CHAPTER NINE

I stared at Gray, at Valerian , my heart pounding in my chest like a hummingbird on Ritalin.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

The moment Gray had announced himself as Valerian Shadowbane, everything changed.

But before I could even process that thought, Magnus had already unsheathed his massive sword and was now holding it high above his head, ready to lop Gray’s head off. He took two steps forward and pulled his arms further back like a baseball player about to hit the winning ball.

“Wait!” I shouted at the same time that Luke raised his arm to halt Magnus.

For once Magnus actually listened and thank God for that. With an expression of disappointment, he brought the sword down. Luke, meanwhile, turned back to face Gray, er Valerian (at this point, I really wasn’t sure what to call him), who lifted his head defiantly.

“Then you have made your choice as to whom you truly are,” Luke said, his lips just as tight as his voice.

“I am the same man I have always been,” Valerian said as if he were casually telling Luke how he preferred his coffee.

At that pronouncement, I felt my stomach drop to my toes because the Gray I’d known—the Gray I’d actually liked, was now nowhere to be seen. In fact, it seemed as if the man before me was a completely different person. He still had the same handsome face, of course, the same chiseled features, but the fear and confusion that had clouded his eyes earlier were now gone. Confidence blazed in their place, and it struck me that the only time I’d ever witnessed such bravado from him was in my dreams—when we’d met in his garden, and he’d appeared so sure of himself. Was it possible that he’d been Valerian then too? Had he never actually changed? Had he so easily pulled the wool over my eyes? Was it possible that Luke had been right all along? Had Artemis erroneously believed Valerian would and could change?

Valerian’s attention shifted from Luke, to Magnus, then back to Luke, before it finally settled on me. Then his eyes narrowed in an almost seductive way, and the corners of his lips lifted into a smirk.

“Kate,” he said, and although I was annoyed with myself, the sound of him saying my name did something to my stomach—something unsettling. “I can still taste you on my tongue.” My cheeks flushed hot at his brazenly sexual words, and I swallowed hard. “Catherine,” he continued, savoring my name like a decadent treat, “the Daughter of the Moon who donated her blood so that I might live.”

I breathed in deeply, feeling exposed under his intense gaze. Magnus took another step forward then, clearly itching to behead Valerian right there and then, but Luke held up his hand, stopping the big oaf once more.

“Enough of this,” Luke snapped, his eyes never leaving Valerian. “You will not speak to Kate again.”

“Won’t I?” Valerian retorted, his eyes still fully focused on mine. “And what does our lovely lady think of that?”

I looked at him and shook my head. “I don’t understand what… happened to you.”

His eyes further narrowed and this time, his expression wasn’t dripping with the promise of sexual fulfillment, but rather, irritation—like he didn’t have the time or energy to bother with hurt feelings.

“Ah, yes,” he replied, his voice seething with sarcasm. “This whole situation is just a delightful mystery, isn’t it?”

“I wouldn’t call it ‘delightful’ by any stretch of the imagination,” I responded, glaring at him.

Luke turned to face me then. “Have you seen enough now to convince yourself that he isn’t the man you hoped he was? ”

I swallowed hard and looked back at Valerian, who was studying me with an odd expression on his face—one that I failed to recognize. It might have even been regret that pooled in his deep eyes that were… green —that’s the color they were —an almost forest green, but tinted with the darkest blue.

“The man you seek is still within me,” he responded with a grin, baring his fangs. “Deep within the many shards of my personality.”

As much as I wanted to dismiss this new version of Gray (or maybe it was better to say: the original version of him), there was something undeniably intriguing about his newfound confidence. I’d always found him to be a strikingly handsome and sexy man but the man standing before me now reminded me more and more of the Gray I’d met in my dreams—charming and smug, and less like the man I’d discovered in the dungeon. Hmm, maybe it had been Valerian I’d been associating with all that time. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that had to be the case.

“Do you know who I am?” Luke asked Valerian .

The latter turned his attention back to Luke, regarding him with indifference. “You are the useless wizard—”

“—Magician,” Luke corrected him, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“Ah, yes,” Valerian smirked, “the useless magician who has made my life rather miserable these last few decades.”

“‘Rather useless’ and yet I managed to return your memories to you?” Luke pressed and I found it interesting that Valerian’s slight seemed to unsettle Luke. It was almost like Luke felt he had to prove something to the other man—but that didn’t make much sense.

Valerian smiled then, clearly appreciating the fact that he’d gotten underneath Luke’s skin. “I suppose everyone must have a victory once in a while, no?”

