Page 8 of Hound

Fucking pampered pricks.

Like your doll?

The man from the vampire parlor had that air around him, confidence lining his posture and sustaining each stride, but. . .no. No way was he a part of the Regal Families.

They were the elite of the elite. And based on what Lace has told me in the past, they didn’t frequent those “offensive” locations.

“Yes. The Two-Species Treaty feud has worsened. The Premier is trying with all his efforts to make amends to avoid war, but he continues to meet opposition from both sides—mostly the vampires because of the Mubaraks’ disappearance.”

I lowered my gaze at him. “They care about one little royal family enough to spark a second Cold War?”

“It’s not about care. It’s about sustaining power where imbalances divide the world,” Lace affirmed.

The roll from my eyes went far into my skull. It’s the same spiel as always. It didn’t change my cemented opinion: power was as sensitive as the ego.

“Enzo.” There it was. My name on his tongue. The way to reel me back to him. Warmth flooded my system every time I heard it. It was like coming home to a heated blanket under a cold night. Comfort and security bundled into one.

I cleared my throat. Since when was something lodged there? “I know, I know. It’s just, Lace, doesn’t it sound ridiculous? One family vanishes into thin air and the entire vampire political state goes haywire.”

“The last time this happened, a Vampire Regal Family ceased to exist.”

“The Epides.” History wasn’t my thing, but when my boss loved emphasizing the repercussions of losing a Regal Family, I had no choice but to know it by heart.

“With the years, the Vampire Ministry has hardened the remaining six pillars, but it doesn’t mean they’re made ofimpenetrable stone. While the foundation of their body can withstand one missing family—one pillar—it can’t do another, because then it tips over and everything crumbles.”

“Has Mallory played a role?” My jaw hardened. Just saying his name set me aflame in the worst way possible. The only loose end that escaped me.

After that night, the week of my last post dragged like hell. Every waking moment was spent beating myself up over it.

Which meant it was all fucking day and all fucking night.

I should have killed him when I had the chance.

“No,” Lace released with a heavy sigh as he shook his head. “Like I’ve told you countless times, Enzo, no one outside the Vampire Ministry knows about the Mubaraks’ disappearance. Mallory went radio silent after your visit and hasn’t made an appearance since. You accomplished your mission. Don’t waste more time worrying about him.” His words echoed, exhaustion carving lines next to his eyes.

Even as his words of affirmation warmed my skin, the situation shrunk me into a pit of shame because I’d failed. I had never failed a mission—or Lace—ever.

An itch crawled in the back of my mind as something else withered inside me ever since Mallory. He was able to debilitate me with a piece of metal. The sharp ringing was one I’d never heard before, and the pain? Worse than anything my body has gone through. It was enough to blur my surroundings.

“Did you find the device?”

He shook his head. “Since we disabled the cameras, it’s been hard to trace it. I’ve had different groups sweep the parlor from all corners and nothing. Are you sure he dropped it?”

“Lace,” I muttered, an edge sharpening my tone. It had been a split second, but I saw the device vanish from Mallory’s hand.

A sharp grin relieved his hardened expression, a glint shining in his dark hooded eyes as he raised his arms. “You’re right.I’ll send another group. Hopefully, it turns up.” He cleared his throat. “Moving on. There’s a new assignment that came up relating to the Premier.”

He placed a few sheets of paper on the table, each one filled with information covering front to back. I’d just got back and he already wanted me to do the worst thing imaginable: homework.

“What’s the rundown?” I grumbled. No need to pretend I was interested when Lace knew better.

“With opposition comes death threats, and these threats have extended to his children. There has been an attack on the Sephtises. Thankfully, only one guardian sustained an injury.”

“How many guardians are posted currently?”

“Two-hundred and thirteen.”

“And they need one more?” While it was a ridiculous request, it wasn’t unheard of. These pompous vampire fucks thought everyone was out for them—human and vampire alike. I couldn’t blame the Premier, the head of the Vampire Ministry, but it was a little overkill.

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