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a lot of favor trading, and he needs to let people know just what he’s packing. I’m one of the biggest assets he has, or had. He took me out a few times a month to show me off.”
    “And why didn’t you just escape? Climb out a window or something?”
    Something in Cassie’s expression hardened.
    “I did, the second time he took me out. I slipped out of a VIP room and ran back to my parents.”
    “And he kidnapped you again, under your parents’ noses?” Gabriel asked, bewildered. Surely a witch as strong as Cassie had come from two powerful magicians, strong enough to protect their child from harm.
    Cassie gave a cold laugh, tossing her hair back. She pushed up one of her sleeves, showing Gabriel hundreds of intricate white scars at her wrists and inner elbow.
    “Who do you think sold me to him in the first place? Worse, actually. They sold me before I could access my full powers. They thought I was weak, so they sold me to a vampire in the Gray Market. Before I was the Oracle, I was a blood slave.”
    Ice wrapped around Gabriel’s heart, freezing him solid inside. His fists clenched at the very thought. Some blood donors were well treated and lived long lives, but the shadier Vampire entrepreneurs let clients use enslaved donors up in a few short years before turning them out onto the streets to live short, pathetic lives, their strength and intellect gone.
    “How old were you?” he asked, barely getting the words out through his clenched jaw.
    “Fifteen.” Cassie pushed her sleeve back down and gave Gabriel a hard look. “If you keep looking at me like that, that fucking pity, I will punch you right in your pretty face.”
    “It’s just… a lot to process. I’m trying not to lose my temper,” Gabriel admitted.
    Cassie sneered at him, an angry blush mottling her pale cheeks.
    “Well, I’m so sorry your so-called mate is used goods. Fate must think she’s funny, pairing me with Mr. Perfect. It’s not like I had any choice in what happened,” she said, her teeth bared.
    “Cass,” Gabriel groaned. She made to turn away, and he grabbed her to haul her up against her body. “Look at me. I would never, ever think that. And I’m not perfect, far from it.”
    Cassie looked up at him, stiff in his arms, her big gray eyes luminous with unshed tears.
    “Let me go,” she whispered, her gaze locked with his.
    “Not until you listen,” he said, leaning down to brush his lips over hers. Her scent overran him, spicy-sweet cinnamon; the press of her stomach and chest to his made his cock twitch with renewed interest.
    Cassie stared up at him, uncertainty ruling her expression. Gabriel gave her a slow, deep kiss, releasing her lips with reluctance.
    “Your past means nothing to me. Tell me you believe me,” Gabriel said, keeping his demand soft.
    Cassie bit her lip and nodded, bringing her hands up to his chest to gently push him away. When she’d put a few inches between them, she drew in a deep breath.
    “I’m not a delicate flower, Gabriel.”
    He couldn’t help but love the sound of his name on her lips.
    “You’re stronger than most, I would guess.”
    “Yes,” she said, adjusting the sleeves of her blouse again. “And I’m going to Bellocq with you. I understand that you’re not ready for a mate. I might not be, either. But you’re going to have to accept my help to find the other girls.”
    After a long moment, Gabriel could only nod.
    “Alright,” he said, reaching out and taking her hand again. When she didn’t resist his touch, he pulled her to his side and walked her back to the car, knowing full well that he’d just agreed to something very difficult indeed. “We can’t go tonight, anyhow. It’s the new moon, so none of the Vampires are out and about. They’re off doing whatever secret things they do together in their little covens.”
    “Guess we’ll have to find a way to pass the time,” Cassie said, pursing her lips. “Do you play chess, by chance?”
    He suppressed