Page 29 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“Hurry before I change my mind,” I said dryly as I pretended to clean underneath my nails.
He clapped his hands and sat up. “Right! The vampires,” he began. “I received a tip that they’re running a business through the Underclaw Market.”
I frowned and reached for the fruit tray, popping a grape in my mouth. “That’s the black market. It’s not surprising that they would run a shady business through there. It’s near the Nightfall Citadel, which is their territory. Why are you worried about that?”
“I traced some of the payments made to the ministers of the court and they all came from the Underclaw Market, specifically, from a vampire named Horatio. But the accounting books didn’t specify what business they were dealing in.”
I gave my brother a stern look. “In other words, you don’t know if the money is clean or not.”
His eyes widened. “It’s coming from the Underclaw. Of course it’s not clean!”
I tsked. “Not all business there is bad business. Some of it is legitimate.”
He sighed. “Either way, can you look into it for me? Someone is paying off these court officials and circumventing our father’s rule. It’s not good.”
“Have you tried telling our—yourfather?”
Thorne chugged the rest of his wine before answering. “I have, but he doesn’t believe me. He trusts these officials because he believes they are friends.”
“An emperor has no friends,” I corrected, peering over at my brother to remind him of his future.
Thorne swallowed nervously. “I know,” he whispered.
I nodded. “I’ll look into it and get back to you.” I popped another grape into my mouth. “Anything else?”
Thorne shook his head. “Thank you, brother. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. There’s no one else in the valley I can trust.”
“Are you sure you want to trust me?” I peered over at him. He didn’t know about my twin flame mark or what it meant for his future, and I didn’t plan on telling him. I didn’t plan on telling anyone. It was best if no one knew. And if Thorne’s obliviousness about Lady Gianna was any indication, my father also didn’t want anyone to know.
Thorne watched me intently for a moment before speaking. “Yes, Damien, I’m sure I want to trust you. I know you would never betray me.”
“Let’s hope not.” When I stood, Thorne followed suit. “It’s best if you leave first. I think I’m going to stay a little longer.” I sent a lingering look over at Lysandra.
Thorne snorted. “Of course, brother. Have fun.” He winked, grabbed his cloak, and covered his head with the hood. “Behave yourself,” he joked, then strode out the door.
I shut the door behind him, and the girl playing the lute stopped playing and exited the room through the back door, leaving me alone with Lysandra. I sat back down on the lounge chair. “Did you listen?”
Lysandra collapsed onto the chair beside me and lounged lazily, resting one arm along the back of the chaise to hold up herhead. “Yes, I heard, my lord,” she sighed. “Would you like me to follow up?”
I nodded. “Do any vampires come here to The Gilded Serpent?”
She shook her head. “Not many, but we do receive special requests for private affairs at the Nightfall Citadel. I can have one of my girls go and dig around.”
“Good.” I leaned my head back on the chair and blew out a breath. “Whatever you hear about the Underclaw Market, I want to know about it. Even if you think it’s not important, pass the information along.”
“Yes, my lord,” she purred as she crawled across the lounge chair toward me. “Do you need me to service you tonight?”
I brushed her away, feeling a ripple of disgust. “No,” I clipped out before standing to leave. I was only putting on a show for my brother. He needed to see me in a certain light so he wouldn’t know who I truly was.
“My lord?” Lysandra grabbed my sleeve. “It’s been years,” she whispered. “Have I done something wrong?”
I gently pulled my sleeve from her grasp and wrapped my cloak around my shoulders. Shaking my head, I said, “I know what you want from me, Lysandra, but you won’t get it, as alluring as you are. What we have is a business transaction. No matter how much you wish it, I won’t fall in love with you. I don’t know how.” I turned my gaze away from her, but I didn’t miss the unshed tears glimmering in her sapphire eyes. “You might as well give up now.”
With those parting words, I exited the room.
Keeping to the shadows,I navigated the bustling nightlife area with silent, deliberate steps. The taverns still buzzed with activity, and raucous laughter and drunken shouts spilled out of their doorways. Stale ale and sweat lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of roasted meat from a nearby food stall.
I skirted around a group of revelers, their faces flushed with drink as they stumbled out of a tavern, singing loudly and off-key. Further down the street, a couple argued loudly outside a shabby inn, their voices echoing off the walls. I slipped past them, my ears tuned to any sound that might signal danger. Just as I neared the edge of the district, ready to shift into my dragon form and fly toward Obsidian Reach, a familiar voice caught my attention. I paused, straining to hear.
