Night's Honor (Elder Races #7)(66)

She gave him another remarkably beautiful, complex smile. You don’t really have a choice.

He snapped, You haven’t even explained what you intend to do. We haven’t talked over options.

Julian and Soren have made it clear we don’t have any options.

Julian strode back into the room, holding a manila envelope. He handed it to Tess, and she slipped the folded paper inside and sealed it.

Xavier couldn’t stand it. Not caring that Julian and Soren stood nearby and watched, he grabbed her by the shoulders. He demanded, I’m supposed to protect you. Where did that go?

Something happened to me over the last six weeks. Tess laid a hand on his chest. I internalized what you and Raoul have been teaching me, and the conversations in my head really did change. I’m grateful you want to protect me. That means so much to me—much more than you can know. But I’m going to protect myself now. I need to do this, Xavier, and for more than one reason. Malphas needs to know this comes from me.

Taking hold of his wrists, she gently removed his hands from her shoulders. Then she said aloud to Soren, “I’m ready.”

Soren said in a voice filled with Power, “Malphas.”

If Xavier could have torn that name out of the air, he would have. Silence fell in the room, and it took on a listening quality.

A maelstrom arrived, filling open space in the room like a tornado springing from nothing. It coalesced into the shape of a handsome, golden-haired man whose eyes were starred with Power every bit as strong as Soren’s.

The handsome man’s shining gaze swept the room, taking in everyone present and coming to rest on Tess. Fury suffused his expression. He looked so hostile Xavier took an instinctive step forward toward her. She might not want his protection, but by God, she was going to get it.

Snapping out words like he was biting the air, Malphas said, “Well, isn’t this an interesting gathering. Both the Nightkind King and the head of the Elder tribunal—Tess, you’ve been surprisingly efficient at striking up new acquaintances.”

“I’ve worked hard at it,” she said between her teeth.

Malphas clenched and unclenched his fists, and Xavier’s gaze fell to track the movement. “Soren,” Malphas hissed. “What are you doing with my ex-employee?”

“I don’t converse with pariahs.” If Soren’s voice had been cold before, now it was a single spike of deadly ice.

“I find that inconsistent, since you’re the one who summoned me here. Whatever stories this human might have told you, they have nothing to do with Djinn law. But you already know that, or you would have gathered many more Djinn to meet with me.”

Malphas strode forward, his attention turning back to Tess. The veneer of humanity he wore thinned, and details of his appearance grew disconnected. He still had two eyes, a mouth and nose, cheekbones and jawline, but none of the features looked like they comprised an actual face, and sheer raw Power shown out of him like light from a lantern.

“Tell me, Tess,” he said. “How have you enjoyed the dreams I’ve sent you?”

If she had been pale from tension before, now she turned chalk white. She whispered, “They’ve been engrossing.”

“You know they’re just a taste of what I can do if you really cross me. Tell me you haven’t really crossed me, and you can have your old job back. It’s all there waiting for you—the six-figure income, your nice apartment and all your nice things. The bad dreams will stop. All will be forgiven.” Malphas pulled his lips into a smile and opened his eyes wide. “I promise.”

Xavier moved directly between Tess and Malphas, turning to face the Djinn with reddened eyes and fangs fully descended. Every predatory instinct he possessed urged him to attack, and he had to fight to control himself.

“The Vampyre seems to think he might be able to do something to stop me.” Malphas gave Xavier a vicious look. “How terminally misguided of him. Do you think I should let him try something to make him feel manlier, or should I stake him now and be done with it?”

Julian blurred to Xavier’s side. The Nightkind King’s fangs had descended too. “Attacking one of my subjects is an act of war with the entire Nightkind demesne.”

“If you insist,” snapped the Djinn. “I can stake you too.”

“You know what, Malphas?” Tess said suddenly. “I am so done with you. Do you hear me? I am done. I’m done with your snotty attitude, and your petty cruelties and threats, and this persistent belief you have that you’re untouchable. I’m done being afraid of you. I’m done giving you real estate in my head. I’m getting you out of my life, and burying you in the past where you belong.”

She strode to Soren and held out the sealed envelope.

“What is that?” Malphas said. The open viciousness in his face ebbed and a different kind of tension took its place.

Tess ignored him. She said to Soren, “Will you strike a bargain with me?”

After a long glance at Malphas, Soren smiled. “Why yes, human, I believe I will. What kind of bargain did you have in mind?”

“I want you to take this envelope and keep it safe,” Tess said. “As long as Malphas does nothing to harm me or anyone else in the Nightkind demesne, I want you to promise this envelope stays sealed and unread. But if anything happens to me, or to anybody else I’ve ever known or cared about, I want you to send copies of the contents of this envelope to Senator Jackson, the Elder tribunal, the Nightkind King, the governing body for the Djinn, and every gaming commission in the United States.” She cocked her head. “Actually, please make that every gaming commission for every government worldwide. I would also like for you to send it to every Elder Races and human news outlet. Would you be willing to do that?”