Page 103 of Midnight Kiss

It was terrifying yet tempting.

“How do I know you won’t betray me?” I asked, slyly.

“Our relationship will be built on trust,” Karn said. “And you will have to trust me. What alternative do you have, my dear? Will you ask your superiors at the U.C. to kill the girl and give you power? I’m afraid they won’t allow that.”

He was right.

I had already tried to muscle my way into Haldren’s office and get more information. He had threatened me with dismissal, which was, frankly, a slap in the face after everything I had done for the U.C.

Countless missions, grunt work, reporting to seniors, grinding my way up the ladder to get to the top, and they still treated me like I was worth nothing.

Karn’s cold fingers touched the back of my hand.

I flinched then stopped myself. Showing fear in front of an Ancient only opened me up to manipulation and weakness.

“Come with me, dear,” he said. “Our journey will lead us to a victory beyond your wildest imaginings. And when you are at the top, you will look down on the world from your perch and know that you have won.”

Images of what he’d said appeared in my mind’s eye, and I pulled out of his grasp, cutting them off.

“Don’t manipulate my mind, Karn.”

He smiled at me. “Merely showing you what you deserve.”

I finished the steak. A server took away the plate and refilled Karn’s glass from a crystal pitcher.

Karn gorged himself on the blood, drinking greedily, without refinement, then smacked his lips. “What do you say, Cassia? Will you join us?”

I studied him, turned, and looked out at the city lights, the clouds scudding across the sky, the park far below. If I did this, I wouldn’t go back.

Karn’s gaze was expectant.

I smiled at him. “Only if I get to kill Emily myself.”

To be continued

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