“Why is our enemy still talking?” Magnus demanded as my mother hung off his arm and stared at him like she was starving and he was a Double-Double from In-N-Out.

“Because, you brainless savage, as of yet, the useless wizard and the buxom maiden know not what to do with me,” Valerian responded, sounding amused. Then he turned his attention from the ‘brainless savage’ back to me and his eyes heated with fire. “Does the enemy feature in your plans or is he simply a vehicle to slay the lust within your belly, love?”

Damn him! It was almost as if he could read my feelings like an open book. Even though I could recognize that this man wasn’t Gray at all and that he was actually a complete and total asshole, I couldn’t help my attraction to him, as stupid as that sounded. And what was worse, Valerian was fully aware of that fact, or so it seemed.

Son of a bitch!

But just as Valerian was about to say something more, the words were stolen from him as the glowing rune around his throat appeared to tighten. At the sign of movement in my peripheral vision, I glanced over at Luke and noticed that he was holding his left hand out in a fist. Apparently, he’d pulled the cord on the rune and shut Valerian right the fuck up.

“I thought I told you not to address her,” Luke berated him angrily. “Not only do you not address her, but you are also forbidden to even so much as look at her!”

Meanwhile, Valerian’s skin was turning a nice shade of red, and his eyes began to bulge out of his face. I didn’t imagine that a vampire, a creature that for all intents and purposes was dead, would need to breathe, but maybe the runes were doing something else to him? After another second or so, Luke dropped his fist and the rune around Valerian’s throat appeared to loosen. Valerian breathed in deeply, which put to bed the question of whether or not he could, and the reddish tone faded away from his face.

Valerian didn’t say anything for a few seconds, but then, raising an eyebrow, he asked, “where is that odious witch, Artemis?”

“Yo, she’s dead,” Rocco unexpectedly interjected, clomping up to Valerian with Yolanda swinging from one of his horns. “But seriously, dude, are you like possessed or somethin’? ‘Cause your personality just did a full three-sixty.”

“Actually,” Valerian replied, his smirk never wavering, even if he were still trying to catch his breath. “If my personality had performed a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, Good Sir Goat, that would mean I had come full circle, which would translate to: I hadn’t changed at all.”

Rocco just frowned, looking first left, then right until he appeared completely confused.

“The degree you’re after, my beast of burden, is a one-eighty,” Valerian finished .

Rocco looked at him with little interest and I had to wonder if Valerian’s explanation had even entered Rocco’s brain. “When did the King o’ Darkness become such a nerd?” Rocco asked as he faced Luke, who didn’t appear amused, not in the least. “What’s the story ‘ere, huh?”

“King of Darkness,” Valerian repeated with a nod, grinning. “I rather like that moniker.”

“Enough small talk,” Luke cut in, clearly trying to regain control of the conversation as his eyes narrowed on Valerian. There was absolute hatred in their depths. “We need to know what your intentions are, Valerian.”

“My intentions? I thought I was your esteemed guest of honor?” the man in question replied with a candid smile. Despite being restrained against the wall, wearing a pink, fluffy bathrobe, with glowing runes wrapped around his throat, wrists, and hands, he seemed oddly at ease—like he was the one in charge and we were simply meant to submit to him.

“I liked him better when he was naked and afraid,” my mother piped up.

“We all did,” I agreed as Valerian’s attention returned to me and he smiled his devil’s grin that, once again, did something to my insides .

“Now that isn’t exactly true, is it, love?”

Right. It wasn’t exactly true.

Seriously, Kate, I asked myself. You’re actually getting turned on by the biggest asshole you’ve ever met?

God, what was wrong with me?

As he studied me, Valerian’s gaze was visibly heavy with interest. I couldn’t help but feel a shiver of apprehension run down my spine under the weight of his scrutiny. There was just something about the way he looked at me—like he was literally undressing me with his eyes—and it completely unhinged me.

Which is totally idiotic, I rebuked myself. Because this guy is basically your enemy—someone who would probably kill you if he had the chance, and yet your dumbass wants to jump his bones anyway?

Was this what happened when people remained celibate for too long? Had I lost my stupid brain?

Valerian turned to face Luke with another grin. “As to your inquiry regarding my intentions…” Then he glanced down at himself. “It seems I’ll just be lollygagging in this position for the foreseeable future, as I’m clearly unable to do so much as move.” Then his gaze shifted to me once more, and suddenly the air between us crackled with an in tensity that stole my breath. He opened his mouth to, no doubt, say something else that was decidedly sexually charged, but I shook my head.

