Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Dimitri

Dinner and stilted, polite conversation with Louise and Augustus were no longer on the agenda.

I drummed my fingers on the tablecloth, eyeing the others with thinly veiled boredom. Just as I contemplated some convenient excuse to abandon this dreadful affair, Louise leaned in close, her eyes wide with urgency.

"Dimitri," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Please, I'm begging you. Don't try to seduce Gianna at my birthday party."

I turned to her, arching an eyebrow. "Why, Louise, you wound me. Can't a man simply enjoy a party without ulterior motives?"

Her face fell, a mix of desperation and exasperation etched in her features. "I mean it, Dimitri. This is important. Promise me you'll behave."

I smirked, eyeing the exit. This tedious soiree had outlived its entertainment value. But before I could make my grand escape, Louise reached out and clasped my hand.

Her hand and her lower lip were both trembling. I sighed dramatically, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll be on my best behavior. Scout's honor. Why are you so protective of this spoiled princess?"

She hurriedly wiped a tear off her cheek. "Listen to me, Dimitri. You have no idea what Gianna's been through."

I barked out a harsh, bitter laugh and threw my head back, my eyes rolling skyward. "Oh, I'm sure it's a beyond tragic tale. What, did she break a nail while fleeing from the big bad wolves?"

"Dimitri…" Valentin warned, his voice low and stern. I ignored him, my blood simmering. I was getting tired of this interrogation.

"No, a wolf pack attacked and almost killed her," Augustus said from his seat next to Louise, whose lower lip was still trembling, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

A jolt of alarm rushed through me, though it was quickly masked by my trademark smirk. "Well, isn't that just a lovely parting gift from the Big Easy?" I drawled, but my eyes narrowed slightly.

"So, big brother Angelo shipped her off to witch central for some R&R since he couldn't protect her?" I continued, my tone deceptively light. "How considerate. Protecting his own ass. Nothing says get well soon like a change of scenery and a few spells."

I leaned forward, my voice lowering dangerously. "That never should have happened. What kind of idiotic wolves attack the vampire mafia princess? And where were her guards? Don't tell me she was wandering around unprotected."

Augustus shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "She…snuck out of her bedroom window and met her friends at a bar. Angelo believes she was attacked to get to him." His voice was grave.

I scoffed, barely containing my anger. "Brilliant. A royal with no common sense and guards who can't do their job. If I had been there, she wouldn't have made it two steps without an escort. Those mutts would be decorating the bayou by now."

Louise reached across the table, her eyes pleading. "Dimitri, Angelo practically keeps her locked up in a tower. She wanted to just a little freedom. Don't chastise her."

I sat back, jaw clenched. "Fine. But this conversation isn't over. Someone's going to answer for this stupidity."

Augustus crossed his arms. "Dimitri, Angelo is not going to leave any stone unturned in finding who did this to his sister."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," I drawled, swirling the bourbon in my glass. "But tell me, did anyone bother to teach this girl the basics? Like, oh, I don't know, not wandering into dark alleys in a city full of werewolves?"

Valentin gave me a direct stare. "Dimitri, please don't start anything with Angelo Santi. You don't want to be taken to his secret room in Crimson Stakes."

Crimson Stakes was a casino on Bourbon Street, owned and operated by the Santi mafia. Rumor had it that Angelo had a hidden room where he took his enemies and they were never to be seen again. Well, maybe in bits and pieces, but no one came out in one piece.

I lifted an eyebrow, my lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Ah, Angelo's charming little timeout corner. How thoughtful of him to provide free underground accommodations. I'm touched, really."

I leaned back in my chair, offering a mock salute with my glass. "Relax, I'm not looking to become Angelo's latest vanishing act. But don't be surprised if I decide to give our new guest a proper welcome...and maybe a much-needed lesson in self-preservation. After all, someone needs to teach her how to navigate this shark tank of a city without big brother's constant hovering."

Augustus sat taller in his chair. "Angelo has asked Louise and I to protect her."

I couldn't help but let out a low, sardonic chuckle. "Oh, well that changes everything. I'm sure the big bad wolves will turn tail and run at the sight of you two lovebirds."

I leaned forward, my eyes glinting with mock seriousness. "Tell me, Augustus, does your magical protection package include eyes in the back of your head? Because last I checked, Angelo's oh-so-fearsome reputation didn't exactly keep little sis out of harm's way."

Taking a sip from my glass, I continued, "But hey, who am I to question the brilliant strategy of trading a vampire mafia king's protection for...what exactly? A couple of witches and a hope and a prayer? I'm sure that'll work out just fine."

Augustus gave me an evil glare. "Angelo wouldn't have sent her here if he didn't think we could keep her safe. And she does have a bodyguard."

My smirk returned, but there was less bite to it now. "If he's asked Petar to be her bodyguard, then you have your work cut out for you." I paused, my expression growing serious. "Is she okay?"

Louise took another sip of her wine then sighed. "She survived, but according to Angelo, her body is badly bruised and scratched, and she's pretty shaken."

I set my glass down, my smirk fading slightly. "Survived a werewolf attack with just bruises and scratches? Well, color me impressed. Girl's tougher than I thought."

