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“I have no intention of going to Rome,” Shara said, keeping her manner casual and relaxed.
Kostas’ jaw tightened. “Rome hasn’t been a safe place to visit in many centuries.”
Her head tipped slightly, her mind flickering like a night sky lit with millions of fireflies. Ideas. Strategies. Plans. Bursting and fading away in a millisecond as my queen’s brilliant mind worked. “Perhaps you didn’t hear the news.”
Kostas’ eyes narrowed, but he inclined his head and shoulders in a short bow. “Very little happens in Paris that I don’t hear about, Your Majesty. For example, I’m aware that House Valois had an unfortunate incident just a few hours ago, which restructured centuries of bloodlines across the globe.”
“Which is why my mother enjoyed bringing her Blood here for your exquisite tailoring,” Shara replied just as softly.
“I may not be able to recall her name, but your mother had a unique knack for finding—and using—people who traded in information. Are you here to continue the same tradition, Your Majesty? Or did you simply want my other very talented services as well?”
“We truly came only for the clothes,” she admitted. “There’s much I never knew about my mother.”
“She was very good at keeping secrets.”
:Understatement of the millennia,: Lew growled.
“Every trade comes at a price, Your Majesty. Did you have a specific question for me?”
“I may have something to give to you now in exchange for information later. You mentioned Rome earlier.” She paused, waiting for the man to nod. “Did you also hear that House Ceresa had an unfortunate accident today as well?”
Kostas stiffened, his entire body quivering as if on the edge of extreme, volatile emotion. Though his face remained closed and guarded. “What? How?”
“Credible testimony was given to detail her crimes before the Mother and all Her Daughters.”
His neck corded, his hands fisted at his sides. “You?”
Ever so casually, Lew extended his talons, ready to slice the man to ribbons if he even thought about taking another step toward our queen. Guillaume filled his palm with a blade.
“Unfortunately, no, though I fully intended to exact retribution for House Morrigan. Another queen put forward an equally compelling claim against House Ceresa. Since I already have cleanup to do in Paris, she can decide how to handle the fallout in Rome.”
He took a step closer. “Who?”
All of us vibrated with menace. I started to bulge, allowing more of my clothes to tear. Lew lifted his hands, displaying his razor-sharp talons. Silent and invisible, Xin slipped closer to the man, putting his wolf between our queen and the threat. Guillaume, Sekh, and Mehen provided pressure from the rear and flanks, making sure the man had nowhere to retreat or flee.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty.” Kostas dropped into a deep bow, keeping his head inclined. “I fear your Blood have interpreted my intensity as a threat. Let me state clearly if Marne Ceresa is indeed dead, then I owe a debt of gratitude to whoever eliminated the queen of Rome.”
“I can confirm that she’s dead.”
Still bowed low, Kostas’s shoulders quivered. “If you can provide the name of the queen who successfully killed her, then anything your Blood wish to commission from me will be completely free of charge. I’ll even create an entire wardrobe for each of them. Gladly.”
Shara paused, debating how much to tell the man.
He rose up slightly, just enough to look at her. “Please. I beg you. I must know.”
“I don’t know you, Mr. Mythos, and I don’t personally know the queen, either. I would not wish to give her name up to someone who’s not trustworthy.”
“Money is no object—”
“For me either,” she cut in coolly. “I would much rather pay for my Bloods’ commissions than risk betraying someone who did this world a favor.”
“I could refuse my services outright unless you tell me.”
“Very well.” She rose and tucked her arm through mine. “Good day, Mr. Mythos.”
“Wait. Please. Your Majesty, I must know.” His voice cracked with emotion, making her turn back to look at him. “I’ve dedicated my life to gathering intel against Marne Ceresa in hope to bring her down for her crimes. Your mother would speak favorably of my character if she were still alive. She knew my cause. The Mother’s blood runs very thinly in me now but on that last drop, I swear to protect House Isador’s interests, both now and in the future, as long as it doesn’t conflict with my queen’s.”
“Who’s your queen, Mr. Mythos?”
