Page 29 of House of Malice
“There has been rivalry between our House and the Dean,” Blaze said. “More precisely, between my father and the Dean.”
“Makes sense, knowing you were supposed to be framed for murders,” Andro said. “But it has to be more than your father and the Dean’s personal feud.”
“It is,” Val said. “And that’s what we have to figure out. Once we know what the Hel is going on, we can find a way to effectively protect ourselves and our House.”
Jolene and Andro nodded.
“And now, let’s head to see your sweetheart,” Val said with a sweet smile to Jolene. “This should be fun.”
12
Their carriage stopped by a grand art deco building in the Upper North Side. Blaze recognized this building because it was one of the many his father owned. It was a fancy hotel with event halls and conference rooms, as well as a massive penthouse at the very top, which was often reserved for the governors and senators whenever they visited the city.
And that was exactly where they headed once they entered the building. While they stood in the elevator with a faceless Crahen operating the machinery in the corner, Blaze’s stomach felt uneasy.
As if Alecto could feel the storm rising within him, she took his hand in hers and squeezed it lightly. Immediately, the tension in Blaze’s chest evaporated.
The elevator stopped, and when the door opened, a huge white marble hall appeared in front of them.
Val walked ahead, Jolene right on her heels. There was chatter somewhere, along with noises of dishes clattering and things being shuffled.
They walked through the hall and through a wide corridor until they reached the official dining room. It had large round window on one wall, overlooking the outside patio with a pool and the view of the whole city.
The last person Blaze expected to see there, sitting on an emerald-green velvet couch with ornate brass legs, was the Imp Queen.
“Oh, we have guests I see,” Moren said.
Leigh sat on one of the mustard-colored armchairs in front of the couch, and she turned once Moren said that. She smiled and nodded at them.
There were more people around, people Blaze didn’t know, going in and out of the dining room. He guessed they were with Leigh, editorial assistants or whoever else. And there were also two tall satyrs behind the emerald couch, their amber gazes focused on their group.
“Good to see you,” Leigh said, her voice warm. “We’re almost done with Moren and her interview. I just have a few more questions. Do you mind waiting?”
“Of course not,” Val said. “Take as long as you need.”
“There is a bar and a lounge where you can wait right there,” Leigh said, pointing a finger to the double doors on the left.
They left Leigh and Moren to finish their interview and entered the lounge. It was darker and more intimate, with black wood panels lining the walls and smoky mirrors on the ceiling. There was a brass-and-cream bar in the corner, with the brass and glass shelves behind it lined with spirits.
“Alright, who wants a cocktail?” Val asked, walking behind the bar.
“I do want acock, always,” Andro said, dropping his ass on one of the lounge chairs.
Blaze smirked. “You have one at all times at your disposal.”
Andro glanced at his crotch and sighed. “Not the same, Blazy. Not the same.”
“I wouldn’t know,” he said, plopping on the armchair next to him.
Andro arched an eyebrow. “Care to find out?”
“Hands off before you lose them,” Alecto said, walking over to Blaze. She sat on his lap sideways, facing Andro.
Blaze’s best friend barked a laugh. “So possessive, Miss Black.”
“I like them possessive,” Blaze murmured and kissed Alecto’s neck.
“She’s fucking gorgeous, isn’t she?” Jolene asked. She settled on the barstool. “I mean the Imp Queen. Moren, her name was? She’s like…carved out of the most perfect marble.”
