4 / Terreille

As Cassandra opened the cupboard where she kept the wineglasses, she felt the dark male presence at the kitchen door, that unmistakable scent of the Black. Without turning, she reached for a wineglass and said, “I didn’t expect you until later.”

“I’m surprised you expected me at all.”

She missed the glass. Only one male’s psychic scent could be mistaken for Saetan’s. Buying time while she vanished the Red Jewel and called in her Black, she took two glasses from the cupboard and set them on the counter before turning around.

He leaned against the door frame, his hands in his trouser pockets.

Ah, Saetan, look what you’ve sired. Cassandra’s heart beat in an odd little rhythm as she admired his body and the almost too beautiful face. If there had been the merest hint of seduction in the air, her ancient pulse would have been racing. But there was only a bone-chilling cold and a look in his eyes that she couldn’t meet.

Think, woman, think. She was a Guardian, one of the living dead, but he didn’t know that. If he damaged her body, she could instantly make the transition to demon and keep fighting. She doubted he had the knowledge or skill to destroy her completely. Black against Black. She could hold her own against him.

She glanced at his eyes and knew, with shocking certainty, that it wasn’t true. He had come for the kill, and he knew exactly who and what she was.

“You disappoint me, Cassandra. Your legends paint you differently,” Daemon said softly, his voice thick with malevolence.

“I’m a Priestess serving at this Altar,” she said, working to keep her voice steady. “You’re mistaken if you think—”

He laughed softly. She stepped back from the sound and found herself pressed against the counter.

“Do you think I can’t tell the difference between a Priestess and a Queen? And the Jewels, my dear, name you for what you are.”

She bent her head slightly in acknowledgment. “So I’m Cassandra. What do you want, Prince?”

He eased away from the door and stepped toward her. “More to the point, Lady”—he put a nasty edge on the word—“what do you want?”

“I don’t understand.” Training demanded she stand her ground. Instinct screamed at her to run.

He kept moving toward her, smiling as she edged around the table to keep it between them. It was a seducer’s smile, soft and almost gentle, except it was carved from ice. “Who are you waiting for?” He withdrew his hands from his pockets.

Cassandra glanced at his hands. The momentary relief of not seeing a ring on his right hand was stripped away by the realization of how long he wore his nails. Mother Night, he was his father’s son! She kept easing around the table. If she could get to the door…

Daemon changed directions, blocking her escape. “Who?”

“A friend.”

He shook his head in mocking sadness.

Cassandra stopped moving. “Would you like some wine?” He was dangerous, dangerous, dangerous.