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already. They wouldn't have noticed what I was doing at all. Damn it, Cole! Why couldn't you just listen to me for once?"

Cole grumbled, "They didn't notice anything." Glancing at the shattered panes above, he smiled and looked back at Cassie, "There's a staffing issue in this wing tonight."

Cassie's face fell. She looked over Cole's white microfiber suit, but there was no trace of what he'd done. "Cole, you didn't?"

His face pinched together, offended, "You act like it's a bad thing."

"It is! You can't kill them all!"

Brent blanched, and his eyes widened. "Whoa, wait a second. You killed everyone in the control booth?"

Cole nodded once, his gaze still hostile. "And their backup, so let's get out of here before someone notices."

Cassie closed her eyes and pressed the heel of her hand against them hard, "I told you that I'm not coming." She spoke calmly, but fury was building inside of her, ready to erupt.

"It's not an option." Cole threw a white suit at her. It hit the back of her hands, before it fell to the floor. She didn't pick it up. "Get dressed. We're leaving. Now."

Brent managed to get to his feet. He was still wearing sleep cloths, silky red pajamas. "What about me?"

"What about you?" Cole snapped, not bothering to look at him.

Brent recoiled, and backed away. "Come on, Cole. You're not going to leave me here, are you?" Cole's eyes said everything. He planned on leaving Brent behind.

Cassie suddenly asked, "Where are the others?"

Cole averted his gaze for a moment. Cassie had her back to them and was slipping the suit under that flimsy gown. He didn't turn until he saw her back covered in the white fabric. By then, she'd pulled the suit on and was trying to get her hair out of the neck. She didn't look like herself. Her curls were tamed into silky smooth waves, and her face was... he didn't want to think about it. Cole answered, "Secure. You know we can't talk here. Let's go."

"We can't leave him," Cassie protested looking at Brent.

"He's not coming."

"Cole."

"Cassie," Cole retorted sounding cold and firm.

Cassie knew fighting for Brent was a lost cause. Guilt gnawed at her. She tried one more time, "Please. Cole, we can't leave him behind. They'll kill him."

Cole's eyes were hard. He stared down at Cassie, unblinking. Without warning, he turned and grabbed Brent by the neck, dragging the guy to his face he said, "She saved your life twice tonight."

"Twice?" Brent choked out.

"Twice, you ass. If she wasn't blocking your heart when I came through the ceiling, I would have killed you. That was my original plan. She saved your worthless life and if you do a single thing that pisses me off, I'll break my promise to Cassie. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Brent choked and Cole dropped him to the floor.

Chapter 28

Celticad ordered the rest of the King's entourage to hang back. His plan was simple. Find the underground tunnels that led into the palace and assassinate the Queen. They plotted as they drove closer to the palace. When they were near the edge of the Queen's grounds, Celticad stopped the car.

"We go on foot from here."

"What makes you think the tunnel is still there? It's been centuries since it was buried by snow." The King emerged from the car dressed in white. Out of curiosity, he focused on his fingers, his gaze narrowing as he directed heat to them. His gloved hand shimmered and disappeared. The King grinned widely. His body didn't convert Kahli's blood quickly, but when it did, he realized he was more and more like his old self.

Celticad watched as the King's hand reappeared. The giant vampire smiled savagely, certain he chose the right side. "It stands to reason that the passages are still accessible. The Queen kept the terrain surrounding the palace very similar to the way it was before the flood. The permafrost is thinner here. She didn't allow the snow and ice to build up, so the entrance should still be useable."

The King nodded, noticing Celticad's smile. As they walked onto the Queen's property, the King said over his shoulder, "Kill anyone that gets in your way. I don't care who it is. By sunrise, there will be a new monarch."

"Yes, my King." Celticad's voice was tense with a hint of excitement. He towered over the King, following a few steps behind, watching the blinding terrain as they walked to the South side of the palace. The wind howled like a caged