Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires 11)

Just keep breathing, Sentinel. I’m right here.

I glanced up at Ethan, and his expression was utterly calm.

It’s his magic. It moves—it feels like it’s going right through me.

Your body is new to glamour, so you’re sensitive to it. Be still and breathe, he said, his voice soothing even psychically. You’re feeling anxious, and it’s normal. The distress will pass. I promise you that.

I had to keep it together. Had to stay calm, had to hide this reaction. There were too many enemies around us, too many threats toward Ethan.

The others—, I began.

Can’t tell you’re fighting it, Ethan said. You’re doing fine. Keep breathing. And when we get back to the House, talk to Lindsey. She’ll help you with techniques.

I nodded infinitesimally, kept breathing. Watched as two vampires rushed into the room in black shirts and cargo pants, swords unsheathed.

“Sire,” the guards said, hurrying to Irina with swords pointed, so it seemed we weren’t about to witness a coup d’etat on top of the dissolution of the House’s senior staff.

“She’s threatened mutiny, insulted our guests, and refused to obey orders.” He gestured vaguely at us. “They can verify if need be.”

It occurred to me that Morgan had wanted us there—in the House, in the room—because he suspected, or hoped, Irina would cause a scene and he’d have to act. We were his witnesses. We could verify that she’d been disruptive, and that whatever punishment he doled out to her—and to Celina’s faction—would be justified.

Maybe he was cannier than I’d given him credit for.

“Take her to her room. Stand guard until I get there.”

Their hands on her arms, Irina nailed Morgan with a glare. “We’ll take the House back, one way or the other.”

“In that case,” he said, “I look forward to the challenge.”

I thought that was true. But I still wasn’t certain he wanted to win it.

Chapter Sixteen

BECAUSE THE NIGHT

It was a full ten minutes before the room was clear and calm, before the magic dissipated like clouds after a deluge.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Morgan said, at a bar tucked into a cabinet, where he’d poured himself two fingers of amber liquid, drained it in an equal number of drinks. That Irina had sent me out of the room for a bottle of water made me dislike her a little more.

“Are you?” Ethan asked. “Or are you glad you had witnesses?” He’d also apparently guessed it wasn’t a coincidence Morgan picked that moment to bait Irina.

“Let’s say both.” Morgan came back to the table. “She wanted to air her grievances, and I wanted evidence of her insubordination. Two birds, one stone. And a House that’s falling apart.”

He sighed heavily. “I’m pretty well convinced she’s the one who told Will about King, about what the Circle wanted us to do. He’d have seen King as an enemy to Chicago, and it probably wouldn’t have taken much for her to convince him to act.”

“You haven’t questioned him yet?” Ethan asked.

o;And for right now, apologize to our guests. I also suggest you leave the room until you’ve regained your senses. Otherwise I can have you escorted out.”

Magic burst into the room from both directions, filling the air. This was as awkward to watch as a couple fighting at a dinner party. And just as secretly entertaining. If the situation hadn’t been so dire, and Irina’s obnoxiousness so deplorable considering the circumstances, I’d have asked for popcorn.

Irina rose. “You should never have been her Second.”

Morgan’s smile was thin but grim. “It wasn’t up to you to decide, but her. And since you’re so eager to beatify her, I’d think you’d respect her decision. Regardless, she is not here, and we are. Your apology?”

“Your guests are responsible for her death.”

That raised my hackles.