Death Game: Supernatural Battle (Vampire Towers #3) - Kelly St. Clare Page 0,43

out of work, but if someone is brokering overseas deals, they’re filling a niche where there is no competition. Of course they’d thrive.”

Satisfaction thrummed through Kyros, and I held onto the very real passion I’d felt during my outburst so relief didn’t edge in.

I tuned in as the seconds launched into their usual debate. The fury level was at a record high. Everyone felt the stress of what was looking more and more like an imminent loss to Fyrlia. The forecasters reported that the end cascade would be triggered within three weeks unless Sundulus did something huge.

Beforehand, that something huge was the bluff with Mr Ringly that hardly anyone knew about. That was gone now, though Kyros’s family was still hoping it would turn around.

Three weeks to make everything right.

So little time. And yet I’d decided to sit on my information from Sandra Hoyt. When I brought that information forward, I’d tell Sundulus absolutely everything about what I said to Mikael. Kyros would be pissed. Mega pissed. Possibly never-talk-to-me-again pissed.

So I couldn’t risk him cancelling the fifth exchange over it.

If the book on mating rituals was correct, we’d be almost inseparable at that point. The opportunity to trigger the sixth exchange with Kyros’s tenuous lack of control would be easier. He may even be more inclined to forgive me.

Which only served to show me how desperate I felt.

And what a coward I was.

Shaking that off, I settled into listening, tapping out hashtags when a comment caught my fancy and slipping in my opinion when something unvoiced occurred to me.

When the seconds zoomed out per their usual exit, Kyros switched off his tablet and stalked slowly toward me. “What do you type down during every meeting? I thought it was notes at first, but you’re always amused.”

That’s because I was within the sad percentage of the population who found their own jokes funny.

I opened the notes app and tilted the screen toward him.

He tore his gaze from my pantsuit and pearl necklace to the device, reading, “Hashtag am screwed more.”

Dang. Maybe it wasn’t funny to other people.

“It’s how I keep track of the conversation when the Vissimo power turns up a notch or ten.”

Kyros read the others, his lips twitching at #juliadoublecrossingdinh.

Not a complete loser. Go, me.

“Hashtag Fyrlia crumb trail,” he said, pointing at the last hashtag. “What does that mean?”

“I think Ilion’s right. There should be a team dedicated to fishing out corrupt deals that Fyrlia has made. The team could target the larger deals from, say, one to two years ago. I feel like they would have taken care in recent months as they drew ahead, but before that, I feel like there’s a chance Fyrlia won’t have bothered to cover their tracks as diligently.”

“Very good, mate. Let’s put it to my brothers and sisters.” Placing a hand on my lower back, he directed me out of the room ahead of him.

Mate.

He had to go and say it.

“Do you regret saying it then?” he murmured at my back.

I shivered, already tense from having him behind me. Did I regret calling him mate? “No.”

Biting back my smile at his answering growl, I scampered into the next meeting room, beelining for Safina. She turned as I approached.

“Ah, Basilia.”

“Ah, Safina.” I copied her slightly bored tone. Was that how this worked?

Gerome’s mouth dropped open and he whacked Francesca. She hissed, fangs lengthening, then glanced at me and Safina. Her fangs disappeared.

She whipped out her phone, and in unison, the other siblings drew out theirs.

Kyros scanned Rory and Neelan as they snickered. “What’s—?” He froze as his gaze landed on Safina and me.

“Brother?” she said, tilting her head.

“Kyros?” I said, tilting mine.

Horror filled him, and I nearly lost it on the spot. His gaze snapped to mine, and I worked to keep my face smooth even though he could feel me hooting inside.

“Oh my gosh,” Lalitta hushed.

Dierdre was crying with silent laughter. Go figure.

Kyros’s throat worked, and he shuddered visibly and internally. “Please be seated. We have much to discuss before the call to King Julius.”

Safina leaned back, crossing her legs. I did the same a beat later.

Lust and revulsion warred for first place within the massive vampire.

Oh, yeah.

This was going to be a fun week.

12

The video recording of Sandra Hoyt came to an end. I surveyed the shocked faces around the table.

“Fucking monsters,” Mr Hothen spat. “Why didn’t she come to me for help?”

The desperate weren’t known for 20/20 vision.

I placed my phone on the table. “I consulted a rule book. Proof