The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(48)
Fuck me. The amulet.
I searched for the vampire who had taken it from me. When my gaze rested on Marius, I wanted to rush him, tackle him to the ground and take necklace back. He saw me staring and slipped the amulet into his pocket.
“I will keep this until I have total faith in your loyalty to the family. Do not speak of it and do not seek it out. Doing so will not bode well for you.” He righted himself, standing regally, as though he was delivering an important message. “We have a guest arriving this evening,” he said in an even tone, once again calm, with a face so expressionless one might think he was carved from stone. “When he does, you will show him respect, fealty, and devotion. If you don’t, I will no longer be able to help you.”
“Help?” I laughed even though it hurt. “You call this help?”
“You stupid, selfish girl.” It seemed so odd to hear Marius speak with so much vehemence when his face was so smooth and unreadable. “You think I’m the enemy here. You have since I arrived. I know Ethan tried to explain my reactions and treatment, but you still refuse to see. What I’ve done to you is nothing. A mere scratch on otherwise pristine armor. I hoped it would be enough to demonstrate why it was so imperative that you listen to me, the importance of your deference to those around you. Now I know nothing will cure you of your pride and recklessness but my sire.”
“His sire?” I looked at Disco for confirmation, making sure I’d heard right.
“Revenald Bhevencourt,” Marius answered before Disco could. “My maker, the true ruler of this house and the absolute authority over everyone who exists under its power.”
“I thought you said he wouldn’t come.” I didn’t dare glance at Marius, keeping my eyes on Disco. “I was told that giving you the dagger would end everything.”
I considered reaching for my back and handing the damned thing over, no longer feisty or consumed by fury, when Disco said, “He wouldn’t have, if you’d listened to me.”
He lifted his blond head and met my gaze. An emotion I knew like the back of my hand flashed in his eyes.
Dread.
“When you didn’t come home this morning, Revenald sensed it through his connection with Marius. He’ll arrive when the sun sets.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“I’ll tell you what’s going to happen.” Marius strolled over to us, footsteps leisurely. “He’s going to come here. You’re going to learn just how nice I’ve been to you. Then you’re going to retrieve the knife and bring it back to him like a proper servant. I suggest that when you do, you forget any and all grievances that occur during your time in his presence. Thank him for allowing you to live and don’t give him any other reason to pay you a visit.”
Paine returned, his dark eyes lethal. “She’s telling you the truth.”
“Finally, a breakthrough.” Marius stopped beside me and Disco. “Lying won’t do you any favors. Truth is your strongest weapon now. If you lie to my maker, he will know. He always knows.”
Every single bit of my control was tested as he stood over us. There was so much resentment in me, craving an outlet. I knew entering into a vampire family would change my life, but I never truly understood just how much. And I never asked for it. I never even f*cking wanted it. My identity was being taken without my consent. I was being molded into with what they wanted me to be. And the worst part was Sonja’s warning that I’d been coddled—that I had yet to see anything when it came to the half-demon, vampire world—was spot-on. Research only gave a person so much information. Hands on experience was so much more enlightening.
Despite that, I softened when Disco moved closer, his hand still on mine. It had puzzled me how someone so understanding, so tender, could maintain control of a city that was so large. Joseph was a feared master of the New York, but he was far more violent, willing to do whatever it took to maintain his status. I’d learned that firsthand. Disco, however, was a deep thinker, taking his time, resorting to violence only when necessary. Recent events solved the mystery. Disco was powerful and dangerous, but his connections made him someone no one would f*ck with.
“If you’re done here, I’m taking her to our room.” Disco gazed pointedly at the floor, refusing to meet the eyes of his maker.
“Take her to your room if you desire, but don’t allow your feelings to overcome reason,” Marius replied. “You knew what would happen if she didn’t take my warning seriously. We gave her the opportunity to do things my way, without interference. Now it is out of our hands.”
After Disco helped me to my feet, Marius placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t give Revenald a reason to hurt you. Do as you’ve always done and keep your morality out of vampire business.” There was genuine emotion—a mixture of love and fear—in the request. “Don’t tempt him to include you in his lessons. Tell her why it’s so important that she doesn’t fight tonight.” Marius stopped, squeezed Disco’s neck, and whispered, “Please, Gabriel. You know how this must be. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
Disco regarded Marius over his shoulder. “I think we both know it’s too late for that.”
“That’s true, but I’m telling you just the same.” Marius moved closer, until his mouth was near Disco’s ear. “Don’t make things worse. It won’t help either of you. You have to be smart. Become the vampire you were intended to be. Your humanity will serve no purpose.” He lowered his voice, like he was sharing a shameful secret. “Trying to protect her could backfire, and then where will you be? Suffering alongside her? Unable to do anything but watch as she’s broken? If she survives the night, you have an eternity to mend her wounds. You can be there for her in the aftermath. Sometimes it’s not actions that count but the absence of them. Remember that.”