Seducing The Dark Prince

Lucien opened his mouth but paused as her words registered before he spoke. “Hamilton?”

“The actual necromancer who crashed the reception. The man who murdered Rafe’s father and apprentice along with at least two innocent women.”

“I’m aware of who he is. Why would I be working with him?”

“Because he’s made it his life’s work to destroy my family, and you seem to be very conveniently helping his cause.”

“I’m not trying to destroy your family. This isn’t about your family at all.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Lucien sighed, glancing down at the floor, where droplets of blood had dried around him. “First of all, my interest in having you join the genome project at Smok Biotech was genuine. Is genuine. That has nothing to do with any of this.”

“Any of this? You mean the trying-to-kill-members-of-my-family this? Did you think I’d just be like, ‘Oh, that’s okay, Mr. Smok, let me map these triggers for you. I don’t need time off for the funerals. Can I get you a coffee?’”

“I didn’t think you’d find out,” Lucien burst out.

Theia unfolded her arms and clenched her fists, tempted to add to his bruises.

He had the sense to look embarrassed. “I mean, this is what I do. It has nothing to do with anything else. I compartmentalize the Lucien I have to be for the company so I can do this. You have no idea how dangerous these inhuman abominations are. Revenants rip people limb from limb. They’re unstoppable. They’re not human, and they do not experience empathy or remorse. My work with Smok Consulting means letting creatures like these walk free, and I was tired of being the cause of it, so I decided to take matters into my own hands—unofficially. I’m sorry it happens to affect you personally, but I can’t let my feelings for you get in the way of what has to be done.”

Through the haze of anger, Theia’s airway did that funny tightening thing again. “Feelings for me?”

“I didn’t mean feelings, I just meant—I mean, of course I’m attracted to you, that’s not... Fuck.” Lucien threw back his head in frustration but clearly regretted the movement as soon as he’d made it, judging by the sharp cry.

“What was that? What’s wrong?”

Lucien looked a little green. “Nothing. I think I might have... I just have a little...” His eyes fluttered shut, and his head slumped forward.

“Lucien?” Theia tried to rouse him with a gentle shake, to no effect. She raised her voice as she turned her head toward the door. “You guys? I think I need some help in here.”

The door opened abruptly, Rhea’s palm flat against it as though she’d been standing just on the other side with her ear pressed against the wood. “What did he do now?”

“I think he passed out. He moved his head sharply and it jarred some injury.”

Leo grunted from the doorway. “Probably his broken arm.”

Theia whirled on him. “You broke his arm?”

“Arrow,” Rhea reminded her. She pointed at the table with a glare. “Crossbow.”

“I’m not saying it wasn’t warranted, but you don’t tie up a guy with a broken arm and torture him for information.”

Rhea snorted. “Nobody tortured him. He’s a big goddamn baby.”

“You have to take him to the hospital.”

Lucien stirred and groaned. “’M fine. No hospital.”

Theia rolled her eyes. “You’re not fine. You got the shit beaten out of you by a Viking. Deservedly, it sounds like.”

Lucien gritted his teeth like he was struggling to stay conscious. “Call Lucy.”

Theia looked at Rhea, who shook her head and shrugged, then glanced back at Lucien. “Khaleesi?”

Lucien groaned, this time a sound of frustration rather than pain. “Call. Lucy. My sister. Number’s in my phone.” He paused for a breath. “Under ‘Bitch.’”

“Um...” Theia raised an eyebrow.

Rhea picked up the cell phone lying next to the crossbow. It was a bit dented, and the glass cracked, but apparently it still functioned.

“Password?” Lucien gave it to her and Rhea typed it in. “Yep. Here it is—Bitch.”

“She’s my twin,” said Lucien.

Rhea shared a look with Theia. “Seems about right,” they said together.

* * *

Lucy Smok was at the door twenty minutes later. She had the same ice-blue eyes and long lashes as her brother. The same dark brows and darker hair—though Lucy’s was considerably longer and hung in a loose braid—contrasted starkly with the porcelain-fair skin in a slightly more feminine frame.

Lucien’s twin leaned casually against the entryway, a black leather attaché case in her hand, glancing from Rhea to Theia as they opened the door. “Which one of you is the biologist?”

“I’m Theia.” She stepped forward and shook Lucy’s hand as though they were meeting in a normal social situation. “This is Rhea. Please come in. He’s in the kitchen, through here.”

Rhea had agreed to let Theia untie Lucien, but he still sat in the chair, guarded by a scowling Leo.

Lucy took in Leo’s size with a glance and burst out laughing at her brother. “God, you’re an idiot.”

Lucien glared, holding his right arm awkwardly in his lap. “Thanks.” His voice was tight and clipped. “Knew I could count on you.”

“You’ll have to forgive my brother.” Lucy smirked at him from the doorway. “He thinks he’s some kind of vigilante superhero.” She stepped into the kitchen and set down the bag to look him over, clucking her tongue at his bruises.

He swore loudly when she touched his arm. “I think it’s broken,” he said through gritted teeth.

“That’s what they told me.”

“Did you bring it?”

“I did. You sure you want it?”

Lucien nodded curtly.

Lucy straightened. “We’re going to need to get that shirt off.” She looked around. “Got any scissors?”

Rhea rummaged through the kitchen drawers and dug up a pair. “Looks like you’ve got this covered.” She handed them to Lucy. “I think Leo and I should leave you to it.” She nodded at Leo, who pushed away from the counter with a sigh and followed her to the door. Before she left, Rhea turned back to Lucien. “And by the way? He’s not a revenant, you jackass. He’s mortal.”

Lucien hissed in pain as Lucy cut the black sweater up the side, muttering something under his breath.

Lucy shook her head, continuing to cut without pausing. “You shot a mortal with that thing, idiot. You’re lucky he didn’t kill you.”

The sleeve came away, revealing an odd twist to Lucien’s elbow that made Theia’s stomach churn.

From the black case, Lucy retrieved a small glass vial and a disposable syringe and ripped open a sterile wipe, which she used on his elbow. “This is going to hurt.”

Theia peered over Lucy’s shoulder as she opened the vial and filled the syringe. “What is that?”

“It’s like Fix-a-Flat for bones.” Without a warning, Lucy jabbed the needle directly into the joint, and Lucien let out a barrage of obscenities.

Theia had to turn away to keep the sudden lurch of her stomach from becoming something more. When she turned back, the twist in Lucien’s arm seemed to have magically straightened.

“It’s a little something we make at Smok Biotech.” Lucy nodded to her brother as he cautiously flexed the joint. “You’ll need to have it set properly before it starts to mend wrong. But for now, you should be able to use it.”

As Lucien pulled off what remained of the sweater, Theia caught a flash of blue ink on his back just below the right shoulder. Brilliant blue, like the color she kept seeing everywhere—in her dreams, evoked in sounds and words.

Lucien glanced at Lucy. “Did you bring me—”

“Of course.” She handed him the sweater she’d taken from the case, the same as the one he’d been wearing.

He turned as he stood to pull it on, giving Theia a good look at his ink.

It was a tattoo of a small web-winged dragon in flight.

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