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“Blood witch,” he says. “Here for talking, not drinking.” He looks at Julian. “Are you looking for a new family, boy?”

“She’s just a friend.”

Miriam says nothing.

Marcus moves too fast for her to scream. His hand closes around her throat, and he lifts her off the floor like she weighs nothing. Her fingers claw at his wrist. Her eyes turn red as she tries to call up her power, but one witch against Marcus is nothing. His blood has centuries in it.

“You are not a witch,” Marcus says to Julian. “You are a vampire. Start acting like one.”

He extends Miriam toward him, still holding her by the throat like a doll.

“Drink.”

Julian stands frozen. Every sire-made vampire obeys the master who turned him, especially in the beginning. The bond is supposed to be absolute. A command like that should move him before thought can interfere.

But Julian doesn’t move. Every muscle in my body tightens. I feel him fighting his fangs, feel Marcus’ stare digging through me. But he cannot be controlled.

Rage flashes through the vampire king.

He snaps Miriam’s neck and drops her body to the floor.

He couldn’t leave a witness to this disobedience.

“Do you think your nobility changes anything?” Marcus asks. “We are predators. We decide the fate of this city. You are not human anymore, and we do not exist to protect them. We exist to kill them. Your weakness will only make things worse.”

He circles the room while Julian stares at Miriam’s body.

“You think I don’t know what you’re doing? Planning behind my back. A pact of control. Vampires, witches, werewolves. Without me.” Marcus stops in front of him. “With your wolf friend.”

Julian’s jaw tightens.

“Never trust a dog,” Marcus says. “They are loyal only to themselves. His father would kill every one of us if he could. I know what they do in the South. Lynching. Ethnic cleansing. Murdering everything supernatural that doesn’t kneel to them. You think Nero is your friend, but when the time comes, he will be loyal to his pack. To his alpha.”

“As I am supposed to be loyal to you,” Julian says.

Marcus slaps him.

Silence.

“You think because I invested so much in you, you’re safe?” Marcus asks softly. “I can kill you anytime. Maybe your blood is special, but I have five hundred years on you, you little shit. Remember that without me, you are nothing. Just a walking target. So next time you think of making alliances, think better.”

He leaves Julian alone with the dead witch on the floor.

The memory fades.

I’m still in the cold car with Marcus watching me.

“You think I had something to do with Julian’s death?” His voice is cold as ice.

I know it wasn’t him. If Marcus wanted him dead, he would have killed him on the spot.

“Did you protect him enough?” I cannot hold myself back.

Marcus goes very still.

“Watch your words, stardust girl. I tolerate you to an extent. I know who you are, but don’t think you are untouchable.” His gaze sharpens. “If you start meddling in other people’s affairs, even your family won’t be able to save you.”

He sighs. One of his few human reflexes.