Page 38 of Clash of Sin and Secret

“I should’ve spoken to Angelo before we turned in.” The ache in Zane’s regret echoes in the darkness of his bedroom.

Glancing across the pillows, I watch him stare at the ceiling. I don’t have to possess the Vasari gift of mind manipulation to feel his thoughts churning. Dante’s death looms heavily over both of us. The man was a pillar of the royal guards. Hell, he came over from Italy with Francesco.

His loss will stand as yet another tremendous blow for the clan.

“It was an honorable death. He sacrificed his life to save yours.”

Zane swallows. “That’s better than how Bran and my father died.”

“They sacrificed in their own way. Your father died to protect the young and Bran denied Daeva the location of you and the dagger and died to escort him into their next life. Whatever the next phase of existence is, your father has his best friend and protector with him.”

“But what if there is no ‘next phase of existence’?”

“I choose to believe there is. We live in a world of magic and Otherworld races. It’s not so strange to believe there could be an After.”

Zane grows quiet and I let my eyes fall closed. Our injuries from the explosion have fully healed. There are a few places where the worst of my burns haven’t healed yet, but the skin isn’t bubbling or oozing anymore. It’s just tender. If it hadn’t been so long since I last fed, I probably would be fully healed.

“Her taking care of us was something, wasn’t it?”

To say the least. “Surprised the hell out of me. I don’t understand where that came from.”

His expression is thoughtful. “She understands now—what we did and why. She knows she hurt us and in her way, takingcare of us after the explosion, cleaning our wounds and assessing our injuries was her way to begin the healing.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

He’s right. Zane has always understood how her mind works better than me. “I thought for a moment she might get naked and improve our night in all the best ways.”

Zane shifts beside me, rolling onto his side. “No. Tonight was about testing the waters. We broke her trust and that will take rebuilding.”

“But she said she intends to stay, so that gives us time, right? Do you think that means she’s accepting her place as your Sacred Squire?”

He grunts. “Will you be angry if she does?”

I roll onto my side to face him, propping my head up on my hand. “I’ve thought a lot about that.”

“And what did you come up with?”

“I figure I’ve protected you for years without powers—I’m a vampire warrior. If she’s coming into battle with us, I want her to have as much of an advantage as possible. I hate the idea of her getting hurt.”

Zane nods slowly, his emerald eyes clouded with uncertainty and fear.

I understand that. After watching Dante disintegrate into nothing tonight, there’s no denying the dangers we face when we leave the compound are more dire than ever before.

We both fall back into silence again, letting our minds wander through all the possibilities this new dynamic might bring.

There, in the comfort of the king’s bed, with silk sheets draped low over our hips, the soft sound of Zane’s breathing is steady and familiar. In the wake of Scottie leaving us, we grew closer.

We fell in love.

It’s not the wildly breathless yearning I’ve always felt with Scottie—it’s different. My love for Zane is slow and strong. It’s protective and familiar. It’s the foundation of my safe place.

But how will that change if Scottie is here to stay?

The idea both thrills and terrifies me. What if it’s like before and they only have eyes for one another? Where will that leave me?

My instincts tell me to play it cool, but the panic is growing. I want Scottie to stay but I can’t bear the thought of being on the outside looking in.

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