Shadow's Claim

"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?"

Taking a deep breath, she said, "I was tipsy. I thought he was Cas." Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. "I was . . . receptive."

Cas drew his shoulders back. "You couldn't tell that it was another?" he demanded, clearly affronted.

"The room was dark! And we weren't doing much . . . talking. But no permanent damage has been done. I'm still a virgin. Just perhaps a jot more educated."

Cas reached forward, lifting her gold collar. "At least he didn't bite you."

Chapter 8

She recalled how hard Daciano had fought not to. I will never hurt you. . . . "He stopped himself when he saw I was upset."

"A very lucky break for us. To be bitten by a vampire is . . . altering." He glanced away briefly before facing her once more. "I'll find a way to protect you from him. Somehow. He might be ancient and skilled with a sword, but I'll figure out a way. When he returns, I'll make my move."

She didn't share Cas's optimism. That chilling lethality . . . "Wait, you said ancient?"

"At least nine centuries."

How very . . . old. She didn't know how she felt about that. But for Caspion, this was disastrous. Age brought strength to immortals. "He said he has no plans to return for me, but he definitely will for you, Cas. Do you really think you can defeat a professional killer? A long-lived Dacian? You certainly hadn't earlier-you were convinced that he'd end you."