XIII

S tella stood in the middle of a valley with rolling hills in every direction. The setting would have been peaceful, if not for the barrenness of it all. There wasn't a speck of green in sight. In fact, the world itself was blanketed exclusively in shades of gray.

It felt vaguely familiar to Stella, and yet…

And yet…

Stella's eyes opened gradually, her dream fading out of reach as she reached full consciousness. She sat up, arms reaching skyward with a wince. The wound on her shoulder was healed, but a twinge of discomfort lingered from the attack four nights prior. Rolling her shoulder as she emerged from bed, she shuffled to the bathroom to prepare for the night ahead.

At the sight of her vanity, an illicit shiver raced across the base of her spine.

She knew it was a ridiculous reaction. The most blush-worthy portion of her time with Raphael took place on her dingy couch. But here? The way he tended to her had been downright intimate .

Stella had plenty of time to think about what they'd done.

What she'd let him do to her.

Warmth flooded her cheeks. Stella snatched up her toothbrush and waved it at her reflection. "Get a hold of yourself. You're the one who came up with this insane idea," she scolded herself. "You don't have time to overthink everything and get in your head. What's done is done." Her posture straightened as her words hardened with determination. "Irina's depending on you. They're all depending on you."

If I don't get it together soon, I'll have to resort to drastic measures.

Stella chewed on her bottom lip. She hadn't heard from Raphael since their lesson, which meant she needed to take matters into her own hands and seek him out. She planned to work her way up from the bottom of the court, which meant starting at the Styx. Even if he wasn't there, she still had a good chance of learning his whereabouts.

Drunk courtiers had loose lips after all, but that didn't mean they would give the information up easily. There was always an element of wordplay involved. An unspoken dance of hiding your true desires while still gaining the answers you sought. Stella knew she would have to be especially careful with her questions.

She didn't want people to find out about her arrangement with Raphael. It would draw too much unwanted attention.

With a grim nod to herself, Stella continued with her typical dusk-time routine. In no time she was standing in front of her closet, wrapped in a towel, skin still pink from the water's heat. She ran a critical eye over her wardrobe. Tonight's search—no, hunt —required dressing the part. She wanted to look sexy and formidable.

She also wanted to be comfortable if she was to spend the better part of her evening climbing stairs and roaming halls.

Stella squatted to survey her shoes and a smile swiftly popped onto her face. "You'll do nicely," she murmured and snagged a pair of ankle boot with thick heels.

Comfort addressed; Stella located an outfit in record time. The simple slip dress was made of sparkling fabric and came with a sheer mesh mock turtleneck overlay that gave the illusion of added coverage. If she were living outside the court, the outfit might pass as club-worthy. It would certainly be appropriate for the lower levels of the court, but perhaps not the uppermost levels… Stella began to frown but stopped.

She doubted Raphael would be above the third level. He was still a demon after all and their presence on the higher levels was nearly non-existent except for attending pit fights.

After applying some makeup and fixing her hair into soft waves, Stella examined the finished product in her mirror. "Don't let them run all over you," she told her reflection as she fussed with her hair. "Show them some of your bark and bite. Make them know you're just as much of a threat as they are—show them you belong."

Stella was proud of the steadiness of her words. Prouder still that she believed she could accomplish what she was setting out to do. She tilted up her chin. Tonight was the night she embraced the darkness that thrived within the dark court and her power. Stella swallowed down the nervous flutter of anticipation and anxiety that swarmed her stomach.

"Nothing will change if you don't choose to be the change first," Stella whispered.

A slow deep breath calmed the remaining nerves that ran rampant under her skin. It wasn't the first time she'd come to such a conclusion, it was, however, the first time she was committed to acting on it. The fact that her action was being spurred by Raphael could be overlooked—as long as she succeeded.

The Styx had already gathered a significant crowd by the time Stella went down. She'd gotten lost in her most recent book as she lingered over her simple breakfast of toast and jam, alongside a cup of lavishly milked coffee. A few cups of coffee , she corrected herself. By the time she left it was gaining on midnight. Stella slowed to a stop on the staircase as she skimmed the horns present.

Twisted horns of deep gold.

Horns rounded like a ram the color of dark bone.

Pointed horns that cut straight to the sky inlaid with veins of copper.

But none the color of oxblood that curved back.

Stella forged deeper into the gambling hall, maneuvering around bodies warm and cold while she scanned the crowd for Raphael. She was completely oblivious to the courtier barreling toward her until it was too late. Icy fingers latched around her bicep and pulled her effortlessly off course.

"We're getting a drink," Jasmine said as a way of greeting.

"Hello to you too," Stella replied dryly and tugged at her arm. Jasmine released her, still paving the way to the nearest bar. "I'd love to get a drink with you. Thanks for asking." Jasmine tossed her a flat glare over her shoulder. Stella rolled her eyes and continued to follow. Someone needs a vent session.

