Such was the nature of creatures of the night�a nature that could only be mitigated by a skilled witch, and only by vampires that could afford one.

Through spells and enchantments that enhanced their powers and muted their limitations, witches allowed vampires to live as humans in all the ways that mattered most, sparing them the agony of an immortal life in a dank cave or tunnel, hunting one another like so many of the wraith-like creatures Dorian had encountered when he�d first been turned. Such creatures could never venture into the light, never taste human food, never love.

In return, a family of witches who bound themselves to a vampire line received protection, housing, more money than they could spend in a lifetime, and unlimited access to one of the most magical ingredients in the known world�vampire blood.

But as much as it burned Dorian�s balls to admit it, Duchanes was right. Aside from selling him the occasional one-off spell or hex, there wasn�t a witch on the entire eastern seaboard suicidal enough to align herself with House Redthorne.

Dorian couldn�t blame them. The last Redthorne witch hadn�t survived past her twenty-third birthday.

Memories of his brutal failures wrapped their cold fingers around his heart, but he wouldn�t give Duchanes the satisfaction of showing a shred of vulnerability.

"I appreciate your concern," Dorian said evenly. "But we�re not seeking an alliance at this time. Now if you�ll excuse me, I�"

"But I thought� Well, this is awkward. Malcolm assured me you�d be on board. Did he not speak with you?" He furrowed his brow in confusion, but the smug satisfaction dripping from his tone said it all.

He knew damn well Malcolm hadn�t discussed this with Dorian. Knew damn well the revelation would drive another nail into the coffin of the brothers� already fraught relationship.

Next time aim for the heart, Mac. You�ll kill me faster that way.

Dorian gripped his drink so tightly, his fingertips turned white. No wonder Malcolm was so keen on pushing an alliance earlier; from the sound of it, he�d all but signed on the dotted line.

"Malcolm has neither the experience nor the authority to make deals for House Redthorne," Dorian said, fighting to keep the bitterness from his tone. Then, with a smile that belied his anger, "But I�ll bring your proposition to my family for proper consideration."

And prompt dismissal, you arrogant dick.

Before another calculated response could slip from Duchanes� greasy lips, Dorian set his glass on the bar, turned his back on the bloodsucker, and stalked off in search of the only thing that could salvage an otherwise dreadful night.

Safely out of view, Charley leaned against the door inside the study, blinking back tears of relief. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, her limbs trembling and hot.

Holy. Shit.

She couldn�t believe she�d taken it so far.

A million five? What was she thinking? Christ, Rudy would�ve had her executed if she called for a wire transfer like that. Her bids were primarily for show�all part of blending in, except on the rare occasion when Rudy wanted a piece for his personal collection. Sure, she would�ve loved to nab the Egyptian piece for Sasha�her sister was as obsessed with ancient art as she was with vampires�but even that was a fantasy. A million dollars, fifty-five thousand� For Charley, it was all the same.

Completely unreachable.

But something had overtaken her tonight, breaking through all the rules and boundaries that were supposed to keep her safe and on point.

It was that damned man. She couldn�t keep her head straight around him. Each time she told herself to walk away, something about him lured her right back in again�a dark magnetism she couldn�t escape.

From that first sighting in the lobby, he�d ignited something dangerous inside her.

Something that made her want to play with fire.

Fitting, since Rudy would burn me at the stake if he found out about this.

Thankfully, the stranger was a fighter. Charley had to admire his grit. She�d only intended to tease him, to up the stakes in a game he obviously enjoyed�okay, and maybe screw with that Duchanes asshole in the process�but her competitive streak took over, driving her to keep pushing, pushing, pushing. JrNovels.com