Page 143 of Hunted

‘It’s called Bride’s Mercy.’

A laugh bursts out of me. ‘Bride’s Mercy?’

‘Mock if you wish.’

‘Sorry, I wasn’t prepared for you to name my mystery gift like a gothic candle scent.’

‘Eira.’

The way she says my name is warning wrapped in brambles.

I lean back against the counter and force my brain into the shape of caution. ‘What does it do?’

‘You wouldn’t understand if I drew you several diagrams. Just take it before he bites you. Not after. Defeats the purpose that way.’

My pulse jumps. ‘He’s not biting me.’

Selphine scoffs. ‘He’s a powerful vampire and you’re a shiny new penny living in his Tower. Tell me he hasn’t touched a hair on your head and the next package I send will be soap to wash the lies out of your mouth.’

Heat crashes into my face.

Touched a hair on my head does not begin to cover where Valentin Moretti’s hands and mouth have been, and divulging any of that to Selphine would be like describing your first orgasm to a crotchety grandmother with occult knives.

Not. Happening.

‘Your mistake,’ Selphine continues, ‘is believing you can keep stroking that beast like a cat and not get mauled. This way you may get mauled and still save yourself.’

I go very still. ‘How much is this going to cost me?’

We both know I don’t mean just money. It can cost me in danger. Identity. Cost me emotionally, because I’m beginning to feel things I shouldn’t for a vampire who can’t even look in a normal mirror and is apparently on a countdown to death.

‘Money?’ she says, almost amused. ‘Hardly. The cost comes later. If it comes at all.’

‘That is not comforting. What am I missing?’

‘I sent it to prevent your blood from naming you. The rest is out of my hands.’

My stomach drops. ‘Prevent my blood from—’ My mind races. ‘Did you know?’

‘Ask complete questions, Eira.’

‘Did you know he thinks Lyra is his fated mate?’ The laugh I tag on burns my throat. ‘Gods, is that even possible?’

The silence isn’t normal Selphine silent. It’s pretending to be patient but it’s alert. Hungry.

‘He said that?’ Selphine murmurs. ‘To your face?’

I close my eyes. Dammit. ‘It’s complicated,’ I say fast.

‘Tell me everything,’ Selphine says, and there it is, the extra edge under the sourness.

‘No.’ The swift answer surprises even me. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything.’

‘You’re making promises to vampires now?’

‘I made a promise to him,’ I snap, then regret the emphasis instantly. ‘As his bounty hunter. Confidentiality, remember?’

‘How touching.’