be stronger than that.

“What if they won’t listen?” Pussy Willow asked. “What will you both do then?”

The promise of a challenge made Georgia’s vampire instincts flare to life. A small smile lifted her lips, flashing a little fang. “We’ll make them listen.”

Adam didn’t come home that night.

I lay alone in our bed staring at the ceiling well past sunrise. I guess I was naive to hope he’d return to the scene of the crime so soon.

Probably, he’d crashed at Rhea’s. The idea of my mentor finding out what I’d done made my already tight stomach knot painfully. Even if I could somehow manage to make things right with Adam, Rhea wouldn’t be so easily won over. She was protective of her blood. The fact that we’d grown so close over the last several months wouldn’t matter more than her connection with Adam.

I sighed and turned over. The movement ruffled the sheets and stirred up Adam’s sandalwood scent. I grabbed his pillow and hugged it to me. Closing my eyes, I let the tears fall. I’d put on a brave front for everyone earlier. But the truth was, I didn’t know how to fix this.

Since the first time I met Adam, I knew our relationship would end badly. With me involved, how could it go any other way? I’d fought being with him for so long because I knew I’d never be good enough for him. And if I were being honest with myself, maybe on some level I held this secret close to my vest, knowing that it would come back eventually. Maybe in some sick way it was my way of controlling how the end happened.

But even though I’d been expecting this all along, it still hurt like hellfire.

However, I’d always believed pain was my friend. In a fight, it told me I was still alive. And in love, it told me I still cared. Which meant I’d swallow my pride and beg him to forgive me, if that’s what it took.

My fatalism about love might have turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy, but I’d never put too much stock in prophecies anyway.

23

T
he next evening, I decided to hit the gym for a workout. I hadn’t slept at all, but my body strained for action. My pent-up emotions and worries needed a release.

The headphones on my ears blocked out the world and filled my head with angry music. All my energy was focused on knocking the stuffing out of the punching bag. My skin dripped sweat and my muscles screamed from exertion. It felt good to be back in the zone.

I was so focused on my punishing workout that I didn’t notice the person coming up behind me. Not until a hand landed on my shoulder. On autopilot, I spun and swung my fist into a jaw.

“Oof!” My target fell to the hardwood with a crash.

Panting, I looked down and cursed. “Shit. Orpheus, I’m so sorry!”

I threw off my headphones and bent down to help him off the ground. His eyes were unfocused and he was so disoriented he didn’t fight my assistance. When I finally had him upright again, he wobbled. His hand flew to his jaw and he worked it back and forth with a grimace. “That’ll teach me to sneak up on a former assassin.”

“Sorry.” I grimaced. “You caught me off guard.”

He waved a hand. “My fault. I should have made more noise.”

I wiped the back of my arm across my forehead, suddenly self-conscious. “Did you need something?”

He shook his head, as if clearing out cobwebs. I bit my lip, as guilt warred with amusement. Over the last few months, I’d wanted to clean Orpheus’s clock more than once after he’d done some asshole thing. But the truth was I never would have landed that punch if he’d seen it coming.

“It’s about Maisie,” he said. “Rhea came to me last night and told me about your talk.”

I schooled my features at his mention of my mentor because it reminded me of my problems with Adam. Did Rhea know what happened? Did she tell Orpheus? But obviously, the leader of the mage race had more important issues to worry about than my relationship troubles.

“I wish you had come to us sooner,” he continued. “But I suppose I understand how your desire to be loyal to Maisie made you hesitate.”

I nodded. “Thanks for understanding. What did you two decide?”

“We agreed that immediate action must be taken. Obviously, refusing to sleep is dangerous to Maisie’s health.”

I raised a brow. “Yes, her health.”

He paused and shot me a sharp look. “Save your judgment, Sabina. Yes, I am also concerned about what this development means for the treaty signing. But as much as you’d like to believe I am just a cold politician, I’ve known that girl longer than you. Hell, I practically raised her alongside Ameritat. Seeing her in pain hurts me as much as, if not more than, it hurts you.”

