Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

Ana

A fter we get dressed, Selina takes my hand. "I hope our spa day helped, at least a little." Her eyebrows draw together. "You still seem tense."

I try to smile, but my expression feels strained, false, and it's only offered to reassure her that her spa day suggestion was a good one. I genuinely appreciate her efforts, and it did help me escape reality, briefly, even if it didn't lift the heavy weight on my heart. A weight that's only become heavier the more and more I let myself face the truth.

Is Phil really gone? Even as I let it sink in, I can't bring myself to tell her.

"Why don't you join us for dinner?" she asks. "Bring the men. Rock is doing a roast. He and Colton need to eat food," she adds, reminding me that two of her four mates aren't vampires—one a human and one a half giant. "Family dinners are a regular thing for us."

"Thanks, but I need some time alone." I don't think anything could make me feel better right now.

One of the spa attendants opens the exit door for us, and hand in hand, Selina and I step into the hallway. Blade and Flame are standing opposite the door, both leaning back with one foot against the wall, and the pair of them like that is just about the sexiest thing I've ever seen. Pushing off the wall, they step forward. My hand squeezes Selina's, and she pulls me closer toward her.

"We need to talk," Blade says. "It's important."

"Whatever it is, will have to wait," I say sharply. "I have other plans. I've been invited to dinner." I turn toward Selina, now glad to have an easy excuse to avoid speaking to these men while I'm still fuming inside. As angry as I am with Blade and Flame, at least they had the good sense to come find me, without bringing Crusher. With any luck, he's had the good sense to leave the palace. If he hasn't, I'll have him removed.

"It's crucial and time sensitive." Blade runs his hand over his head, looking at me with so much pain in his eyes I almost crumble. My anger at Blade and Flame is already melting in my chest. They were only covering for Crusher. Crusher is the one who killed Timur. He's the one who used them to cover up his crime. He's the one who asked them to lie.

"What's going on?" Selina asks Blade.

"I've discovered something," he tells her. "About the…the thing that was inside Rasputin's head."

Selina squeezes my hand.

"It's not all bad," Blade says, "but none of it is good . And…and there have been…um… other developments too." He and Flame exchange a look.

"I can't believe you two." My anger solidifies again. "You're hiding something from me. Again!"

Flame steps forward, stopping short. I've never seen him so uncomfortable. "Blade's done a ton of research," he says. "He's also consulted with that Zuben guy. You need to hear him out."

"I don't need to do anything." Dropping Selina's hand, I cross my arms over my chest.

"Sure, sure." Flame lifts his hands in surrender. "And ignoring all this will work great for you, darlin', as long as you never plan to go above ground again."

My shoulders rise and my gut tightens. Flame hit me exactly where he knew it would have the most impact. Until this demon business is solved, I'm trapped underground. The last thing I want.

"Whatever you found out." I raise my chin. "Just tell me."

Blade flicks his gaze toward Selina.

"Selina and I don't have secrets," I say sharply, annoyed that he clearly doesn't want to speak in front of her. Although, at the moment, I have kept so many things from my sestra .

Blade and Flame glance toward each other, and their silent exchange reminds me of one of the reasons I thought I was falling in love with them. Their bond, their solid dedication to each other is admirable and beyond attractive, and I realize that in many ways it mirrors what I found in Selina. She lacked family too and helped me heal the hole left when my birth sisters and brother were killed.

Flame and Blade's bond is one of the reasons I connected to and admire these men, but I was foolish to imagine their feelings for me could ever compare to what they feel for each other.

Selina steps forward. "Can Ana and I chat alone?"

"Of course." Flame claps Blade on the back. "We'll be down the hall. Ears closed." Winking at me, he twists his fingers beside his ears, mimicking locks.

I nod, shocked that I believe him. No unnecessary eavesdropping is part of their stupid code.

"We'll be back soon." Blade looks at me, and his silver eyes fill with so much longing that I nearly melt again, nearly dive into his arms, but the pair vanish in a flash, landing somewhere, out of sight, down the long hallway.

"What did you want to talk about?" I ask Selina.

