“Who does Blazh have working for him?”
“Halycon.”
“Morel?” I whisper, stunned at the thought of the demure fourth cousin.
“She developed a taste for power far beyond the realm of what’s naturally possible.”
“Black magic.” I shudder at the thought of the sweet brunette with doe eyes, an upturned nose, and freckles for days. A part of me could understand the temptation. Soft-spoken and socially awkward, she’d been overlooked in lieu of her brash cousins. Still, she’d been powerful in her own right.
“I must warn you, she’s not the girl you remember.”
“No, she couldn’t be if what you say is true.” Black magic takes its toll on a user. Nature always finds a balance. What you send out comes back tri-fold. The darker the magic, the greater the rending of your soul, and warping of your spirit. Black magic is a deceiving term. Magic is neutral. It’s the intention of the user that adds the hue.
“How long has she been working with the Lord of New Orleans?” Blazh has held onto his position, ruling with an iron fist, and zero tolerance for failure. The lanky, olive-skinned man with flecks of silver woven into his thick black hair always set me on edge. He possesses a ruthless edge that shines in the depths of his dark gaze. His aristocratic features and honeyed tongue trapped unknowing victims in his web, where they waited until he devoured them whole.
An undetermined age, he’s remains a powerful wild card. Drawing his attention isn’t a good thing. He’ll seek to eliminate a threat before it can become a problem.
“Is this a normal thing?”
“Usually, yes, but not with his timing to your arrival. I believe he fears the growth happening in my Court.”
“How many of you are there outside of our inner circle?” I ask.
“All over the country, nearly three-hundred.”
My jaw drops.
“There’s strength in numbers.”
I nod numbly. He’s sitting on an army. “Do people know that?”
“No. It’d be like painting a target on my back. It’s why I keep them scattered. It allows me to have eyes in numerous places, and keeps our numbers hidden.”
“What’s our goal tonight?”
“To be as charming and non-threatening as possible.” He places the last box into my hands.
I gasp when the black heels are revealed. They’re a work of art. The three-inch heel is made of metal worked to resemble a climbing vine. Ralph & Russo heels are expensive.
“Oh crap. You want me to play the silly witch in love with her vampire lover, don’t you?”
His lips curl. “You always were just as smart as you were beautiful.”
“If we come through this unscathed, I’m going to seek retribution.”
He chuckles. “I would expect no less.”
I force myself to stand.“Let me get to work on a proper presentation.”
“I’ll wait.”
“You’re worried,” I whisper.
“I know your house is warded, but right now with them in town, I will not take chances.”
“You expect to stay here with me?” I ask, wondering how Sacha would feel about the new addition.
“No, you will stay with me.”