I was grateful for every layer of metal armor I wore now as Netherpool studied my chest with lazy avarice and the rest of the crowd cleared hastily around our trio.

“Sebastian,” said the Countess with magnificent disdain. “I must admit, I am impressed. I never thought you’d find the courage to attend tonight, despite all of your posturing.”

“Ah, Carmilla.” His gaze remained fixed on my armored chest as his lips curved into a smirk. “Always ready to play the high-minded moralist—but I see you’ve started bringing your own little toys along to our professional gatherings?”

Metal shivered in deadly anticipation as my spine stiffened, but the Countess only smiled pityingly at him. “Oh, Sebastian. I’m not so insecure that I would need a younger partner to bolster my self-worth—and you’ll soon find that Miss Brandt is no mere plaything.”

“Oh, no?” He raised his eyebrows skeptically. “Then—”

Leander spoke behind me. “She’s my ally.” He wasn’t foolish enough to lay a hand on me, but he stepped into place on my free side until I was bracketed between him and the Countess, and he gave his old guardian the coldest look I’d ever seen. “You’ll treat her with respect if you value your own safety.”

Netherpool was only a few inches taller than Leander, but his powerful frame made him look like a bear hulking threateningly over Leander’s slim figure…and for just a moment, I could see only too clearly what it might have been like between them years ago.

Nausea twisted in my stomach. It wasn’t pity—certainly not for the adult Leander. Anyone with eyes in their head would know which of them was stronger now in every way that mattered. But I had never cared for bullies…especially not when they tried to menace my first-ever ally.

Even Netherpool’s growl was bearish. “You think you can protect her from me, boy? Just because you’ve gotten your way with the Council through trickery, do you really think I can’t still take anything and anyone away from you?”

“Oh, I don’t think I need to protect her from you at all,” said Leander. “You and I are already due to fight a duel of our own tonight, if I recall your earlier threats and curses correctly. However…” He gave me a sidelong glance, his lips lifting into a small, private smile. “There is a good deal more to my ally than you might expect.”

“Rubbish!” Netherpool scowled. “She’s not even a necromancer. Just look at the outlandish way she’s dressed! What good could she—?”