Page 72 of Siege of Blood and Betrayal

Cassiane sweeps a hand through the air, taking in the space. “DonorWatch is a company inspired by necessity. About seven years ago, I moved out of hell and brought many of my people with me. The business feeds my people and provides jobs and income to those of my clan who choose to live in the Human Realm.”

“It also set a new standard in feeding members of the Darkworld,” Dougal adds. “As the vampires who control the blood trade in the city, surely you understand the need to feed without raising notice.”

Zane nods. “I understand that very well. So, how do you support those feeding needs?”

“I was made aware of the national organ transplant criteria, and the volume of unusable organs rejected in each city, each day. Our organization now disposes of those organs to our benefit. And with our contacts in rescue services and provincial coroner offices, that supply of human organs earmarked for waste increased even further.”

Zane’s expression softens, the storm cloud brewing in his gaze finally easing. “An innovative way to not only thrive but remain unnoticed, Lady Cassiane.”

“Please, call me Cassi.”

Zane smiles. “And you may call me Zane.”

She seems to appreciate the informality and relaxes a little. “So, if your people were attacked, do you need blood?”

Zane shakes his head. “A turned army of vampires infiltrated our royal residence and held our children as leverage. Unable to fight back, my father was killed.”

Cassiane places her fingers against her chest. “My deepest sympathies to you both. Were the children harmed?”

“No. We’ve secured our young and retaken our home. Tonight begins the search for answers. I want to know who came after my people and where they are hiding.”

“And how do you believe I can help with that?”

Zane dips his chin. “Turning an army of vampires to follow your command comes at a price. Fledglings suffer from an insatiable hunger and the sire’s health is depleted. For any true-blood to turn as many followers as we believe our enemy has, he would need access to a notable feeding source. It seems Clare believes DonorWatch might be that source.”

Behind the best intentions of a queen working to transition her people into the Human Realm lies a network that keeps more than just demons alive.

Cassi frowns. “Gentlemen, since you know who my husband is, you must know his calling in life.”

I nod. “The Watchers of the Gray police the feeding quotas of darkworlders in the Human Realm, and ensure the citizens of the city remain unaware.”

Cassi nods. “Correct. So, if someone genuinely needed the services of DonorWatch to keep a group of young vampires level, I would offer them the help they need to ensure the safety of the innocent and the anonymity of our existence.”

“So, you’re saying you would side with assassins and those who terrorize children rather than help us?” Zane snaps, his tone sharp.

Cassi frowns. “I’m saying that I wouldn’t take sides at all. It’s not my place to get involved in the politics of other races. We simply offer a life-saving service to those who need it.”

Zane stretches his neck to the side, and I shift my stance to ensure he doesn’t get any big ideas like threatening the beloved mate of a dark angel.

“Tread lightly,” I say, hoping Zane will remember Clare’s warning and drop the hostility. “This isn’t her battle.”

Cassi cups her hands in front of herself and offers us a sympathetic smile. “I am deeply sorry for your loss and can honestly say that I do not know of a vampire—true-blood or otherwise—siring an army. If they used DonorWatch as a source of feeding, it was through the proper privacy channels, and I respect them for keeping those fledglings off the streets.”

Zane steps closer, his voice low and insistent. “You’re sitting on a pipeline of resources. If the vampires coming after my people are being supplied by this company, I will shut that down hard.”

The atmosphere of the room shifts. Cassiane’s gaze hardens, and the air grows colder, crackling with the power she’s keeping under wraps. “Don’t mistake my manners for weakness, Master Vasari. It’s time you continue your search elsewhere.”

Before I can intervene, the door at the back of the room opens and three ebony-winged nightmares comes storming through it.

Nephilim warriors are intimidating enough sitting across a bar tossing back a drink. Having them baring down on you with their hands on the hilt of their crystalline daggers and their massive wings turning the room into a landscape of dark feathers and harsh shadows is enough to make even the toughest of men shit themselves.

But Zane isn’t a normal man, and he doesn’t back down.

A territorial growl tears from the blond warrior leading the charge. Just fucking great.

“She answered your question, bloodsucker.” Kyrian’s voice carries the menace that comes from a being who is used to being obeyed. “It’s time for you to leave.”

Zane’s body tenses beside me, and I don’t even need to see him to know his fangs have descended past his lips and his eyes have flipped crimson. He gets like this right before he tears through enemies without a second thought.

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