"Why don't you want to hear them out?" she asks.

"Because they're liars." I fold my arms over my chest.

"They seem pretty sincere to me." She runs her hand over my shoulder. "But you know them better. Were they lying right now?"

I shake my head. "Not lying. Just holding something back." But it's something they want to tell me. I can't fault them for not wanting to do it out in the open where anyone in the palace might overhear.

Selina puts her hand on my folded forearms. "Ana, you are a good trust of character. If they lie to you, you'll know."

Relaxing somewhat, I drop my arms to my sides. My guts squirm with nerves. Part of my reluctance to hear them out is fear that I'll fall into their arms, and doing that will make our separation even harder. Being angry with the men was a great way to make a clean break.

Unable to meet Selina's probing gaze, I glance down the hall. She knows me better than I'm willing to admit, and if I look into her eyes, I'll run out of excuses to avoid facing the men, no matter how hurt I am by their lies.

"But you invited me for dinner…" I say weakly.

Selina squeezes my arm, drawing my attention toward her. "I doubt the roast is in the oven yet. You've got at least three or four hours. But, of course, you're welcome to join us any time. Immediately, if that's what you want."

My gratitude for my sister expands, and I chew on my bottom lip, trying to decide when no option feels right.

"What did they lie about?" she asks softly. "Help me understand what's going on. Maybe it will help if you talk about it?"

Selina does know me. Talking almost always helps, and I've been holding this in for too long.

Drawing a long breath, I meet her gaze head on. "They killed Timur," I blurt. "One of them did. But they all knew about it. The whole time I've known them they knew , yet none of them told me."

As my words hit, she blinks. "Why did they kill—?" She shakes her head as if deciding the why isn't important. "What made them come clean now?"

"They told me after I found out—" I turn away, a lump in my throat blocking the rest of my words.

"Found out what, Ana?" Selina steps into my line of vision, her eyes literal puddles of concern. "Tell me what's going on."

My knees crumple.

Selina catches me, and then leads me to a pair of chairs in a small alcove to the side of the hallway. She helps me into a chair, then sits facing me, pulling her chair so close our knees touch. Taking my hands in hers, she waits patiently for me to talk.

"Phil," I say softly. "I told you about Phil, right?"

She nods, her expression confirming that she remembers not only his name, but my feelings for him. "Honey, what's wrong? Was he the one who killed Timur?"

I shake my head as despair rises, blocking my ability to think or to speak. And for the first time, I fully believe that Phil's dead, and the weight of it intensifies.

I can't move.

"Your Highnesses," a voice drifts into my fog.

"What is it?" Selina asks. "Can't you see we're having a private conversation?"

"Many apologies, Highness," the voice says, "but Princess Anastasia has an incoming video call. A young vampire named Ember. She says it's extremely urgent that she speak to Her Highness."

I turn my head to face the vampire standing at the alcove entrance. She's nervous, and I feel bad about that. "Ember?" I manage to get a word out.

"Yes, Your Highness." The messenger shifts, her hands clasped behind her back.

Flame and Blade appear behind the messenger.

Selina turns toward them. "Apparently someone named Ember is calling. Does that name mean anything to you two?"

"Ana," Blade says softly. "If you won't talk to us, will you at least talk to Ember?"

Drawing a long breath, I steel myself and rise. My grief can wait.

Ember wouldn't call, claiming it's urgent, without reason. My stomach flips. She's in the city where Phil died. Perhaps she knows something. Perhaps she wants guidance on dealing with his remains.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Selina asks.

I shake my head, realizing it is likely about Phil's remains. DEFTA would be responsible for Phil's body after Crusher left him to rot. And I'm still not ready for her to know about my loss. I turn to Selina. "I'll join you later for dinner."

Selina offers a supportive smile, and I walk stiffly toward the hallway. The messenger steps to the side to let me exit the alcove, and then leads me away. Blade and Flame follow behind us, but I lack the will to object. They can trail me like puppies if they so choose. That doesn't mean I'll let them in the room while I talk to Ember. And it certainly doesn't mean I'll fully forgive their deceit.