over her body once more. This time, she could not keep the warmth from creeping up on her cheeks. His smile grew as it clearly did not escape his notice. “Tell me, my dear Maxine, why is it you have come to intrude upon my memories?”
“I would like to propose an accord with you first, King of Vampires. Before we go any farther, I wish to have one thing settled.”
“Oh?” He was amused. Deeply amused. If her gift of empathy had not told her that, the devilish grin on his features would have done the deed. “Do tell. Please, do not make it boring. I have such high hopes for you.”
Every word that came from him was like a small piece of a puzzle slipping into place. This conversation was painting a portrait of a man, although she could not say she liked what it was showing her. “And what would constitute boring?”
“Demanding that I spare this city, or your life, or some such trite and trivial nonsense.” He waved a hand dismissively.
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. “Human lives are trite and trivial nonsense?”
“Yes.”
It was said with such finality and cold determination that it brought a shiver over her. She glanced away, unable to hold his gaze. It was too much to withstand. There was so much ice and stone behind it that she felt as though she were looking up at a mountain and asking it for pity. She might stand a better chance with the rock. “Then I shall strive to not be boring.”
“You are doing wonderfully so far.”
“I have done nothing but stand here and make an utter fool of myself. You have low expectations, Vampire King.”
It was his turn to laugh. “Perhaps.” He took a step toward her. “Perhaps not.”
She took a step back.
He grinned.
Summoning the best glare that she could under the circumstances, she tried to hold her ground. “Stop stalking me.”
“No.”
She stammered. That was not what she had been expecting. She grasped the fabric of her skirt in her gloved hands, needing something to do with them. “The accord, Count, is simply this—”
“Vlad.” He interrupted. “To you, I am only Vlad.”
“Very well.” She shook her head, not understanding why he, who clearly thought of himself as a grandiose and powerful figure, would wish her to refer to him by his first name alone. The throne room in which they stood told of a man who wanted people to fear and worship him. But that was not who stood in front of her. Overwhelming as he may be, he did not seem intent on terrorizing her any more than was clearly unavoidable. “Vlad. I propose that we agree not to lie to each other in the time that is to follow, however brief it may be, before you tear out my throat.”
His eyes flickered with something akin to eager excitement. “Oh?” he purred. “And why is that?”
“My abilities allow me to hear a lie as it is said. And yours allows you to see through mine, it seems—”
“No, you’re merely terrible at it.”
“I—I am not!” Now she was flustered, trying to defend her aptitude at an undesirable talent. “I—” She broke off in a frustrated growl.
He laughed. It seemed to fill the hall, resonating within the stones. It was a real laugh, pleasant and amused. When it faded, he was smiling. “Tell me, why should I agree to an accord with my enemy? And you are my enemy, no doubt. You consort with hunters who have come to end me.”
“From what they have told me, such things are not possible.”
“I can be killed. I merely do not stay that way.” He shrugged. “Tell me, my darling Maxine, what danger do you bring me? Why have the hunters sought you out?”
“I am no threat to you. I am an empath.” She did not fight the smile that brokered for freedom. “Unless you wish to be bored to death as I explain your current mood to you in excruciating detail.”
He grinned at her joke. “But they have come to you all the same. Why?”
She watched him for a moment. But she had offered to make this deal with him, and she wished him to trust her enough to speak the truth. “I give you this as a show of good faith. They want me to lead them to you and to sniff you out like a bloodhound using the brooch they gave me. It is through contact with that stone that I have brought us both