Page 55 of Princess Claimed

“These archives aren’t online?” Crusher asks. “We can’t separate again. Not until we’re sure this thing is dead.”

“The texts are never reproduced,” I tell him. Some master archivists believe that merely reading the ancient texts gives the demons described in them power. But that part sounds absurd, so I don’t mention it. “And their access is closely guarded.”

“But you can gain access?” Crusher asks.

I nod. “I think so. Plus, I can consult with other vampiric scholars who’ve already read the texts. I’ve already talked to one in Philadelphia. A guy named Zuben.”

Ana perks up. “Zuben? He’s one of my friend Ember’s mates.”

“He is?” I smile. “Do you know him well?”

She shakes her head. “Not that well. Just that he’s very smart, very serious, and very in love with Ember.” Ana’s cheeks flush.

“Yeah. Zuben’s the one who pointed me in the direction of the New York archives.” Zuben also recommended texts housed in the Vampiric Palace, but there’s no need to mention that—not yet. The idea of taking Ana to Romania fills me with even more uncertainty and dread. Once she’s back there, the king might not let her leave again. And given some things my brothers and I have done, we might not be able to leave either. We could spend the rest of our lives in prison.

“Rasputin.” Phil draws my attention. “If that asshole’s been after Ana since she was a child—fucking sicko—why did he wait a hundred years?”

“Good question.” I nod. “Based on my research, plus talking to Calix, the knight who helped us find Ana, I believe it’s hard for the demon to sense Ana when she’s underground—which she was in the vampiric palace.”

“That settles it.” Phil shifts toward her, and his massive thigh presses against her hip. “Ana stays here.”

Shaking her head, Ana turns toward Phil. Lifting Flame’s arm off her shoulders, she rises to her feet, then she straightens her shoulders. “I can’t hide underground forever. I won’t. I don’t want to be foolish, or needlessly expose myself, but I won’t live underground indefinitely.”

Closing her eyes, she draws a long breath, and her shoulders relax. “I refuse to live in fear, and I refuse to be a prisoner.” She looks at Phil. “I won’t be trapped, not again, not by fear, and not even by someone I love.”

Love? My chest tightens. Is Ana in love? With whom? Someone at the vampiric palace?

I shake my head. She must mean her father, the king.

Phil rises. “I get that.” His fingers brush hers, and confusion rises inside me.

“Ana.” Standing, Flame reaches for her other hand. “I won’t let anyone hold you prisoner. Not after all you’ve been through.”

“I can go to New York alone,” I say stiffly. It’s the last thing I want, but this research can’t wait.

“No.” Crusher stands. “We stick together. It’s been too long since we visited Delirium, and our living quarters there are well underground.”

Ana’s eyes flick toward him. “What’s Delirium?”

“One of our clubs.”

“One of?” Her eyes widen as her head tips to the side. “You own clubs? Multiple clubs?”

He nods. “We’ll head to New York. But until we’re certain you’re safe, we won’t leave your side.”

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Ana

Ihave never seen a more spectacular nightclub.

From the moment we enter Delirium, we’re given the royal treatment. Not because I’m a princess, but because of who I’m with. News of the brothers’ arrival spreads through the club like a wave, and it’s visible as well as audible. All around, heads turn, trying to spot us, which isn’t that hard given their heights. With Crusher leading the way and the other three men tightly around me, we head up to a balcony above the main dance floor, furnished with luxurious leather chaises and long, elegant chesterfields. A crystal bar stretches across the back of the space, displaying every high-end spirit imaginable, some resting inside blocks of ice.

“Welcome to Delirium.” Flame winks. “What do you think?”

“It’s…it’s amazing.” I’m grinning all over. Even my toes, visible in strappy high heels, are smiling. I’ve been to one other vampire club, and it was more decadent than humans could imagine, but this one exceeds all expectations. “You guys own this place?”

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