Page 19 of Let Sleeping Vampires Lie

Marcus didn’t blink. “No.”

“Or handled any objects with enchantments, sigils, or active magic?”

Marcus smiled again, but this time the expression didn’t reach his eyes. “Magic isn’t in my field, Constantine.”

Every answer was polished.

Every sentence aimed to sound harmless.

Yet a subtle tension kept pulling at the edges of his voice, like a man walking a tightrope, aware he couldn’t afford one misstep.

Raven shifted beside me. I felt her unease through our bond.

Marcus sensed it too. He looked at her now, worry gracing his features.

“Raven,” he said softly, “I don’t know what Dimitri told you, but I’m not involved in anything dangerous. I’m not tied to criminals. I’m not hiding anything from Isra. I swear it.”

He held her gaze, steady and sincere.

But something in the air felt wrong.

Con knew it.

I knew it.

Raven felt it through the bond.

Marcus had all the correct answers.

Every one sounded believable.

But the truth was hiding somewhere behind his eyes, tucked neatly between his practiced words and perfect composure.

Something wasn’t lining up.

And we were growing closer to the part he didn’t want to say.

The room grew heavier, as if every breath waited for the next lie or the next truth. Marcus stood in controlled stillness, his expression calm but a touch too cautious. Isra watched him with wide, aching eyes.

Then Jana shifted on the couch.

She sat straighter, hands folded in her lap, gaze fixed on her father. Something weighed on her, something she had kept quiet until now.

“Dad,” she said.

Her voice cut through the quiet.

We all turned toward her.

“I don’t mention much about my new abilities,” she continued slowly. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you or Mom. But there’s something you should know.”

Isra blinked, confusion momentarily replacing worry. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Jana swallowed, gathering the courage to say it. “It’s very hard for a human to lie to a werewolf.”

The room stilled.

Isra’s back straightened. Raven’s hand tensed on Jana’s shoulder. Even Marcus’ eyes flickered.