Crimson Truth (Onyx Assassins 4)

Benedict was smart enough to elect to stand behind me, rather than trying to occupy one of the vacant seats in the circle. Because, of course he wouldn’t dare to ever break protocol or edict.

Except when he kissed you senseless.

Ripples of heat crashed inside me at the intrusive thought and the sensations that followed—his tight grip in my hair, the no-fear approach to nipping playfully at my breast—

The ends of my hair started to move, my power ratcheting up with just the thought of his mouth on my body. I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to focus on the present.

On the witches and warlocks now staring at us.

The coven leaders curled their lips at the sight of the Assassin. So many of our kind still clung to the ancient laws about not crossing the species, but I’d never been one to adhere to any sort of bias doctrine.

“What is the blood sucker doing here?” a witch from the Cricketfire coven asked, her eyes narrowed. “This is coven business. Leave these creatures to Conclave.”

“Benedict is an Onyx Assassin, and my friend. You will watch your tone, Gemma. Or I will watch it for you.”

Benedict broke his normal stoic character, eyes widening at my words. He blinked, schooling his features back to that cold, lethal calm.

Gemma shifted in her seat, her lips pursed as if she’d sucked a lemon.

Luna, my sweet sister, merely flashed me a soft smile and dipped her head in Benedict’s direction. There was a keenness to her eyes, an ingrained fear she’d likely never be able to turn off, but she gave him her respect nonetheless. I loved her all the more for it.

“Anyone else?” I asked, practically begging them to say something. If his presence here riled any of them up? We’d be all the better for it.

Another perk of Mother off doing who knows what? Benedict and I could get to work to see if any of these coven leaders were the traitor in our midst. And what better way to sniff them out than to have my own personal lie detector sit in on the meeting?

No one hid their disapproval of my choices—they never had—but at least they kept their thoughts to themselves.

“You called this meeting,” I said, eying Gemma. “State your business.”

Somehow, she managed to wipe the look of disgust off her face. And quite frankly, I was shocked by her reaction to Benedict. Sure, he was a vampire, but how could any creature deny how fucking gorgeous he was? All lean muscle under that pristine suit, a warrior in a calming disguise meant to set you at ease right before he ravaged you…killed you. Oh, Goddess, maybe both.

“One of the Greenbriers’ consorts was seen stealing a goat from my personal cache.”

Luna’s brows rose, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“You called a coven meeting for such an infraction?” I asked.

“The goat was one of the blessed,” Gemma said, her face imploring to Luna more than me. Which, I couldn’t blame her. Luna would listen where I had the urge to dismiss the matter as a waste of my time and resources. We had an actual traitor to fret out, not some ridiculous prank between covens.

“Truly?” Luna asked, her voice cordial, calm. Those sapphire eyes of hers slid to the warlock leader of the Greenbriers.

“Yes,” Gemma answered, shooting daggers at the Greenbrier warlock.

He blew out a long breath. “I’ve apologized personally, Gemma. And had the youngling return the goat. What more do you want from me?” he asked, looking to me for guidance.

I straightened my shoulders, eyes on Gemma. “Does he speak the truth?”

Gemma huffed. “Well, yes, but—”

“But what?” I asked, patience thin. “You want me to demand the youngling’s head?”

“The goat is now tainted. The blood is no longer blessed and the Cricketfires can no longer breed it or use it for magic. The youngling has cost my coven in ways you seem to not understand.”

Luna gasped at her not-so-subtle jab at my intelligence, and the rest of the leaders fell quiet.

“Careful,” I warned, my tone sharp. “Be grateful I’m not the queen, for she would’ve already tied you to a stake for that slip of tongue.”

Gemma visibly swallowed, then dipped her head in a show of submission.

I sighed, but the energy roiling inside me had no intention of leaving any time soon. Maybe later I could ask Benedict to help with that—

Stop.

Right, priorities.

“The loss of any of the blessed creatures in the covens is great,” Luna said, her voice the one of calm and warmth. “But, I’m sure the youngling didn’t know what he was doing.” The Greenbrier warlock nodded quickly. “Either way, you are not satisfied with an apology and return of property alone. So, with my sister’s approval, I have a compromise to present.”

I nodded to her questioning gaze. Of course, I’d always agree with her. She was smart, strong, loving, and so damn compassionate I constantly admired her. Again, she should be in my seat, the queen’s heir, her right hand, and I should be in hers.