Veil of Shadows by Marik Diana

Author:Marik, Diana
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-06-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-One

“I never eavesdrop on conversations when I’m evaluating a work of art. I don’t consider it professional. But when I heard your name and the words ‘assassination attempt’…” Miranda exhaled deeply. “I tried to catch as much of what they were saying, but through the oak doors, I was only able to hear bits and pieces.”

Remare heard the anxiety in Miranda’s voice and poured her a glass of Cabernet. Stealthily, he observed Miranda and Valadon as he cut his index finger with his thumbnail and let a few drops of his blood fall into the wine glass. His blood would soothe her stressed nerves due to the trauma she’d just experienced. And admittedly, he was curious to see what her reaction would be to his blood.

Miranda graciously accepted the drink from Remare, briefly meeting his gaze, before she sank farther into the plush couch. He studied her as she drank the wine.

Valadon rubbed her neck. “Take your time, Miranda.” His voice was soothing, hypnotic. “Try to remember anything you think might be important.”

“There were several voices—three males and one female; though I think there were more in the room.” She gazed at Valadon with a searing concern in her eyes. “There was hostility in all of them; I think that’s what made me listen initially. Their anger was palpable.”

Remare watched as Miranda rubbed her arms as if her skin had become infected with their rank animosity and finished her wine. “They fear you, Val. They really fear you. I heard one of them say you were becoming too powerful.” She set her empty glass down on the coffee table. “But overall…I had the impression it wasn’t so much that you’re a vampire…as it is you’re their strongest competitor.”

“In any business venture, when one becomes more prominent, there are always a select few who will try to subvert the one who is more successful.” Valadon met Remare’s eyes. “This isn’t the first time enemies have conspired against me.”

“You have to do something about this, Valadon. You didn’t hear those men.” Miranda stood and paced. “Make them understand you’re not a threat. Something. They’re going to use the fact that you’re a vampire against you.”

“Oh, we’ll do something, Mir-randa,” Remare said as he felt his eyes darkening. “We always do.” He smiled appreciatively, pleased that the wine had no ill effects on her. He wouldn’t tell her how they planned to deal with their enemies or that they already had a good idea who worked against them. His spies were already placed in the organizations that were most suspect. Valadon hadn’t risen to his current status by being unprepared for those who would see him vanquished. Miranda would be surprised at the extent he had gone to in the past to protect his people and all that he had built.

“We’ve survived threats for eons, Miranda,” Valadon reassured her. “We’ll survive this, as well.”

“I’ve been wracking my brain trying to remember who was missing downstairs.” Miranda continued pacing. “There was one voice.” She rubbed her forehead as if trying to remember.

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