I slept fitfully the rest of the day, terrified that Grayson would come in and accuse me of the treachery I was guilty of, and haunted by the memory given to me just hours earlier.

I was unable to get to sleep for a long time. My neck was burning, and my sex was pulsing with a need that only he could satisfy.

Such warring emotions—terror and desire—and neither would leave me alone.

When sleep finally claimed me, it wasn’t much better.

I was tormented by dreams that alternated between Grayson hauling me away for execution and coming to my bed to finish what he’d begun in that vampire’s room.

It was high time I admitted that I wanted him, but I didn’t know what to do with that information.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to worry about it just now.

As soon as night came, Grayson had slipped out of the castle, promising me that he was going to ensure our safety once and for all.

He was hunting me.

Little did he know that I was right here, with blood on my hands, waiting for him to condemn me.

But I wasn’t going to wait around any longer. I couldn’t handle being idle in his absence.

I couldn’t face the fact that his absence was driving me insane and that all I wanted was for him to come back and wrap his arms around me again.

But he didn’t know it was me he’d held. That it was me who’d acted so brazenly.

My cheeks flushed at the memory.

What had come over me? I’d never behaved like that before, had never been so wanton in my life.

He’d awakened a need inside of me that I couldn’t fight, not that I wanted to. In that moment, all I’d wanted was his lips on mine and the pleasure I knew he could bring me.

It felt likes ages ago that I’d stood outside the brothel, wondering at the acts being performed inside and not understanding how anyone could enjoy the violent sounds of flesh slapping against flesh, but I was beginning to understand.

And the hollow feeling inside me told me that I wanted Grayson to be my teacher.

I shook my head, clenching my eyes tight as I fought to send away those thoughts.

I was going out, although it was dangerous to be on the streets while Grayson was hunting me. The temptation, the danger, called to me. The thrill of knowing that at any moment, Grayson could catch me out on the streets, was too tempting.

What would he do? Could I distract him as I’d done last night?

I caught myself smiling and instantly soured into a frown. Those thoughts were inappropriate and had no place in my life.

Besides, there was only so far I could go with him as the hunter who tormented his people. The moment he unmasked me, it would all be over.

But I couldn’t let this opportunity go. Grayson was gone, which meant I didn’t have to worry about anyone looking for me. I could go find Conall and tell him that my position was secure, that we could move on with whatever plan he had.

He had to be growing impatient, and I couldn’t put it off any longer.

I slipped into my hunter’s outfit and clambered out the window as silently as I could, checking my senses to make sure no one was inside the suite connected to the balcony below before I dropped down onto it.

I continued that way until I reached the ground, and then I slunk into the tree line, keeping my eyes on the castle as long as I dared to make sure that no one spotted me.

Satisfied that I was safe, I raced through the trees until I came to the outskirts of the city.

There was pure joy in the act of running wild through the world at night, knowing that it was mine to hold for a little while. It was moments like this that I was truly free to be myself, without worrying what anyone thought of what I was doing.

My whole life, I’d had to watch every movement I made. I had to be careful what others thought of me, but when I was alone, I could enjoy the freedom of existing.

I doubted anyone else felt like I did about running through a silent city. It was my own little treasure to enjoy as I wanted.

It didn’t take long to reach the compound, and at no point during the trip did I sense a vampire anywhere around me. I was certain that Grayson was the only vampire out right now—the rest of them would be too preoccupied with the vampire I’d killed the day before.

I knocked twice on the compound’s door, and a wolf let me in.

A raised eyebrow was his only greeting for me, but I didn’t waste time wondering about that. A month ago, maybe I’d have angsted over the cold shoulder, but I didn’t care anymore.

I had friends among the thralls, and I had companionship with Grayson.

I didn’t need a bunch of wolves to be kind to me.

The compound was as easy to navigate as I remembered, and I reached Conall’s office in no time.

“Nina,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re back.”