Leaning forward, I fixed Louise with a steady gaze, my voice losing some of its usual sarcastic edge. "And she's pretty shaken, you say? Can't blame her. Wolf shifter attacks aren't exactly a walk in the park."

Louise sniffed and wiped a tear off her cheek.

I drummed my fingers on the table, a hint of tension in my jaw. "Look, as much as I hate to admit it, she's going to need more than just physical healing. Trust me, the mental scars...they tend to linger."

Then, unable to resist, I gave her flippant smile. "Though I suppose that's where your witchy woo- woo comes in handy, right? Nothing a few healing spells and a stiff drink can't fix."

Louise and Augustus gave each other a knowing glance. Maybe I had hit on something, but obviously they weren't going to share with the class.

"What's with the secret society looks?" I drawled, my tone deceptively casual.

Louise grabbed her glass of wine as if trying to avoid answering my question.

August clasped her shaking hand. "Angelo trusts Petar and?—"

I leaned in, my eyes narrowing as I fixed Augustus with a sardonic smile. "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to bring my ‘Trust Petar Dragan' badge to the party. Tell me, Augustus, did you get yours in the mail, or is blind faith just part of the witch starter pack these days?"

Augustus sat taller in his chair then clasped Louise's shaking hand. "Angelo trusts Petar and?—"

I scoffed, my lips twisting into a bitter smile. "Oh, well if Angelo trusts him, then by all means, let's roll out the red carpet."

Louise dragged her fingers through her hair. "Dimitri, you're not giving Angelo a chance. He wouldn't do anything to put his sister in danger."

My jaw clenched as I fought to control my rising temper. "Wow, it's like a broken record in here," I snapped, locking eyes with Augustus. "Let me spell it out for you: Anyone who sides with Petar Dragan is automatically my enemy. Or is that too complicated for your magical little minds? "

Louise put her glass down, her words tumbling out. "Gianna doesn't get to choose who her bodyguard is. Angelo does. There has to be a reason why he chose Petar."

I laughed humorlessly, the sound harsh and grating even to my own ears. "Oh, there's a reason alright. It's called monumental stupidity." I got up from seat, my hands clenching into fists. "But hey, who am I to stand in the way of such a brilliant plan? By all means, hand her over to the wolf in sheep's clothing. I'm sure that'll end well."

No one stopped me as I headed out the door, every nerve tensed. I jumped into my black Chevy Camaro parked in the faculty parking lot, the engine roaring to life as I turned the key. I glanced up to see Valentin glaring down at me, shaking his head. I saluted him sarcastically, a smirk tugging at my lips before I sped away, the tires screeching on the pavement.

I called Rocco Palazzo, King Nico's son and a friend of Rose and Valentin. He answered on the first ring, his voice cheerful. "Hey, Dimitri, long time no talk. How's it going up in witchy town?"

I scoffed, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel. "Oh, just peachy. I hear my dad joined the opposite team. What's the scoop down there?"

He sighed, the sound heavy with concern. "Not so good, actually. Angelo's magic Aeternum Stone is flickering out, and it's not just his. The wolves' and the Dark Fae's stones are threatening to go dark too. A war's brewing."

A flicker of unease jetted around in my gut, but I pushed it aside.

"No one's happy that Angelo saved your dad at Lumina Glade, frankly," Rocco continued. "But then again, Angelo has never cared much for other people's opinion. Why do you ask anyway?"

"Didn't you hear? Petar and his little protégé, Gianna Santi, are gracing us with their presence at Louise's birthday bash. You know, the same Gianna who nearly got turned into a chew toy by a pack of wolves," I said, barely concealing the rage simmering beneath the surface.

He whistled over the phone, the sound sharp and surprised. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious. Anything else you know?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.

"My dad mentioned that Angelo has been buying up magical items like crazy."

I frowned as I put the pieces together. "To try and save the stone?"

"Possibly. Your guess is as good as mine there. I bet the high priestess has something Angelo wants and he sent Petar to get it, using Louise's birthday party as an excuse for the trip."

I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "I thought Angelo had more sense than that. You can't trust my dad. He's slipperier than an electric eel."

"Angelo's as shrewd as he is powerful, Dimitri. Not much gets past him. Anyone who crosses him ends up at the pearly gates. I don't know if Petar had anything to do with what happened to Gianna. If he did, he's walking a tightrope. I can guarantee you, Angelo will find out who hurt Gianna and he'll kill them…nice and sl ow."

A flare of rage gripped me at the thought. I clenched my jaw as I fought back the urge to lash out. Angelo's victims were lucky if they died quick and fast. He was the last one I would want to cross, but my dad always liked to poke the water moccasin, and his reckless nature was bound to get him into trouble sooner or later.

But if he came up here for any other reason than protecting the princess or getting some magical object, he'd have to deal with me first. And trust me, that was not a conversation he wanted to have. I smirked, already looking forward to the inevitable showdown. Dear old dad had no idea what he was walking into, but I'd be more than happy to give him a reality check—Dimitri Dragan style.