I’d anticipated that Marco would be pissed with Imani. I’d anticipated that he wouldn’t go the night without speaking to her. And I’d anticipated that he would switch on the charisma to hide his anger. What I hadn’t anticipated was that Marco’s cold eyes would light up like a Christmas tree when they landed on Imani.

The guy might be somewhat sociopathic, but he wasn’t as dead inside as people believed. Something in him responded to Imani. His affectionate tone wasn’t false. His possessiveness was more than that of a Sire. He was genuinely proud of her for being recruited by Sam and Jared. And he was truly enraged with his second-born. So maybe Sam was right and he’d protected Imani from afar all these years.

Marco jerked his head at Tait, and she scurried from the hall. He then turned to Imani, and his features smoothed out into a much calmer expression. “You okay, sweetheart?”

That ‘sweetheart’ shit was getting on my nerves.

Imani gave a careless shrug. “No harm done.”

“Which is the only reason why she’s conscious,” he said. I believed him. Tait would have been on Shit Street if she’d wounded Imani.

“You should ensure your vampire understands there will be dire consequences if she touches Imani again,” Sam told him, wisps of energy slithering along her skin, which was a clear sign she was pissed. “Imani won’t be so gentle with her next time.”

“Nor will I,” said Marco. His eyes sliced to me. “You’re standing very close to my Imani, but you didn’t help her. You just stood back while she was attacked.”

I inwardly snorted. “Imani doesn’t need me to swat at annoying little flies for her. And if you thought differently, you really don’t know her at all.”

Jaw hardening, Marco took a step toward me, only to come to a complete halt when a tall vampire with a very old vibe about him appeared. Marco gave the vampire a deferential nod, so I had to assume it was Lazarus.

“I almost hope Tait misbehaves again just so I can see more of Imani in action,” said the new vampire.

Imani smiled brightly at him. “Well if it isn’t Zorro. How are you doing?” The guy really did look like Antonio Banderas in that movie, minus the mask.

Eyes gleaming, he replied, “I’m quite well, thank you. It has been too long since you were last here. But I will not scold you for that as I am too pleased to see you.” No one could miss the genuine and rather paternal affection that he had for her.

Leading us all away from Marco, he inclined his head at Sam and Jared. “Good evening, I am Lazarus. It is an honour to have you here.”

Imani introduced him to me and the rest of our squads, and we all exchanged brief greetings.

“I’m sorry about the reception you received from Tait, Imani.” Lazarus sighed. “I had hoped things would go much more smoothly.”

Imani shrugged. “It could have been worse.”

It could have been fucking better.

“I expect she feels threatened by your presence,” said Lazarus. “The reality is that Tait may behave as his first-born, but she wasn’t the catalyst that led to him beginning his own line.”

Sam nodded. “Seeing Imani is forcing her to face that reality.”

“Precisely.” Lazarus put a hand on Imani’s shoulder. “Despite that you left and severed your bond, Marco never disowned you. He still acknowledges you as not only one of his vampires but as his first-born.”

Imani’s nose wrinkled. “I don’t get that.”

Lazarus opened his mouth to speak again, but then a female voice loudly crooned, “My beautiful Imani.”

“Annalise,” Imani said to the shapely woman who cradled her face like it was made of fine bone China.

“I have missed you so.” Annalise gave Sam and Jared a gracious smile. “I’m sure you have been told this several times already, but we are incredibly pleased to have you here.” She lowered her voice. “I heard about Tait’s behaviour, Imani. I apologise on her behalf. She had no right to touch you.”

“Imani handled it quite well,” said Lazarus, clearly proud. “Tait was on the floor before anyone had the chance to intervene.”

If I was honest, watching Imani take down that bitch so easily had been damn hot.

“Good. Still, Marco should have more control over his vampires.” Annalise huffed in his direction. “Have you seen him with his two consorts? The three of them fancy themselves to be a couple.”

A chuckle burst out of Imani, and I had to stifle a smile. Annalise talked as though it was some big scandal. Hell, Jared had three consorts before Sam came along. Clearly Annalise was a little old-fashioned.

Imani was wrong, Jared told me telepathically as Imani introduced Annalise to me and the other squad members. Marco feels something for her. I think he really has been protecting her.

Nodding at Annalise in greeting, I replied to Jared, I agree. I didn’t want to be thankful to Marco for anything. But if that shithead had played a part in keeping her alive all these years, I was grateful to him. I still wanted to slit his throat.

We thought he’d be dramatically pissed because she escaped his hold. He’s angry, but he’s not as angry as what he should be.

That was something else I agreed with.

Sam and I have been discussing it. Obviously he meant telepathically. Her theory is that Marco’s never felt like Imani escaped him. He wasn’t just watching over her to protect her, he was keeping tabs on her; he’s always known where she was, what she was doing, and who she was doing it with. In that sense, he remained linked to her in his own way.

I stilled. Knowledge is power. Being so aware of every aspect of her life made him feel like he had some control over her.

Exactly. I think he might have even believed Imani would come back to come when she was ready; that she just needed time to adjust and cool down. She stayed away for many years, but when life is eternal, years don’t seem very long.

It would explain why he never renounced her. He’d been waiting for her to return and claim the position that was rightfully hers. He probably sees her time in the legion as her spreading her wings and having some fun before she takes up the mantle.

Yep. He hasn’t took his eyes from her since she walked away. You should be careful.

Everything in me bristled. I’m not afraid of that fucker.

I know you’re not, and I don’t expect you to be. But he’s clearly obsessed with her. He’s noticed your possessiveness and he doesn’t like it. In a duel, you could take him. But I don’t think he’d challenge you. I think he’d attack you from afar before you had the chance to defend yourself.