Chapter 7

Vincent stepped out of the shadows, having heard the last few words of my phone call.

Clearly, he'd missed the rest of the conversation.

I turned around calmly, tapping my phone screen dark.

"One of my human lab assistants," I lied smoothly, my voice unhurried. "The hours were too demanding for her, so she resigned. She's leaving New York tomorrow."

Vincent watched me for a few seconds.

He had never concerned himself with his subordinates. Seeing it was just a human, the suspicion in his eyes vanished.

"Just an assistant. If she's gone, hire another."

He stepped closer, his tone returning to its usual arrogance. "The ceremony is almost here. You should be focusing on more important matters."

I lowered my eyes, offering no comment.

Four days left.

Vincent emerged from his study with a thick stack of photographs.

They were photos of Camilla in my couture wedding gown. He had actually had them printed.

Then, he took a video call from Camilla right there in the living room.

"I've had the ceremony venue decorated with the Lily of the Valley you like," Vincent said to the screen, his voice laced with a tenderness he seemed unaware of. "Get some rest these next few days."

I casually picked up a glass of blood-wine, took a sip, and said nothing.

Vincent looked at me, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something.

I gave the photos a cursory glance and offered a convincing smile. "That ice-silk gown really does suit her."

For two hundred years, I had dreamed of this moment.

I had imagined myself at our Unification Ceremony, arm in arm with the most powerful Prince in North America, accepting the fealty of thousands of vampires.

In the photos, the man in the dark, patterned formal wear, radiating a deadly allure, was the one I had been willing to sacrifice my long life for.

The only difference was that the bride by his side was not me.

Vincent looked completely stunned.

Finally, the alpha Prince was beginning to sense that something was wrong.

It had been a long time since I'd reached out to him through our private bond.

Even during the week he spent with Camilla in the Blood Springs of the Undercity, I hadn't sent a single accusatory message.

I was too calm, and that calmness stirred an unfamiliar panic in him.

Camilla was still chattering on the video call.

But Vincent's eyes were fixed on me, searching my placid gaze for any flicker of jealousy. He found nothing.

Two days left.

After a message from an informant, I went to the black market to acquire a batch of extremely rare materials for the Daylight Serum experiment.

Just as I stepped out of the market's dark alley, I ran into a familiar pair.

Vincent was being held up by a merchant selling rare magical artifacts.

Camilla followed me into the alley, blocking my path.

The alley was dimly lit. Away from Vincent, her pale face lost its fragile demeanor, replaced by an undisguised, taunting aggression.

"Elena," she said, her voice low and dripping with malicious glee. "How does it feel, watching the man you've loved for two centuries give the Mutual Blood Bond, a symbol of a shared life, to someone else?"

"Move," I said, my voice as cold as my eyes, tightening my grip on the case.

My time was precious. The experimental materials needed to be sealed away as soon as possible.

She grabbed my arm, refusing to let go.

"Don't waste your energy. So what if you were with him for two centuries?"

"He even let me wear the gown meant for you. On the day of the ceremony, I will be the one standing by his side."

My face was grim as I flung her hand off me. "I said, get out of my way."

But the instant my hand touched hers, a flash of vicious calculation crossed Camilla's eyes.

She went limp, using the force of my push to throw herself backward.

She crashed into a nearby stall laden with silver artifacts.

Sizzle...

The sizzle of pure silver searing flesh filled the air.

She clutched her burned arm and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

I froze.

I never imagined she would throw herself onto silver, a vampire's greatest weakness, just to frame me.

Instinctively, I took a step forward to check her injury, reaching out to help her up.

But in the next instant, Vincent teleported to her side, pulling Camilla protectively into his arms.

His crimson eyes locked on to me, blazing with fury.

"What did you do!"

"Apologize to Camilla. Now!"