"Glass of B-positive," Jasmine ordered once at the bar. "And did the ouzo finally come in?" The female bartender nodded, her glassy black eyes lifeless. Stella eyed the demon of despair with trepidation. "Two shots with a little splash of water in each." Jasmine glanced at Stella as she hovered behind her. "Sit," she commanded with a wave of her hand to the stool next to her. "She's not going to bite you, and there's no way in hell I'm drinking your blood."

Stella paused with her butt halfway to the seat to frown at Jasmine. "What's wrong with my blood?"

"Bad luck."

Her frown deepened as she sank onto the stool. "I'm bad luck, or my blood is bad luck?"

"We're both bad luck." Jasmine slid one of the shot glasses to Stella as it became available. "I don't need to add to mine with yours." Jasmine lifted her shot in salute. " Yamas ."

"Yamas," Stella begrudgingly mumbled after lifting her shot in the air. The liquor made her mouth pucker and cheeks tingle. " Ugh."

"You don't like it?" Jasmine sounded surprised. "Another," she told the bartender.

"Only one," Stella clarified. The demoness nodded. "It tastes like licorice or something."

Jasmine made a little noise of delight that sounded suspiciously like a purr. "My favorite." She eyed Stella as her next shot was placed in front of her. "But not yours."

"No."

Jasmine's shoulder lifted in a careless shrug as she reached for her glass of blood. She drank half in a few messy gulps. Stella grimaced as Jasmine wiped at the dregs of blood left dripping at the corners of her mouth then licked her fingers clean.

At that moment, Stella realized Jasmine hadn't pulled her for a vent session. She was drunk.

I don't have time for this…

"It's nice you got yourself all cleaned up after letting that demon knock you around."

Jasmine gave Stella a meaningful once over, causing her to flush and glance at their demoness bartender furtively. Her face was devoid of any emotion and standing, so still Stella half-wondered if she was breathing.

"He didn't knock me around," Stella replied. "I told you what happened. Plus, I sent you a note not long after that to let you know I was fine."

Jasmine snorted. "Yeah, sure . I forgot all demons liked to play white knight in shining armor."

Out of the corner of Stella's eye, the demoness twitched ever so slightly.

"He was hardly playing white knight. He's friends with Jax. I'm friends with all the Vranas. He only helped me get to my room because he knows I'm close with them and didn't want it getting back around to Jax that he didn't help me when he could."

"Whatever." Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Are you going to get a drink or not?"

Stella sighed. "Gin and tonic," she ordered, resigning herself to pausing her search for Raphael.

"Speaking of the illustrious, oh so holier-than-thou Vranas… I heard they're in the market to expand their family."

Stella's pulse jumped. "Oh?"

"Yep," Jasmine popped her P. Her eyes, glazed from too much alcohol, sparkled with knowledge as she grinned at Stella. "Rumor has it they're going to add a few more vampyrés—"

"Wait, what?" Stella's blood ran cold.

"I know!" Jasmine exclaimed, mistaking Stella's reaction for one of commiseration. "Why anyone would want to join that household is beyond me. They're snakes ."

"You're wrong."

Jasmine barreled on with eyes beginning to bleed red. Stella pursed her lips. Definitely drunk . She only gets riled up like this when she's had too much to drink.

"Everyone knows they're plotting behind closed doors on how to eliminate the Roux and Delacroix and claim all their power for themselves. They're going to do it with Irina now that she's become some kind of new monster." Jasmine nose wrinkled. "Or maybe they'll do it with that pretentious prick, Jax—though they're probably going to give him the boot if they really do plan on taking in new vamps."

Stella stared at Jasmine in chagrin. She'd never spoken about the Vranas like this before, not when she knew how close Stella was with them. Her words felt akin to mutiny. Betrayal. It hardened Stella's heart.

Jasmine rapped on the bar top impatiently. "Another of both."

"I think you've had enough. It's not even midnight, Jasmine."

"I'm almost a century." Jasmine's heated gaze snapped to Stella. "I know how to handle myself."

Stella's mouth opened to protest, but their next round of drinks was placed unceremoniously in front of them. Her shoulders sagged as she let out a huff. She hadn't even started on her first drink. When she didn't immediately reach for the new cocktail in front of her, Jasmine bristled.

"What? Not good enough for you? I'm surprised you didn't order a glass of rhodiola."

Stella speared her with a glare, heat suffusing her cheeks. Jasmine knew she was trying to stop drinking it, which gave her pause. Maybe her earlier assessment wasn't entirely off base, and something had happened to Jasmine earlier. Her general ire while drinking wasn't typically aimed Stella's way, but rather those who treated them poorly.

"You're addicted to it, aren't you?"

