Page 89 of Deadly Alliances

I gave a noncommittal shrug. “Maybe.”

I didn’t exactly love the idea of being responsible for Arya’s brother. I mean, I wasn’t the best with kids, and if things went wrong… I didn’t want to have that on my conscience forever.

Apingbroke the uneasy silence, and I lifted my left wrist to check my school-designated smart watch.

There was a message from Marguerite that read, “I need you at my room asap.”

I dropped my wrist and hung my head. “Looks like I gotta go. The succu-bitch is asking for me.” I slipped off the bed. “The best time to leave will be midday tomorrow when the sun is at its highest. I can probably use magic to blow the tarps away from the walls so the vamps will be at least hindered from following us. You might want to find out when Hadrian will be occupied.”

Arya’s shoulders slumped, the light dying from her eyes. “You’re probably right.”

“Unless you wantmeto do that,” I offered. “I’m sure you’re probably tired of dealing with dear old Daddy.”

She shook her head, getting off the bed to follow me to the door. “No. It should be me. I can ask questions you can’t because I’m his daughter, and I have what he wants.”

“And what’s that?” I asked, pausing at the door.

“My blood.” She looked down at her wrist as if she could see the precious liquid pumping through her veins. “It’s the last piece in his plan to become a hybrid.”

“And he hasn’t just taken that yet?” Knowing what I knew of Hadrian, I couldn’t believe he didn’t just poke her on day one.

“He said he wanted my permission and seemed pretty determined he’d earn it. But so far...” Before she looked away, I caught a glimpse of conflict in her eyes. Even after everything her father had done to Tobias, she obviously still held onto some hope that he had goodness somewhere in that black heart.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “At least you’ve been able to keep him from gettingsomething he wants. I practically served him daywalking on a silver platter.”

“Shea—”

I shook my head. “No. I’ve been stupid. That’s on me.”

She put a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You know, one of my teachers told me that living in the past is useless. We can feel guilty over it, but it won’t change anything. And it will probably keep you from doing what you’re meant to do to make things better. Or something like that.”

I gave her a knowing sideways glance. Totally something Caesar would say. “Sounds like good advice. I’m not sure I’m there yet, though.”

She nodded. “I understand. Just try not to beat yourself up too much. I’d hate for you to do something stupid right as we’reabout to get out of this place.”

I frowned at her as I opened the door. “The days of Shea Le Fey doing something stupid are over.”God, I hope so.

***

I pulled my sweater tighter around me as I slowly made my way back through the halls of the upper towers. Though I missed the heat of Arya’s room, the cold certainly woke me up a bit more, and I was going to need all my wits about me to face Marguerite after last night.

While I was grateful she hadn’t sent for me all day, it was also a cause for alarm. There was a lot I did with that memory spell, and magic can go a little haywire when your focus and intention spread too thin. And if she was sending for me, there was likely only one reason—blood. I was about to find out how well the latter part of my spell panned.

When I finally reached her room, I knocked tentatively on the door, my heart beating an ominous tune in my temples. The door suddenly opened, with Marguerite standing in front of me.

“Well, it’s about time,” she snipped with a haughty roll of her eyes. “What took you so long?”

“Human legs, stairs,” I answered casually.

Her eyes narrowed to slits, the predatory look spiking my heart rate, and I realized I was being far too catty. But part of me didn’t care anymore. I was so done with this bitch. And last night changed me. I was no longer afraid of her. I had seen how easily I could destroy her, and I had let her live. She was still a lot faster and physically stronger than me, but my magic evened the scales and put us on equal footing. And the fact that she didn’t knowthat gave me the upper hand.

I cleared my throat and gave her an obliging smile. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m thirsty. What else?” she replied, pulling the door open further in a gesture for me to enter.

I nodded and stepped inside as my heart pounded like a war drum. Okay, maybe I was still a little afraid of her.

I flicked my gaze to Julian, where he still lay in the bed, but he didn’t make any sign of acknowledging my presence, then I turned to face the bloodwhore.

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