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“You know that as well as I do. For once in your life, trust me, Guy. You owe me that much. Swear that she won’t be hurt.”
    “Hell’s balls, little brother, you’ll be the death of both of us.” But he reached under the neck of his tunic and pulled out the heavy silver cross he wore. “All right. I swear in the name of God not to hurt the girl or let anyone else do so. Does that satisfy you?”
    I nodded curtly, relief and guilt mixing uneasily in my stomach. “Yes.”

     
    I woke when Ricco threw open the door to my room with enough force to make it crack against the wall. I bolted upright, hand flying to my hip automatically. Where my dagger wasn’t. Ice water flowed down my spine as the events of the previous night flooded back.
    “Had an interesting night, did you?” Ricco said with a nasty smirk.
    Hells. Ricco being smug meant the conniving bastard thought he had the upper hand. Which probably meant that somehow he—and Lucius—knew I hadn’t killed Simon.
    “You didn’t tell me he was a sunmage.” I rolled to my feet. I’d slept in my hunting clothes. They were rumpled and sweaty but far preferable to facing Ricco in a nightgown. I’d known I’d be summoned sooner rather than later.
    Another smirk. “I didn’t know.”
    Either he was lying or Lucius was playing games and Ricco was confident that the play was in his favor. Hells upon hells.
    Of all the Blood who formed Lucius’ inner circle, Ricco was the worst. Even by Blood standards he was vicious.
    We existed in a state of perpetual mutual loathing. It was safest never to let him see any fear. Thankfully, his lack of restraint when it came to his temper meant that he would likely never rise as high in the Court as he aspired. Lucius never minded viciousness in his lieutenants, but he expected it to be accompanied by intelligence and control.
    Still, Ricco was dangerous, like a half-trained attack dog. I smiled coolly at him. “I guess we’ll see what Lucius has to say about that.”
    His smug expression didn’t change. “I guess we will. He wants you. Now.”
    Cool fear swept through me. Hells. I didn’t want to face Lucius. Not yet. But now meant now . And if Ricco’s pleasure was anything to go by, Lucius was unhappy with me. I glanced down at my clothes. I was in no way dressed for the hall. Lucius indulged my preference for trousers over the formal dresses of the Blood, but I was still expected to look presentable. So, did I choose informality over the risk of angering him with a further delay while I changed?
    My gut said faster was safer. I ran a hand over my braids. Redone in haste during my ’cab ride back to the warrens—the last thing I needed was anyone wondering why my hair was loose—they were, at least, intact, if less elaborate than my usual style. It would have to be enough. “Let’s go,” I said to Ricco.
     
     
    Despite my efforts to appear calm, my knees shook as Ricco half pulled me through the corridors of the warrens, my feet skidding on the worn flagstones. When he headed upward toward the public levels of the Court’s mansion, my stomach turned uneasily.
    At least he let go of me as we left the lower warrens. Protocol dictated that I walk alone in public, afforded the same courtesy as the Blood themselves. When he led the way to the hall, I cursed under my breath, wishing desperately to be elsewhere.
    I’d hoped for Lucius’ office, but I should have known better. When truly furious, Lucius rarely administered a punishment in private.
    He preferred the added humiliation of an audience.
    But the tremors in my legs weren’t all fear. No. With every step I took closer to Lucius, the need was coming in too. Calling me with its hated song. Maybe I should have goaded Simon into killing me. It might have been easier.
    An end to this life. And a way of ensuring that he would never see me as I really was rather than whatever idealized picture had fueled the warmth in his eyes as he’d told me not to go.
    No