Stella almost fell out of her seat at Jasmine's whispered words. She suddenly leaned halfway across the bar to invade Stella's personal space. The scent of blood, and licorice, and something sour stained her breath. Stella cringed.

"I'm not an addict." The flames dousing Stella's cheeks grew hotter at Jasmine's knowing look.

"That stuff is poison."

"I know," Stella said through gritted teeth.

"Drink too much and you'll start to hallucinate—"

"I know, Jasmine. I don't need a lecture."

"Or worse ." Jasmine straightened, and with the movement, her drunken facade faltered to one of frightening sobriety. Stella studied the transformation intently. The seed of worry Jasmine had unwittingly placed as she revealed the Vrana rumor blossoming with her ominous warning.

"What do you mean, ‘or worse'?"

"Oh, I wouldn't bother listening to any of the nonsense that comes out of this one's mouth," a smooth voice answered. Stella's head whipped to the side, surprised to see Gabriel smiling back at her. "Lost quite the pretty sum earlier to a vampyré by the name of Otto. Got caught cheating too."

"I wasn't cheating. I won my token fairly before I," Jasmine grimaced. " Lost ."

Gabriel pinned Jasmine with a sneer. The sudden change in his expression and demeanor was nothing short of whiplash. "You were." His gaze slanted meaningfully to the bartender, and he jerked his chin in Jasmine's direction pointedly.

Jasmine's reaction was immediate. A painful gasp lunged out of her as one hand clutched the bar's edge and the other, her chest. Jasmine's eyes closed with a pained whimper and a single tear dripped down her cheek.

Stella rose from her seat. A mixture of outrage and fear rioting throughout her blood stream.

"Stop," Stella demanded. "You're hurting her."

Gabriel ignored her. A feral type of enjoyment was playing out in his eyes. "You were also banned for a week," Gabriel said. " Get out , before I call Samson over to deal with you."

Jasmine glided out of her seat, legs wobbling as her feet hit the floor. Stella reached out, grasping Jasmine by the elbow to steady her. She hadn't expected the poignant power of the demoness to latch onto her in the process. At once, Stella's knees buckled as an all-consuming despair plunged her beneath a sea of sorrow.

"Enough, Morgen."

The dejected cry making its way past Stella's lips gave out halfway. She snatched her hand back, staring wide-eyed and breathless at Jasmine who took several seconds longer to compose herself.

"I wasn't banned." Jasmine stated, her pallor waxy as she attempted to level Gabriel with a glare. "I was told to leave the table."

Gabriel stepped forward encroaching in her space. He towered over Jasmine, and by the looks of it, he thoroughly enjoyed the power dynamic. It made Stella sick to her stomach.

"And now I'm telling you you're banned for a week." Gabriel glanced at Stella, his expression morphing into playful amusement… acting like she was in on some marvelous joke with him. Then he returned his attention to Jasmine. "Get. Out."

"I'd be careful how you speak to me."

Gabriel rolled his eyes and dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "I won't repeat myself." Jasmine lingered, some of her fighting spirit returning to her eyes. But then she glanced back at the bartender and a look of fear flashed over her expression. She was out of sight before Stella had time to blink.

"My apologies for that bit of ugliness." Gabriel smiled pleasantly and took Jasmine's seat. He gestured to her drinks. "Do you like your cocktails? If not, I can have Morgen removed and a new bartender put in."

"That won't be necessary, my drinks are fine."

"Then why haven't you touched them since you sat down?"

Time stilled as Stella digested his words and the cunning in his gaze. A sinister foreboding sank under her skin. "Excuse me?" His smile grew. "Were you… were you watching me?"

Dread pooled in her stomach as Gabriel adopted a coy expression. He ducked his chin and chuckled softly, but his bashful act only heightened the creeping sensation putting her nervous system on high alert.

He peeked at her, eyes sparkling with mirth. "Didn't I tell you the other night in the training room? I'm interested in getting to know you," he told her flirtatiously as he raised his head. "If Raphael hadn't so rudely interrupted—"

"He's not here now, is he?"

Stella swallowed and forced herself to relax hoping to put him at ease. This was an opportunity she couldn't pass up to learn his secret. Because the sooner she did, the sooner she could be done with him.

The sentiment was becoming all too familiar to Stella.

Gabriel's head cocked to the side at Stella's interruption, surprise hitching up both his eyebrows.

"No," Gabriel agreed. His eyes alighted with renewed interest. "He isn't."

Stella retook her seat and tensed as he swiveled to face her. There was nothing stopping him from using his full manipulation on Stella. She doubted anyone would stop him if he did.

As if reading her worry, Gabriel said, "Don't worry, I'm not using my gift. That's real chemistry between us."

Stella's eyes widened before quickly faking a smile. His hand fell to her knee, a gentle pass of his thumb eliciting a trail of goosebumps to follow in his wake. Gabriel eyed her body's reaction knowingly and looked pleased.

