Page 13 of The Rogue's Curse

At that, Misha spared a chuckle. “But it would be quite impressive.”

“So what are you here to do?” Paris asked. “No offense, but I don’t see how you alone are going to solve this.”

“I’m not going to solve it all alone,” he said. “My job here is to take down Carrigan Shea while you deal with the rest.”

At that, Paris laughed. “And the Sanguine Crown thinks that one man can do what an entire court cannot?”

“I am a blood witch from the Court of Thanatos,” he said. “You tell me.”

The three vampires gaped at him, while Olivia glanced back and forth between them. “Mr. Volkov, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what that means,” she finally said.

“It is exactly what it sounds like, Ms. Pierce. I have an innate magical gift which was enhanced when I was turned into a vampire. For your purposes, this meansthat I can deal with this vampire in ways that you cannot,” Misha said. “And while I determine how best to kill him, you will have your hands free to deal withprotecting your people and handling his followers.”

He glanced around the table, catching their subtle, sidelong glances. Did those looks say, thank God, he’s going to save us, or there’s no chance in hell he can do this?

Rafi’s advice rang in his mind. Be polite, but do not show insecurity. Your power demands their respect. Maintaining a bland expression and calm tone, he swiped to a new page of the notetaking app on his tablet. “How are your connections with local law enforcement?”

Julian and Paris exchanged a look. After clearing his throat, Julian shook his head and said, “They’re compromised. Prior to the split, we had a working relationship with a dhampir police officer, but she was threatened and has since moved out of town. At least half a dozen cops have been turned or are on Shea’s payroll that we know of.”

“Likely more since Charlotte left,” Olivia said. “That’s my guess, at least.”

He made a note. That would certainly make things harder. “And I’m told you have a human witch working for your court? I sensed her work when I arrived.”

Julian nodded. “Shoshanna York. She’s quite talented, but this is new territory for her. She’s learning a lot as she goes,” he said.

“I would like to meet her and seek her assistance,” Misha said. “Please ensure that she makes herself available.”

Paris scowled. “Shoshanna won’t like blood magic.”

“If she is human, she likely has no clue what she’s talking about when she refers to blood magic. Make it happen,” he replied mildly. “Do you have any idea where Shea is now?”

“We’re working on some financial leads,” Olivia said eagerly. “He’s got layers of companies and agents, though. Just like we do.”

Misha nodded and said, “I need a sample of his blood. Any chance you’ve got it?”

“I have clothing that has blood on it,” Paris said quietly. “Would that work?”

“Not for something of this magnitude. I need fresh blood, and a fair amount of it.Do you have access to someone that is bound to him? A prisoner, perhaps?” Misha asked.

“The woman who picked you up at the airport was turned by Shea, but Shoshanna broke his bond to her,” Julian said. “Would that work?”

He shook his head. “Likely not, unless it was in the last day or two.”

Paris cleared his throat. “We sent some prisoners to the Mausoleum at the beginning, but since then, we’ve been killing his people. They won’t turn on him, so we take them out of the equation,” he said, leveling his gaze on Misha. There was a challenge in those pretty, pale eyes.

“I would do the same,” Misha said. Paris’s nostrils flared, as if he was annoyed that Misha had agreed with him. That little look of irritation made him even more charming. Like his angry outburst earlier, seeing his polished façade slip made him far more real.

“To the best of our understanding, he’s pulled in a lot of Untethered vampires, or defectors from other courts, including ours,” Julian said. “We can give the order for our hunters to capture instead of kill, but it’s just as likely that they’ll find someone not bound to him.”

“Give the order,” Misha said. “It’s a start.”

“Lilah and Kieran,” Olivia said quietly.The others glanced at her, but she was staring intently at Misha. “They were serving him a while ago. I don’t know if he turned them, but they definitely are connected to him somehow.”

“How can I see them?” Misha asked.

Paris raised an eyebrow. “They’re currently in the Mausoleum.”

He sighed. Of course. “Can we visit, or would you prefer to have them brought here?”

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