“I’ll be back in a bit. Keep an eye on Lilith?”

Octavian nodded. “With pleasure.”

Tatiana walked through the suite to Daciana’s side. “Settling in?”

Daci turned from directing her maid and smiled. “I was just coming to see you. Lovely rooms, don’t you agree?”

“I do. Care to walk down to inspect the comar’s quarters with me? I’d like to make sure he’s properly secured. I will not abide any stupidity on his part. Not here.”

Daci clapped her hands. “I’d love to. You know, it’s so good of you to share him with me the way you have been. Now that I’m Elder, I’ve decided it’s time to get my own. Maybe while we’re here in achtice.”

Tatiana nodded. “I can’t think of a better souvenir.”

They laughed as they made their way toward the comar’s space. Alone in the hall, Tatiana hooked her arm in Daci’s and pulled her closer. With a quiet voice, she said, “There are eyes and ears everywhere. We must be vigilant.”

Daci’s pale brows lifted. “You think someone would make another attempt on Lilith after what happened with Svetla?”

“No. I fear now that they will come after you or Octavian in an effort to weaken what we have created. I just need you to be vigilant at all times.”

With a sincere nod, Daci answered, “Absolutely.”

“That’s all I ask.” Tatiana hesitated as the hall forked. A servant came toward them from the left. “You there. Which way to the rooms where the comarré are being kept?”

“Back that way, my lady.” He pointed in the direction from which he’d come. “You’ll come to a set of locked double doors. The guard will let you through.”

The servant passed and Tatiana and Daci exchanged a look.

“Locked doors and a guard?” Tatiana laughed softly. “Syler really isn’t taking any chances, is he? I think it’s safe to say Damian won’t have an opportunity to misbehave.” She tipped her head at Daci. “Were you serious about buying your own comar?”

“Completely.”

“How about a trip to the Primoris Domus right now?”

Silver brightened Daci’s eyes. “I’d love that.”

“Wonderful. Let’s find Syler and have him arrange it this instant.” Tatiana stifled the laugh building inside her. How perfect. Acquiring a comar for Daci would give Tatiana an alternate blood supply should something unfortunate befall Damian here in achtice.

Chapter Thirty-One

As Doc zipped up his jeans, Fi floated through the bedroom wall of the penthouse. He jumped back. “Holy hell, you scared the devil out of me.”

She materialized, dropped to the floor, and crossed her arms. “Somehow I doubt that.” She looked around the room like it was the first time she’d seen it. Something told him that wasn’t the case.

He’d thought finding Fi would be the hard part of getting her ready for the fight with Heaven, but apparently he was wrong. Seemed his ability to predict her actions was getting less accurate every day. “I’m sure you’re here because you know Heaven isn’t.”

She shrugged, still not making eye contact. “Yeah, I know. I saw her get into that big limo downstairs. Must be a shoe sale somewhere.” She frowned at the bed and finally glanced at him. “I need to tell you something.”

“I already know what it is.” He sat on the bed and picked his words carefully. Doing something to send Fi running again would be a bad thing.

She shoved a bunch of Heaven’s stuff to one side of the dressing table and plopped down on it. “I kinda figured. I was hoping to tell you myself.”

“Council filled me in as soon as I got here.”

Her face screwed up into a question. “The council told you I was sorry about what I said to you at Chrysabelle’s?”

“No, they—”

“Because I am really sorry.” She hopped off the dressing table. “You know I have a little temper sometimes and this whole thing with Heaven is making me crazy.” She walked to the windows and stared out. “Doesn’t change the way I feel about you sleeping with her.” She turned back to him. “I can’t get past that. I just can’t.”

“I’m not sleeping with her.”

“I mean to get her pregnant.”

“That why you got her to challenge you to a fight?”

Fi rubbed her nose, then scratched a spot on her head. “Yes.” She sighed. “It was a stupid thing to do.”

He nodded. “At last, something we both agree on.”

“Well, what was I supposed to do? Let her have you?”

“Dammit, Fi, she’s not going to—” He stopped, forced himself to lower his voice. “She’s never going to have me, baby.”

Fi looked away, her eyes suddenly big and liquid. “She’s going to kill me, isn’t she?”

“No.” He stood up. “Hell no.” He went over and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see.” He pulled her along into the living room. “Isaiah!”

The butler hurried out from the kitchen. “Yes, Maddoc?”

“Get Omur and Barasa to the arena, then tell security no one else is allowed in.”

“Yes, sir.” Isaiah went for the phone as Doc punched the elevator button.