It took everything in Stella not to wretch up her breakfast all over him.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Gabriel's thumb swept across the side of her knee again, his nauseating smile still firmly in place. "Not having to worry about the mere touch of another sending you into hysterics or succumbing completely to desire. Thank the Gods they had the mercy to only make one half-breed mongrel like Raphael and not more.

"I feel sorry for him myself half the time being shunned for being so other. It would be better to put him out of his misery, but people around here are quite adept at ignoring all matters of logic and rationality in favor of saiting their baser wants."

"Is that so?" Stella murmured politely.

Gabriel inclined his head in a sage nod. "I wouldn't put any stock in the rumors going on about him."

Stella's gaze narrowed on the demon before her before taking the bait. "What rumors?"

"That his powers somehow surpass those of us who are whole." Gabriel squeezed her knee causing Stella's teeth to grind. "I can provide a demonstration if you'd like. Show you what a real demon can do."

"No, thank you."

Stella knew in an instant she answered too quickly for he couldn't quite mask the flash of outrage that rippled over his expression. It was there one moment and gone the next, but the shadows of it lingered in his eyes. Gabriel smirked to cover his faux pas, then swiveled to face the bar.

"Vesper martini, Morgen."

A stiff silence sat between them that Stella was happy to entertain. She needed to get her wits about her if she wanted that secret.

"Word of advice, Stella," Gabriel said as he took his martini. A twist of lemon peel clung to the rim as he sipped his drink. "Don't trust Raphael. He'd sooner cut your throat than show any real interest in you."

Stella folded her hands in her lap to keep them from fidgeting. "I think you have the wrong idea about us. There's nothing there. We're not even friends."

"Of course, of course," Gabriel purred readily, though the look he spared her didn't offer the same assurance. "Be that as it may, if Raphael were to show any interest in you, it's more than likely because he wants something from you."

Already primed with worry and a touch of self-doubt from Jasmine, the barb hit its mark. It's you who's using him , not the other way around , Stella reminded herself as she took a drink of her gin and tonic. Gabriel's lips quirked in a half-smile as he side-eyed her, and then he stiffened. The half-smile he wore slamming down into a frown.

"Of course, I want something from the beautiful, Stella. Her time." Stella's attention jerked in Raphael's direction, her lips forming a small O at his timely appearance. "I apologize for interrupting what was surely a riveting discussion, but I'm in need of our resident banshee. Or rather, the Vranas are."

Raphael picked up Stella's hand and brought it to his lips. The kiss was little more than a whisper of breath, and yet, Stella couldn't deny her body's reaction or the memory of their last encounter storming her mind. She inhaled sharply, knowing full well she couldn't hope to stop the blush that rose to her face. Stella averted her eyes, though she didn't make a move to remove her hand from his light hold.

"She's not interested in being submitted to your perverse manipulations." Gabriel didn't bother to keep the heat out of his voice as he spun to face Raphael. He snatched up Stella's other hand, leaving each hand awkwardly in possession of either demon. "I'll have you know we were enjoying getting to know one another and pursuing a mutual attraction."

Raphael raised both eyebrows at Gabriel's confident claim, and in the next instance, Stella was clenching her thighs together as a low moan shuddered out of her. Arousal flooded her body like a raging rapid, drenching her panties and blowing every thought from her mind. Stella sagged and with what sensibility remained, tried weakly to remove her hand from Gabriel.

He made no attempt to acknowledge his assault on her senses. "Isn't that right, Stella, dear?"

She whimpered as another wave of desire pummeled her.

"You never were prone to patience," Raphael tossed out casually, steadying Stella as she swayed. She leaned into his touch and relished in the way soft leather tightened around her hand. "And such a heavy hand." Raphael tsked and shook his head. "You'd think you'd have learned by now that such a show of force doesn't bode well for—what was it you said, ‘pursuing a mutual attraction'?"

The onslaught on her senses came to a sudden stop as the shattering of glass—multiple glasses—shifted the attention of everyone within a ten-foot radius of Morgen. Tears trickled down her placid face as she stared at the mess of glass at her feet.

"You idiot!" Gabriel seethed as he jumped up and raced around the bar to inspect the mess.

"I believe that's our cue, love," Raphael whispered in her ear.

Stella blinked dazedly about as her body rapidly cooled. A soft squeeze to her fingertips pulled her focus together.

"Shall we?"

Her eyes rose to meet Raphael's as Gabriel's yelling continued. "Where are we going?" Stella asked after clearing her throat.

Raphael smirked. "The Vranas. I'm to escort you. A small favor for Jax."

Stella's gaze drifted back to their hands, slowly becoming aware of those who watched their exchange and most likely watched her get swept away by Gabriel's manipulation. She rolled her shoulders back and slipped off her seat, keeping her hand in Raphael's. "Lead the way."