as the Ice Man—so cold and beautiful that he couldn’t be real.
I’d been wrong.
This was the Ice Man, but he was made of something that could only be found at the farthest reaches of outer space. So cold and hard and beautiful that it hurt to look at him—and that wasn’t hyperbole. It actually hurt my eyes, some kind of strange magic that was the worst I’d ever felt. He was so pale that he looked like snow, his eyes an almost translucent silver. Platinum hair flowed from his head, and it could have been beautiful if it didn’t make me think of cutting my hands if I touched it.
Two beautiful women sat at either side of the table, positioned right at the corners. Compared to him, they glowed with life and vitality. Both had skin of warm gold and hair of copper. Brilliant blue eyes met mine, and I couldn’t help but notice the twin pinpricks on their necks.
Fang marks.
Silviu waved his hands, and they stood, moving gracefully from the room in their sleek ballgowns.
Did they need rescuing?
Somehow, I thought not.
I was good at reading people, and there was no distress in them.
Silviu turned his gaze to us, and I barely resisted flinching under the icy stare. It hurt like hell—pain that radiated from my skin into my bones, as if he were literally shooting daggers with his eyes.
“Devil.” His voice was low and deep, yet icy all the same. “It has been a long time.”
“Indeed it has.” Grey did not incline his head, but his voice bore no malice.
“And whom do you bring to my castle?”
“My mate.” He didn't say my name, and I appreciated it.
Silviu’s eyebrows rose, and something flickered in his eyes. Envy, maybe, followed by irritation. A half second later, his expression was as bland as it had been when we’d entered. He gestured to the table. “Please, sit.”
Whatever meal they’d been planning to have had not yet started. Untouched silverware sat neatly by empty plates.
Grey approached, and I followed, my gaze keen on Silviu. I didn't want to look at him, but taking my eyes off him would be like looking away from a snake about to strike.
Grey took a seat that had been vacated by one of the women, indicating that I should sit next to him, farther from Silviu.
Grateful, I took the chair, trying to keep my expression bland as I looked at the vampire.
“Have a drink.” Silviu flicked a hand, and a goblet of dark red liquid appeared in front of Grey.
Blood, without question.
My glass appeared as well, filled with a sparkling golden substance that was probably champagne. Still, I wasn’t going to risk it.
Silviu leaned forward, staring hard at me. “Your mate? Truly?”
Grey nodded.
“How did you find her?” Silviu asked.
I didn’t like being spoken about like I wasn’t here. “I found him.”
Silviu’s gaze shot to mine. “You did, now?”
I nodded.
Silviu looked at Grey. Leaning back in his chair, he muttered, “Lucky bastard.”
“I think so,” Grey said.
“Though you now face death.”
“I wouldn’t trade knowing her for anything.”
Silviu nodded as if he understood, but how could he? He didn’t look like he’d ever be capable of caring for another.
“The curse does not give you long, does it?” Silviu asked.
Grey shook his head.
“Shame. All the same, I am envious. I didn’t think it would happen for you. For either of us.”
“You want this?” I asked, unable to help myself.
“I don’t want immortality anymore,” he replied. “After long enough, it becomes a curse. If I could end this life by finding my mate, I can’t imagine better. Even if I only had her for a little while.”
“I’m here to find a way out,” Grey said. “A way around the curse.”
Silviu nodded. “That is what I assumed. You want a meeting with the seer.”
“I do. Can you arrange it?”
Silviu looked between the two of us, and I wondered if he would ask for a price we could not pay.
“I can try, of course,” he said, his voice trailing off.
“What do you want in exchange?” Grey asked.
Silviu’s eyes went to me, and a shiver went down my spine. “What are you?”
I blinked. “What am I?”
“Species. What is your magic?”
“Um—” We still didn’t know exactly what I was. “I can read people and objects. A bit like a seer.”
He nodded. “Can you determine whether I have a mate?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” His lip twisted with distaste.
“Not everything will show itself to me. But I can try.” Internally, I cringed at the idea of touching him. “You couldn’t ask this seer?”
“I