beds and seemingly fell asleep. Whether they did so naturally or because they had some help from Zadok and his magic, she did not know. It was all the same to her.
The “woman” sat on the ground near where Maxine was lying, her back against the front of the sofa. She patted her dress dramatically.
“Really, I’m not sure how your gender gets anything done. It isn’t even the tits that are the problem—yes, fine, they’re distracting—it’s the damnable lack of pockets that is the real issue here.” Bella looked down at herself and picked up the folds of her skirt and dropped them in frustration. “Is this a manner of repression I have been previously unaware of? That if we let you wear comfortable clothing that serves any functional purpose, you might revolt?”
Maxine rolled over to lie on her back, watching the false huntress complain. “It’s quite possible.”
“It’s asinine.” Bella’s form melted back into that of the vampire’s true shape, who stretched and grunted as if releasing himself from constraints. “That’s better. That’s a world better.”
“And you weren’t even wearing a corset. I am grateful I haven’t had to march through the city in mine, I will admit.”
“I am not sure how you are still walking. All Eddie can do is complain about his feet, and he’s in sensible footwear. You’re in heels.”
“It’s astonishing what people will learn to accept if they feel they don’t have any other option.” Maxine looked up at the ceiling. “Zadok…what happens tomorrow?”
“Pardon?”
“Vlad has led me to believe this jaunt around the city ends tomorrow. He has referenced that the hunters will abandon me in this city. You have hinted at the same. What are you both plotting?”
“Do you really wish to know?”
“This time, yes, I think I do.”
Zadok shrugged. “As you wish. Tomorrow, I will reveal that Bella is our prisoner and has been for two days. If they agree to leave us and this city in peace, we shall return Bella to them unharmed.”
“I cannot imagine Mordecai will agree to that.”
“It will not happen, so it does not matter. Eddie will wish to take the deal. Alfonzo will not. He is too caught up in his desperate need to destroy Dracula to turn away now. It will be what fractures them in half.”
Maxine sighed and shut her eyes. “You’re right.”
“I am a manipulator and an illusionist. This is my game. And with Vlad’s assistance, I fear they stand little chance.” Zadok leaned his head back and rested it on her arm. There was no need to pull away from him. It was a friendly gesture, little more. She had enough reasons to loathe the man; she did not need to take insult where there was none meant. It was clear he was accustomed to being near to others in a way that she was not. “And then, I fear, comes your part to play in tomorrow’s affairs.”
“Which is what?”
“We will tell them that the only way they will be allowed to make forward progress into our Master’s city is if they leave you behind. The boy will chase after Bella and try to free her. The old fool will hunt down our Master alone. They will both die.”
Maxine shut her eyes and knew he was very likely correct in his assumptions. Zadok was, for all his faults, a strong judge of a person’s character. He had played the role of Bella flawlessly for two days and skillfully hidden his lie from the two men. And her predictions were, sadly, the same as his.
“You do not wish to argue? To fight me and claim that they shall do the right thing? That they could not possibly be so foolhardy in their selfish needs?”
“No. I have nothing on which to base such opinions. I dread what may become of them, and I may hope you are wrong, but it is merely that—hopes alone. And I have long since learned that when it comes to predicting human nature…optimism is worthless.”
“I am glad to end this game. I tire of the charade. Now it is simply boring. But I do have one opportunity for entertainment left, do I not? I won our bet.”
“I never did honestly agree to any of this.”
“Oh, come now. Don’t be such a sorry sport. Besides—you could rip my soul from my body if you find me so repulsive, no?” He nudged her arm, and when she looked over to him, he was holding up his hand to her. “Where is the harm