I sighed and softened my expression. “I know. I just wish we didn’t have this treaty deadline looming. She needs time to heal.”

“If wishes solved problems, the world would be a very different place.”

“I hear that,” I said. “So what’s the next step?”

“I’ve given Rhea leave to move forward with the plan to trick Maisie into doing the incubation.”

“Really?” My eyebrows rose. “I figured you’d be against it.”

He grimaced. “Let’s just say Rhea can be quite persuasive when she wants to be.” He rubbed his head as if comforting an old wound. “She convinced me that this is the only way to help Maisie.”

“So where do I come in?” I asked. I figured I was the last person Rhea would want help from now.

“You’re going to assist in the ritual.” He frowned as if I’d asked a trick question. “Rhea said she’d already discussed it with you.”

My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. “Of course. Sorry.” I was shocked Rhea would allow me to help. That meant she was either desperate for help… or she didn’t know about Adam and me.

He frowned. “Is that a problem?”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

“Good. Rhea is going to invite Maisie to go to the Crossroads this evening under the guise of getting away from the city for a couple of days. It’ll give Rhea a chance to do the necessary cleansing rituals without tipping Maisie off to their real purpose. Plus, being close to the ley line in the Sacred Grove for twenty-four hours will help prepare Maisie for the incubation. Tomorrow night, you’ll go out there for dinner. Rhea will slip a sedative into Maisie’s food and then you will proceed with the ritual.”

He noticed my grimace at his mention of the sedative.

“Don’t get squeamish on us now, Sabina,” he said, his tone rueful. “You’ve committed far more heinous crimes for far less noble causes. Don’t let your conscience get in the way of what needs to be done. Not when so much is at stake. This may be our last chance to get Maisie back.”

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I didn’t like the idea of tricking Maisie, but Orpheus was right. I’d murdered people for looking at me the wrong way. This betrayal, at least, might have a positive outcome. And gods knew, where Maisie was concerned, we needed some good news.

“I’ll be there.”

“Good. Thank you.”

I hesitated, wondering if now was a good time to bring up the other issue I wanted to speak to him about. It’d been so long since Orpheus and I had a positive conversation, I hated to ruin it. On the other hand, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to find out if Alexis was really taking over control of the BLD.

“Listen, have you and the Despina made a decision about Slade’s position yet?”

He took a deep breath. “Sabina, I know Slade’s your friend—”

“No, that’s not why I’m asking. I mean, sure, I think Slade got the shaft—” He raised a warning eyebrow. “Sorry but it’s the truth. Anyway, I ask because Alexis seemed pretty sure she’d be taking over that role.”

Orpheus crossed his arms. “No final decisions have been made,” he said, evading the question. “Should I take it you doubt Alexis’s suitability?”

“Look, it’s not that I think she’s unskilled. She’s clearly well trained and strong. But does she have the judgment and patience a leader needs for such a politically sensitive role?” I shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. Not after she killed Tiny.”

Orpheus stiffened, as if preparing to argue, but I cut off his objections.

“Relax. I’m not going to argue that Tiny wasn’t the killer. There haven’t been any more killings, so it appears my objections might have been… reactionary.” His eyebrows rose, his expression heavy with irony. But I’d be staked before I admitted to being wrong. “Anyway, my concerns about Alexis have more to do with her impulsivity and lack of knowledge about the workings of New York vampire culture. Is that really who you want in such a strategically critical and politically sensitive position?”

Instead of arguing with me or telling me I was overreacting, like he normally did, Orpheus put a hand on my arm and shot me a smile. “I appreciate you sharing your concerns. But let me ask you this: If you don’t approve of Alexis, whom would you suggest?”

I raised my chin. “Slade.”

“Sabina—”

I held up a hand. “No, hear me out. If we all agree that Tiny was the culprit, then we also have to admit that Slade was set up. Punishing him for Tiny’s manipulations is unfair.”

