The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(81)
“Graham never did anything to you,” she retorted bitterly. “Yet you killed him. How is it any different?”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I remembered seeing Disco on the ground, betrayed by those he trusted, all because Graham Tavish wanted control of New York. “Your brother tried to kill my lover—my master. It is my duty to protect him. The comparison is weak, and you know it.”
She laughed derisively. “It only goes to show just how little you know and understand about our world. Demons and their creations don’t ask for power. They take it. It’s been that way since the dawn of time. If your master was attacked and lost the battle, he was too weak to sustain the position. Your involvement only proves what I say to be true. Gabriel Trevellian should have died, not my brother.”
“I wish Revenald hadn’t hauled ass out of here just so he could hear you say that. Somehow I don’t think he’d appreciate Graham’s involvement against one of his own. How do you think he’ll react when he learns your brother attempted to destroy his house? My survey says you f*cked up. Big time.”
She paled at my words and I bit back a grin. True, I might not know everything about the vampire and demon world, but I did know that Graham had instructed another vampire to kill Gabriel so that he could attempt to claim control of the city without going against Revenald. Half-demons didn’t f*ck with half-demons. If Graham’s plan had worked, Revenald would never have known he’d been played.
Demons and their f*cked up games. How I hated them.
“It doesn’t matter now. Graham is dead, and I’m next. I’ve heard the whispers, I know what you stated before you ended my brother’s life.”
I shrugged. Couldn’t argue that. Give the girl a cookie. “You’re right, it doesn’t matter.”
“Then why don’t you get it over with?” She never lowered her chin, keeping her head high. Christ, the bitch was as hoity-toity as she’d been when we’d met in the future. Even though I had the upper hand, she refused to acknowledge it. I supposed in a lot of ways I wasn’t surprised.
“I have a few questions for you,” I answered, studying her. “If you answer them honestly and stop being a bitch, I’ll make sure your death isn’t as bloody as Anton’s. And believe me, I want to see you bleed. I want you to suffer after what you did to my sister.”
“I have an answer for you.” Her lips curved, creating a knowing leer. “How about no.”
“No?”
Her green eyes were full of defiance. “I won’t answer any of your questions.”
I sighed, but it was all for show. I expected this. “I would say that’s too bad, but I’d be lying. Do you want to know why?”
She snorted, flicking her head so waves of black fell around her shoulders. “Not really.”
“Tough, because I’m going to show you.”
I pulled the butterfly knives from my belt. I’d learned a long time ago that I was ambidextrous, though my right hand provided better aim and it was the one I wrote with. I flicked the blades open, listening to the melody of metal gliding apart only to come back together. With a flick of my thumbs, I engaged the spring clasps, locking the handles in place.
I approached slowly, letting her see the weapons. Disco had sent them to me when he was trying to get back in my good graces. I was shocked when I learned they were silver. He could never handle the things, but I could. I remembered thinking it was his way of saying if I gave him another chance and he f*cked it up, he’d give me something that would allow me to punish him for his stupidity. Bringing weapons into the bed—dangerous and kinky at the same time. Now I knew he trusted me even though I hadn’t trusted him. He willingly placed his life in my hands.
“Let go,” I instructed the vampire holding Victoria’s right hand to the chair. As soon as he stepped aside, I lifted my arm over my head and brought the knife down. It punctured her skin, sinking past tissue and tendon, and the tip stopped when it lodged in the wood beneath her palm.
She bit her lip to keep from screaming, but I heard the muffled cry just the same. Blood dripped from her mouth, a red line creeping down her chin. I told the vampire holding her other arm to move away, only this time Victoria didn’t stay still. She tried to bring her arm to her chest and protect herself from further injury.
“Now, now,” I said. “Earlier you were talking about how wonderful devastation felt. I’m assuming that only applies when someone else is the victim.” I hiked my chin at the vampire who’d released her. “I want her arm on that railing. Hold her by the wrist. Don’t let her move.”
She tried to prevent him from getting hold, but it was futile. Once her hand was in position, I sank the second butterfly knife in the same place as the first, nailing her hand in place with the blade. Again, she muffled her scream, but I saw the red tears in her eyes and knew that it hurt like a bitch.
Fan-f*cking-tastic. Maybe now she’d be more agreeable.
“Where are Gabriel and Jenny? What have you done with them?”
I’d rather have killed Victoria, but since Disco hadn’t reestablished our mark I knew he was still unconscious. It would be hell to find him in a house this large. They’d said the slave quarters, but I had no idea where those were. Even if the slaves showed me where they lived in this hellhole, he could be anywhere. Then there was Jennifer. What had they done with her? Where would you put a newly turned vampire? Disco said he’d been placed in the earth, but Marius had changed him and Paine in the open, following a Civil War battle. Would Jenny be above or below ground? In a bed or in a shallow grave?