I grinned at him. “I am.”

“And do you have news for me?”

“My position in the castle is secure,” I said. “No one suspects me.”

He didn’t return my smile. I don’t know why I’d thought he might. I should have been used to his lack of emotion by now.

“And you’re certain of that?”

“Of course.”

“There’s no reason to suspect that they might have an inkling of something being...wrong? No mysterious killings?”

My heart sank. I’d really hoped that he hadn’t heard about that. I’d known he wouldn’t approve.

“I did tell you not to hunt while you were infiltrating the court, did I not?”

I hung my head, only because I knew it was what he wanted. He wanted me to be ashamed for disobeying him, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel that. If I felt anything about the killings, it was guilt for betraying Grayson the way I had.

He deserved better than the way I’d treated him.

God, where did that thought come from?

“I’m sorry,” I said, forcing myself to pay attention. “I couldn’t stand by and watch as they hurt innocents. It was too much.”

“You will learn better control in the future.”

I nodded.

“Good. Now, tell me everything you’ve learned.”

I gave him a rundown of the castle: its entrances, the weaknesses where there were few guards, the habits of the vampires who lived there. I told him everything I knew, not holding anything back.

There would be no point in that. He’d know if I was lying, so it would be a waste of time.

At last, he nodded, satisfied that I’d told him everything I could. “Good. You may return.”

I frowned. “You don’t have anything you want me to do?”

“Not at this moment. I will inform you if that changes.”

I knew better than to press the issue. If he decided the conversation was over, then that was that, and I needed to leave it alone.

He gave me a look that clearly communicated that it was time for me to leave, so I got out of there and headed out of the compound. No one said a word to me on the way out, though I passed several wolves getting ready for the hunt tonight.

Ah, well. That was business as usual.

I almost wasn’t looking forward to coming back. I’d miss the camaraderie I’d found in the castle, that was for sure.

My mind kept wanting to drift back to that on my way back to the castle, but I forced the thoughts aside. There was no point ruminating on that any more than I already had. I was going to come back to the compound, and that was that.

I didn’t belong in the castle. I was a spy. That was all I was.

I slipped back into our suite and then into my room without anyone noticing me, and quickly changed out of my gear and into my thrall dress. I checked myself in the mirror to make sure I looked all right, then made my way down to the castle entrance.

In a reflection of what had happened at the compound, no one spoke to me as I walked the halls of the castle.

But it was different this time. It was out of respect for my position, I could feel that, not because they loathed me or were afraid of me. In fact, a few of them gave me a fond look or two.

By the time I reached the entrance, I felt warm again.

That sense of belonging returned, troublesome though it was.

I don’t belong here. I don’t belong with these people. They aren’t my people.

I kept telling myself that, but for some reason it rang false.

There was no reason for me to wait at the castle doors for Grayson to come back. I could just as well wait in the suite for him, but it had been a long night and, damn it, I missed him.

I wanted him to come back, and I wanted to be the first person who greeted him.

So, I waited for him.

“Nina.” Paul, a vampire who was friends with Grayson, came up to me. “What are you doing out here?”

“Waiting for Grayson,” I said, smiling. Paul had been kind to me on more than one occasion. Whether it was genuine or he did it because I was Grayson’s thrall, I didn’t know. But I appreciated it.

“Ah. You might be waiting a while.”

“Oh?”

“He’s notorious for staying out the whole night when he’s on these hunts, you know.”

I frowned, a little disappointed. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Yeah. He likes the city, for some reason. I can’t understand it, myself.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? He likes the city?”

“I suppose I should amend that. He likes to run in the city. But don’t tell anyone I told you, all right?” He winked at me. “You’re the only person we can talk so openly with, and I’d hate to ruin that.”

I grinned at him. Somehow, I’d inspired this kind of treatment from the other vampires. Little things, a comment here or there, but some of them opened up to me when we were alone.