No, I mouthed to him, afraid for what Luke would do to him if he continued to make lewd comments about or to me. As to why I was looking out for Valerian? I couldn’t be sure. Maybe I believed Gray was still in there somewhere? Maybe I didn’t want to see Luke choke Valerian again? Maybe I didn’t want to deal with more sexual innuendo? Maybe it was all three.

“Actually, in all honesty,” Valerian continued, his voice low and seductive, as he clearly disregarded my warning, “I rather fancy finding myself up close and personal with the loveliest Daughter of the Moon I’ve ever seen.” His eyes subsequently roved over my body from head to foot, lingering on every curve, before meeting my eyes again. “The moon certainly outdid itself this time.”

I felt a hot flush spread across my cheeks, but I couldn’t look away. There was something so magnetic and entrancing about him that made him nearly impossible to resist. It was almost as if his eyes were commanding me—telling me to remain confined by them—like a moon trapped inside a planet’s orbit.

Luke’s gaze bore into Valerian’s, giving him a clear warning. “You should remember, Valerian, that all I have to do is say the word and Magnus here will sever your head from your shoulders without a moment’s hesitation.”

“Just say the word,” Magnus echoed, and my mother started cooing up at him once more. I shook my head and wondered what in the hell was wrong with her. In the past, it had just been men in uniform that got her so hot and bothered. Firemen? Sure, I got that. Cops? Okay, I got that too. Military men? Yep, that made sense. For about two months, she even had a thing for UPS and FedEx guys too, and, no problem, I could accept that also. But murderous barbarians? God, if this thing with Magnus didn’t work out, I could see her attempting to make ‘friends’ with every guy in jail.

“My, my, aren’t we touchy when it comes to the lady?” Valerian asked Luke as he arched an eyebrow. He didn’t appear the least bit concerned that Magnus was about to go Queen of Hearts on his head .

“It seems you don’t fully understand the nature of your situation as my prisoner,” Luke continued.

But Valerian didn’t seem to care. “Perhaps you desire her for yourself, Magician? Is that why you’ve been so focused on discouraging her attraction towards me?”

Luke’s jaw clenched, but he answered without hesitation. “No, that’s not why.”

“Are you saying you don’t desire her?” Valerian continued, raising both of his brows to the ceiling. “Because I would certainly beg to differ.”

“The reason I’ve been discouraging her is entirely because of you, Valerian, since you are in no way deserving of her attention.” When Luke spoke, his words were cold as ice. “You are no more than a cockroach attempting to earn the affection of a queen.”

Queen? Well, now, that was a pretty nice thing to say, but I wasn’t really sure if this was the time or the place for me to thank Luke, so I just held back my response and stood there like the queen I was.

“And are you, my good sir, deserving of her affection then?” the cockroach asked.

Luke’s jaw was just as tight as it had been. “We are not discussing this any longer. ”

“Tell me, is she aware of the things you’ve done to get where you are today?” Valerian inquired, his grin continuing to grow. Even though it should have been impossible for him to smile, given that he was restrained and clearly playing the role of Luke’s prisoner, it seemed he somehow had Luke pinned exactly where he wanted him. “Or have you represented yourself as the knight who does not err, hmm?” At that, Valerian’s laughter rang out through the room.

“Yo, I think this one flew ova the cuckoo nest,” Rocco said, reminding me that he was still there. “Anyone got any ideas fer dinner? I’m starvin’ ova ‘ere.”

Then Rocco clomped out of the room, heading towards the kitchen, no doubt, to seek something he could eat. The rest of us, meanwhile, stayed glued in place, exactly where we were. It almost seemed as if we were playing a game of chess against Valerian. And as impossible as it sounded, it seemed he was winning the game.

“Just how much have you shared with the female recipient of your affections, Magician?” Valerian inquired, his eyes narrowing on Luke.

The tension in the room was palpable, a living thing that seemed to wrap around each of us. I could feel it even as I tried to focus on my own thoughts, my mind racing with confusion and curiosity. I didn’t know how to interpret Valerian’s words or whether I should bother trying to make anything of them at all. I mean, I was sure there were things in Luke’s past that he wasn’t proud of—just as there were things in all of our pasts we’d prefer not to think about. Yet… hmm, judging by the way Valerian had phrased his question, it seemed like there was something specific and particularly bad that he was referring to. Or was he just trying to weave a web of suspicion between Luke and me?