“Sabina, I understand what you’re saying. I’ve worked with The Shade for years and have always found him capable. But like it or not, his ability to lead effectively was compromised by Tiny’s scheme. We need a strong, competent leader to guide the city’s vampires into the new era.” He smiled to soften the unfairness of the situation. “And I’m afraid Slade Corbin isn’t the man for that job.”

“But you think Alexis is?”

“I didn’t say that.” Orpheus’s expression became shuttered. “Look, the Despina went home to Los Angeles for a few days to handle some pressing business. No decision will be made until she returns in time for the Imbolc festival. In the meantime, I’m afraid you’re going to just have to trust me on this.”

Trust? How could I trust him when he’d proven himself so easily swayed in the past? But what choice did I have? Throwing a fit and starting a fight would only make his mind more closed to other possibilities. Plus, like his decisions or not, Orpheus always tried to do what was in the best interest for the entire race. I might not always like the results, but I couldn’t fault his intentions. So instead of arguing with him, I sighed. “Okay, since you trusted Rhea and me to take care of Maisie, I’ll trust you to not fuck up in choosing a good leader.”

His lip twitched. “Thanks so much for that vote of confidence.”

After my discussion with Orpheus, I returned to the apartment for a quick shower before Georgia and I headed out to find Michael. She sat on the couch, dressed and ready to go when I walked in.

“There you are,” she said, sounding nervous. “I was worried you’d bailed.”

“Just grabbed a quick workout. I need to change and then we can go,” I said. “Where are Giguhl and Pussy Willow?”

“They had to go audition some new girls for the Roller Derby team. They have another bout in a couple of nights.”

I frowned. “Why do they need new girls?”

Georgia looked uncomfortable. “If our talk with Michael doesn’t go well, they’ll be down two players.”

I nodded but didn’t comment. I didn’t want to entertain the possibility of the talk not having a positive outcome. “I’ll be right back.”

When I reached my room, I noticed right away something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew Adam had been there. I stepped back into the hall. “Hey, Georgia?”

“Yeah?”

“Was Adam here?”

A beat. “Yes. He came to get some clothes while you were gone. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it but I didn’t want to upset you.”

It was a good thing she couldn’t see me from the living room because her news made me slump against the wall in defeat. Had Adam been watching the apartment, hoping I’d leave so he could sneak in? Was he really that determined not to be near me?

“Sabina?” Georgia called, waiting for an answer.

Forcing a casual tone, I called back, “Did he say where he’s staying?”

“No,” she admitted. “He didn’t say much at all, actually.”

“Okay, thanks.”

I escaped into my room and headed to the bathroom. Next to the sink, a glaring blank spot where Adam’s toothbrush normally sat flashed like neon. It was such a small thing, the absence, but it felt huge.

I forced myself to turn away before I took an inventory of everything else he’d taken. Soon, the shower’s hot spray eased my tense muscles. The soap scrubbed off the stink and sweat, like a baptism. Too bad it couldn’t wash away the regret.

24

G
eorgia and I walked into Vein an hour later. I’d made a few calls after my shower and tracked Michael down to the club. Apparently, he had a weekly meeting with The Shade to report on pack business. With the Despina back in Los Angeles and the new leader not being announced for a few days, Slade was still unofficially in charge of the Black Light District.

I didn’t have mixed feelings about seeing Slade. No, I felt very strongly that he was the last person I wanted to see. But I’d promised Georgia we’d talk to Michael, so I didn’t have a choice.

When we arrived, Michael and Slade stood at the bar, talking over a couple of beers. Across the bar, I spotted Giguhl and Pussy Willow near the stage. Judging from their stiff postures and jerky movements, they were arguing about something and didn’t notice our arrival. Seeing my minion helped me relax a fraction. If this conversation didn’t go well, it was nice to know he’d have my back.