“The Lady Anna is on her way.” Bruce still held Hiro’s lapels. His own hair was standing up, the

dark curls writhing against each other almost like the female vampire’s had, and I felt sick all over

again. “When she gets here it will force a decision. I don’t want to arrest you, Reynard. You’d best

leave.”

“And leave moja księżniczko here to your tender mercies? When she’s already suffered this? The

flower of the Order here, sworn to defend her, and a Broken werwulf has to do the job.” Christophe

shook his sleek dark head. “I am sorely disappointed.”

Kir turned a deeper shade of crimson, almost matching his hair. Bruce gave Hiro a meaningful,

gauging look and released him. Hiro brushed the lapels of his gray suit, his long beautiful fingers

moving with spiderlike precision.

Leon finally moved. He slid behind Christophe, stepped in front of me. “You should drink more of

that. You used your aspect, right? It’s getting stronger?”

I nodded. “The . . . there were three of them, and Ash . . .”

“Thank God they didn’t catch you in that cell. Even so close to blooming, you’d have been killed.”

He pitched the words loud enough to make it clear he was trying to smooth the ruffled waters, or

something. Nice of him.

I searched for words. “Ash went nuts. I . . . I let him out. He led me this way.”

“Away from the fighting.” An approving nod. Fine lank hair fell in Leon’s eyes. He looked just the

same as he did every morning, and I was glad about that. If I just focused on him I could shut out all

the rest of it. “More of them broke into your room, Milady. Tore it apart looking for you. These

three were probably seeking to euthanize the Broken.”

“Euthanize? Since when do you engage in euphemisms, Leontus? You mean murder.” Christophe

hadn’t relaxed at all. I got the idea none of them dared to get any closer to him. “I trust I have

shamed you all sufficiently for you to remember your duty?”

Leon actually snorted. “I was where I was supposed to be, Reynard. Save your ire for whoever betrayed the exact location of this girl’s room to a cadre of nosferatu killers.”

This girl. Like I wasn’t even here. I mean, that would have suited me just fine, not being here. I shut

my eyes and leaned my aching head back.

I felt her arrival like a storm front. Warm perfume clashed with the rot of vampires and a stray draft

of Christophe’s apple-pie scent. The mix made me feel light-headed. It was like gas fumes just waiting for a spark.

Leon steadied me. He didn’t grind his fingers into old or new bruises, and I was grateful for that.

“She’s passing out,” he remarked calmly.