The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(20)

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” I wasn’t sure how Disco managed to sound humored, considering the insult, but I knew without looking a breathtaking smile would be gracing his face.

“When can you leave for Miami?” Marius asked, returning my attention to the biggest baddie in the room.

“Monday.” I detested how weak I sounded, how defeated.

The amulet at my breast came to life once again, tempting me to call on its power and go head to head with Disco’s maker. I resisted the compulsion, difficult as it was. I had exactly three days to sort shit out. Thank God for Deena, who was responsible for my work schedule.

“Very well. I expect you back with the knife in hand no later than Tuesday morning.”

Marius strode past me, and I heard shuffling as everyone rose from their seats and exited the room. I thought Disco or Paine would stay behind, but they didn’t. The marks between us vanished as they left me exactly as I remained long after I heard the door close.

Insignificant and forgotten on the floor.





Chapter Four



After taking time to get my anger under control, I carefully rose to my hands and knees and dusted myself off. I had been in deep shit before, it was nothing new. However, Marius wasn’t your run of the mill vampire. Disco’s responses and reactions to my treatment told me everything I needed to know. He didn’t speak up for me or attempt to stop his maker when Marius decided it was time to get personal. Knowing my former lover as I did, that meant things were as bad, if not worse, than I bargained for. Disco would never willingly let Marius harm me—no matter how casually he reacted to my rough handling. That show earlier would have resulted in anyone else getting their ass kicked.

So where did that leave me?

What did it mean with regard to Sucker?

Sonja and I had discussed transferring the power of the dagger into another weapon, one that was less noticeable, something I could keep in plain sight. The spell was tricky, even for her, but she felt it was possible. The only reason I’d hesitated was I feared losing the power of the knife. True, the things I’d read about Sucker indicated the blade containing the ability to slay a demon couldn’t be destroyed so easily, but there was no mention of the magic. And even if we were able to pull it off, if Marius tested the knife I delivered he’d learn he’d been duped. I was pretty sure that would result in me resting in a box six feet underground.

That left another option, one I didn’t want to consider until now.

I dry washed my face with my hands, shaking the ache in my shoulder loose. Did I really want to indebt myself to a demon? That was the only way I could possibly convince one to bless another knife. That was the only way to create a weapon to replace the one I was pretty sure I was about to lose—something graced by the hand of a demon and angel, with the blessing of a holy man.

The simple answer to my question? Fuck no. The harder one? If I had to.

First things first. I had to survive the night. Tomorrow I could say I had things do, take my leave and think things over.

I left the room and, to my relief, no one was in the hallway. As I started walking, intent on going straight to the bedroom and out of harm’s way, I heard voices coming from Disco’s office. The room was located under the stairs in a small alcove. The area was mostly hidden due to a set of pillars on either side. My curiosity might get me killed, but I tiptoed toward Disco’s voice, stopping when I stood against the wall and could make out the conversation.

“She’s wrong for you,” Marius said.

Disco chuckled. “You think everyone is wrong for me.”

“True. But in this case, I mean it. She’s dangerous.”

“She saved my life.”

Someone took a deep breath, but I couldn’t see who it was. “You’re right,” Marius said as he exhaled, clueing me in on who needed a breath of fresh air. “Which is the only reason she’s still alive.”

I inched closer to the pillar and peered around the structure to see inside the room. Disco was seated behind his desk and Marius was at his back.

Disco’s face hardened in anger. “You gave me your word you wouldn’t harm her.”

“And I’ve kept it.” Marius placed a hand on Disco’s shoulder, and I noted the way Disco tensed, his mouth forming a hard line. “That’s why you didn’t rush me when I took her to the floor.” Marius’s fingers began playing in the short strands of hair at Disco’s nape. “I knew you wanted to. I could feel how infuriated you were. But you stayed exactly where I placed you when you entered the room.”

Disco didn’t move when Marius took his touch further, sliding his hand from the back of Disco’s neck, to his throat and down to his chest, until his palm rested over Disco’s heart. “I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have you feel that way for me, to willingly place your life in danger despite the cost.”

“You know that isn’t going to happen.”


“Why is that? What’s stopping you from reaching out to me?”


“You already know the answers to both your questions. I can’t change who or what I am.”

Marius moved his hand, until he gripped Disco’s chin and forced him to lift his head, until their gazes met. Marius ran his fingers along Disco’s jaw and swiped his thumb back and forth across his cheek—a lover’s caress. I saw what I’d glimpsed in the foyer earlier, only now, at my particular vantage point, I could name it. Marius had been a cold fish when he dealt with me, but as he gazed down at the vampire he had created, I could see love etched across his face.