“Tell me, Valerian,” Luke said, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife, “do you remember that Ezra turned against you?” Now it was Luke’s turn to smile as the smug expression on Valerian’s face began to blanch. “I imagine you not only have your past memories returned to you,” Luke continued, his grin broadening, “but you also still have Gray’s. And, if I am correct, then you are fully cognizant of the fact that the one man you trusted, Ezra, deceived you? In fact, if I accurately recall the scene, didn’t Ezra shove his blade directly into your heart? Wasn’t that how it went? ”

The grin that had been plastered on Valerian’s face instantly vanished, and as the seconds ticked by, Valerian’s calm fa?ade began to crack. His eyes, once cold and calculating, now blazed with unbridled fury. He thrashed against his bindings, causing the runes to flare brighter, their magical grasp tightening with each of his struggles. His lips curled back into a snarl, revealing elongated, razor-sharp fangs that made me swallow hard while taking a step back. The veins on Valerian’s temples and neck bulged with the intensity of his anger, his skin stretching tautly over the corded muscles beneath.

Magnus took another step forward, clearly believing the vampire to be a threat, but Luke held up his hand to stop Magnus from taking any further action. Meanwhile, a deep, guttural growl emanated from Valerian’s chest, reverberating through the room like the warning of a cornered predator. Although that sound had definitely embodied his anger—there was something more that I detected—pain and hurt. I could also see the suffering in his eyes. Yes, he had definitely trusted Ezra and Ezra’s traitorous backstabbing (or front stabbing) had deeply injured him. That much was obvious .

The fury in Valerian’s gaze was visible, a seething storm of rage and indignation. His hands clenched into fists, digging his nails into his palms with such force, they drew blood. His entire body strained against the runes, his muscles rippling with his effort to break free, but the enchanted runes held steadfast.

Valerian’s fury had become a living, breathing entity, something that was more intimidating than the man, himself, could ever hope to be. And I was suddenly more than aware of just how incredibly dangerous he was.

“Ezra will suffer for his disloyalty.” Valerian spat the words like they were venom. “He will suffer for not remembering his place and refusing to give his master the respect I am due. There is nothing worse than a disloyal subject.”

“Unless, of course, this is all an act,” Luke suggested as he narrowed his eyes on the vampire.

“An act?” Valerian repeated and there was no smugness in his response.

“This might be exactly what you and Ezra agreed to do,” Luke continued, nodding. “The second in command pretends to usurp the leader’s position so the rest of us will begin to trust you. ”

Valerian just looked at Luke for a few seconds before his bellowing chuckle filled the room. But it wasn’t a sound of mirth. His laugh was cold, deadly icy, and filled with nothing but dread. It was a sound I hoped to never hear again.

“You are even more of a fool than I previously gave you credit for,” Valerian managed to reply.

His gaze then moved from Luke back to me, and I swallowed hard as I saw the abject lust in his eyes. It made me feel both desired and exposed, a dangerous combination. And despite all of that, I had to admit I still found myself inexplicably drawn to him. In response, I took a step nearer, my body appearing to move of its own accord. But before I could get any closer, Luke reached out and gripped my arm, his touch firm but gentle.

“Don’t look Valerian in the eyes, Kate,” he warned me.

I looked at Luke, not understanding. “Why?”

“He possesses vampire glamour that can influence you and make you do whatever he wants you to do.”

Valerian continued to chuckle. “Is that what you believe is going on between the two of us, Magician? That it is simply a glamour which attracts her to me? Or is that your own wishful thinking?”

Luke didn’t spare him a look but kept his gaze on mine. “You need to keep your walls up and your defenses high whenever you’re around him. Don’t ever forget that he’s centuries old, which means he’s incredibly powerful.”

Valerian continued to chuckle in that icy, awful laugh. “You simply do not want to face the fact that the Daughter of the Moon desires me,” Valerian insisted. “And that she desires me more than she could ever desire you.”

“Stop,” I said as I looked at Valerian and finally bolstered myself. “You’ve said enough, dickhead.”

He looked at me, then back at Luke. “I have nothing to do with the attraction Catherine feels towards me.”

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “You know damn well my name is Kate.”

But Valerian didn’t pull his gaze from Luke. “Just as the innate magic within her has nothing to do with the attraction I feel towards her.”

My cheeks flushed hot at his words, and I had to remind myself of the danger that lurked beneath Valerian’s handsome and sexual exterior. I knew I needed to stay strong, to resist the allure that seemed to radiate from the vampire like a siren’s call. But I also knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Why? Because Valerian was right—despite whatever glamour he might possess—the feelings I had towards him… well, they weren’t all his doing.

“This guy talks too much.”

My mother’s voice suddenly cut through the air like a knife. She glanced disdainfully at Valerian, who was still smirking at me. My mother, meanwhile, crossed her arms over her enormous chest and yawned. “All this nonstop talking is making me tired. Can’t we just kill him and get it over with?”