I liked to think I was having a positive effect on them, helping them to communicate in a healthier fashion.

He likes to run in the city.

What he’d said hit home for me, and I realized the weight of it. Grayson liked to run.

My mouth went dry as I felt a hope blossom inside me. Did he like it because of the freedom it provided? He didn’t get a lot of opportunities to be alone, to be himself, and free. Out in the city, with a friend or two, he might be able to be himself.

What if we went running together?

But no, that was a ludicrous notion. I couldn’t possibly keep up with him, and besides, I was a simple little thrall. Afraid of all the big bad things that went bump in the night.

He couldn’t ever know that I enjoyed the thrill of the night as well.

“I’ll keep it a secret,” I said.

“Good. Well, have fun waiting for him. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Paul left me alone to keep waiting for Grayson. It was a long wait, just as Paul had predicted, but at last Grayson came walking up the steps.

When our eyes met, a giant grin spread across his face, and I felt an answering one on my own lips. It wasn’t even something I had to think about, a reaction that a good little thrall would have that I should have made myself perform—it happened of its own accord.

When had I reached the point where I was happy to see him?

I didn’t know. And I wasn’t sure I liked that.

“Nina,” he said, his voice low and husky. He stood close to me but didn’t touch me.

That damned vow of his.

I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my cheek against his chest. He stiffened, then held me close. There was a rumbling sound in his chest that sounded suspiciously like a cat’s purr.

I giggled. “Are you purring?”

“Hush,” he said, but I could hear the laughter in his voice. “Kings don’t purr.”

He’s happy to see me.

The thought warmed me, and I tilted my head back to look up at him.

Maybe I’ll let him kiss me...just this once...

The moment felt right for it. Everything in me told me that I should lift myself up on tiptoe, brush my lips against his…

A roar split through the previously silent night, ending any romantic notions I might have had.

I had barely a second to look at Grayson in horror before he spun around, one arm still around me to hold me back behind him.

To protect me.

What was happening?

“What the fuck is that?” His words were so soft that no one else would have heard him, but I did.

I peeked out from behind him. Just down the curved driveway was a...a creature.

It was standing on its hind legs, and it was covered with fur. Wicked claws glimmered in the moonlight, and it bared its fangs before letting loose a howl.

Cold inched down my spine.

I knew I was looking at an abomination. This was something that was absolutely wrong in every sense of the world, something that never should have existed.

Not vampire, not werewolf, and not human.

I didn’t know what it was, but everything inside me told me to destroy it. I felt myself reaching for my magic instinctually, and barely managed to stop myself.

I was going to have to let Grayson handle this. I had to play the part of the pathetic damsel, otherwise my cover would be blown.

As if something had snapped in the two of them, Grayson and the creature charged at one another. The creature let out another roar, but Grayson remained silent.

They clashed together, fangs glinting in the light as they slashed at one another.

Grayson tore out a chunk of the creature’s shoulder, and the creature in turn shredded through Grayson’s clothing and opened wounds on his back.

My gut clenched.

This couldn’t be happening.

Everything inside me told me to engage, to join the fray and destroy the creature that was threatening my man.

My man. I didn’t just think that.

So not the time to think about any of that.

They were a tangle of limbs. I could barely make out what was happening, but the next thing I knew, Grayson was on the ground. The creature had one foot on his chest and was pulling back with one arm.

To deliver the killing blow.

“No!” I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat and leaving it raw. I reached out with both hands, seized the creature with my magic and slammed it into the ground.

I rent it in two, tearing it to pieces with the magic inside me, so furious was I that anyone or anything would dare to hurt Grayson.

The need to protect him was so strong. I couldn’t fight it.

I panted, my eyes still locked on the creature, making sure it didn’t get back up.

It couldn’t. It was literally split in two. But I had to make sure.

It was only when I was certain that I turned to look at Grayson to make sure he was all right.

My heart sank.

The venom in his eyes promised death.