Sealed With a Curse(31)

The air carried a thick layer of dread interwoven with Misha’s rising anger. Ten vampires convened at the enormous dining room table. We perched at the end. Misha sat to my left, and although five empty seats remained, Hank and Tim, from court, stood behind him.

Misha leaned back on a chair that resembled a throne. He slowly motioned around the room. “With the exception of my men at the gates, these vampires represent the last of my family. I have until tomorrow night to decide our fate.”

I placed my hand over the smooth stone table. “Misha. How certain are you that Zhahara is the one behind the bloodlust?”

A faint sparkle of hate flickered in Misha’s hard gray eyes. “After I killed the fifth of my keep, I sent three of my best spies to investigate Zhahara’s compound. I destroyed two of them days later. The third went absent and I have been informed he drained seven women tonight.” He stared at me for several seconds. “My time is up, my darling Celia. I must account for these murders or prove them to be the work of another master.”

Shayna glanced back at me before addressing Misha. “I don’t mean to ask a stupid question, but…have you spoken with Zhahara directly about it?”

Misha’s eyes never left mine. “Zhahara has not been heard from since our time in court. Yet my remaining spies insist she returned to her compound and has not emerged. My plan is to storm her home tomorrow and find the evidence I need to exonerate me.”

Taran crossed her arms. “What if it’s not her?”

Misha leaned back. He likely wasn’t accustomed to anyone challenging him. His lush mouth tightened into a firm line before curving into a small smile. “Zhahara remains my only lead to saving my family. I have no choice but to act.”

Taran said nothing more, but I knew she saw his point. Otherwise she would have argued until Misha died or she needed to wear Depends.

“Have you reached your decision?”

I didn’t acknowledge my sisters when I answered. “I think I have. I’ll give you my decision by morning.”

Misha nodded slowly, but said nothing more. No witty comment, no flirtatious demeanor. Nothing. Just a vampire desperate enough to seek help from strangers.

I stood. So did Emme and Taran. Shayna pointed to the two antique swords mounted over the mantel of the dining room fireplace. “Can I borrow those, dude?”

A vamp scrambled to retrieve them following a small gesture from Misha. Shayna grinned upon feeling the weight of the ancient swords in her hands. “Cool.”

“I fear they are not as sharp as they once were,” Misha said slowly.

Shayna’s blue eyes sparkled. “Don’t worry. I’ll make them work.”

We headed into the foyer when an oh-too-familiar voice boomed from behind the thick doors.

“I’m not asking for an audience,” Aric growled. “I’m telling you, he will see me!”

The wide wooden doors crashed open, and my big, badass wolf stormed through, flanked by the wolves from the club, a few unfamiliar weres, and oh, yeah, the blond she-wolf with the Victoria Beckham bob. I don’t know who was more shocked, them or us.

Oh, crap.

“Son of a bitch,” Taran muttered when she noticed Gemini.

I’d forgotten about Blondie, but she remembered me. Her eyes glared almost as fiercely as Aric’s when she saw me.

Almost.

Aric stalked toward me. “What are you doing here?” He didn’t wait for me to answer and fixed his scowl on Misha. “What is she doing here?”

For the first time since our arrival, Misha actually smiled. Although I wished I could say it lacked any malice. He snaked his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “Celia is a friend. She is considering helping me in my quest to prove my innocence.”

I’d never seen a wolf implode. But I almost did then.

Aric grabbed my arm and yanked me from Misha’s grasp.

And that’s when all hell broke loose….





CHAPTER 10


Everything happened at once. Emme screamed as werebeasts and vampires collided like a herd of angry buffalo. Growls and hisses erupted in a furious staccato, rattling the windows, framed paintings, and crystal chandelier. The she-wolf’s fist jetted toward my face. I ducked. She would have nailed Aric in the chest had Misha not tackled him through the wall and into the library. I shot after them, but the she-wolf seized my waist and launched me across the foyer. The bones of my back cracked when I bounced off the opposite wall. My ears rang, but not loudly enough to muffle a high-pitched squeal, the crunching of plaster, and the demolition of furniture.

I landed hard on my knees, more pissed than hurt, ready to rumble. I pushed off the floor and stomped toward the she-bitch, momentarily stunned by her appearance.