Tyrant (Scars of the Wraiths #2)(41)

Liam squeezed my waist to get my attention when we stopped at his table. “Abigail, my love, may I introduce Jasmine. A new business acquaintance of mine.” Bastard knew I hated when he called me Abigail.

“A pleasure,” the woman nodded to me, but remained seated in the booth.

She wrapped her long, manicured fingers around her wine glass and lifted it to her bright red lips. My eyes widened and breath caught in my throat when I noticed the white webbing tattooed on her fingers.

Shit, she was a Lilac. A vampire and a Lilac together couldn’t be good.

I’d never met a Lilac, as they were rare, but this woman’s gorgeous appearance matched how Trinity had described their fabled beauty. Perfectly smooth skin with long, ash-blonde hair that hung over her shoulders in soft tresses. Her eyes were so blue it was as if a can of cerulean paint had splashed into them. No wonder Lilac’s were able to draw in any man they chose. Not so good for the men.

What was Liam doing with a Lilac? What was a Lilac doing in Toronto? As far as I knew, it was an off-limits city, considering Waleron resided here and everyone knew Waleron’s history with Lilacs.

“Sit, my love.” Liam gestured with his arm to the booth. I slid in and he slid in after me. Jasmine sat across from us. “Abigail is making the Transition,” Liam drawled.

“Is that so?” Jasmine’s thin, penciled-on brows lifted. “My understanding is that you’re a witch at present. An interesting combination.”

So, Liam had spoken with this woman before and, obviously, it wasn’t all business. “Well, I don’t know if it worked—”

“Yes,” Liam interrupted. “It is a wonderful new beginning.”

She raised her glass of red wine. “A toast, to your new life. May it bring you both joy and an abundance of blood.”

I stiffened at Jasmine’s remark. No. It was impossible. She couldn’t know. No one knew, except Trinity and me. If any vampire found out—if the Scars found out—Christ, what had I done?

Everything would’ve been fine if not for the pregnancy. It wasn’t supposed to go down like this. I didn’t even know whether I could survive the detox and still keep my baby alive. Shit, if the detox would even work. If I Transitioned…

Jasmine wore a perfectly ironed white blouse with the two top buttons left undone, revealing a hint of her lace bra. Her smile was kind, and yet everything about her made me uneasy—sharp angular jaw and eyes that refused to waver, even under Liam’s intensity.

I shivered, rubbing my bare arms and shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Something felt off. Why had Liam wanted me to meet Jasmine? Or had it been the other way around? Did Jasmine want to meet me? Did she know about my ability? Liam and Jasmine knew I’d recognize what she was.

She reached into her black purse and pulled out an envelope, sliding it across the table to Liam. “I think this will help convince you.”

Liam picked it up without saying anything, slit it open with his long baby fingernail, and pulled out what appeared to be a legal document. His eyes scanned the document; then there was a tug upward at the corners of his mouth. When he looked up, his eyes sparkled a deep yellow and he chuckled.

“Interesting. And rather surprising news. You’re certain neither of them have any idea?” he asked.

Jasmine smiled. “Of course not. We never intended them to find out—so soon. But new developments have arisen and we must further our cause using other resources.”

“And that would include me,” Liam said, raising his brows and settling back in his seat, legal document left lying on the table.

I tipped forward to see if I could read it, but Liam’s arm shot out in front of my chest and pushed me back.

“Yes,” she said in a soft, lyrical tone. “You have a new development and so do I. Merging our resources will assist us in accomplishing what we both want.”

Liam was quiet, taking his time to answer. He lifted his wine, took a sip, and then set it back down again, finger tapping on the rim. “Your timing is impeccable, Jasmine, and I do believe a business partner is just what is needed.”

“And her?” Jasmine nodded in my direction and I swallowed.

Liam put his hand under the table and squeezed my thigh. “Unfortunately, now it’s complicated, as I said, but in time, she will be the greatest asset.”

Greatest asset? Oh, God, Liam knew. He had to. I couldn’t stay here any longer. I had to get out. My nerves sparked off in warning, and with the adrenaline rush, my thirst for blood intensified.

“I need to…” Shit, he’d never let me leave the bar. “I have to use the ladies’ room.” My heart pumped and saliva pooled in my mouth. Screw Jedrik’s plan. I needed out now.

Liam’s palm rested on my thigh and he slowly slid it up between my legs and cupped me. I stiffened and ground my teeth together. It was an owning gesture and a claim that I was soon to be his.

He leaned toward me and whispered in my ear. “Relax, my feisty witch.”

Liam turned his attention back to Jasmine and started talking, but I couldn’t focus on what they were saying because I trying not to throw up as Liam’s index finger twitched back and forth over my clit.

Bastard. He wasn’t going to let me go. Oh, God, I was so screwed. I shifted back in my seat, trying to escape his touch, but he merely moved with me.