Free Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole

him of my feelings for you. He was angered.” But not toward the very end. Then he’d seemed detached, unaffected by what had taken place between them.
    “The bloody Prince of Shadow,” Cas said. “Angered. What have I done?”
    “How did he get past my warding spell in the first place?” She’d been completely vulnerable. What if he’d had ill intent? Her hand went to her throat. Could theVrekeners get in at will? That spell had been in place since the castle had been built—was it expiring?
    “The vampire turned to mist,” Cas absently said. “He’s got centuries of experience foiling barriers. I was certain he could get to me.”
    “Mist! Vampires!” Salem exclaimed. “You two are talkin’ about a Dacian ?”
    “He told me his name was Daciano,” Bettina said. “What exactly is a Dacian? I thought they were the Horde’s boogeymen. Super-vampires of legend.”
    Cas muttered a harsh curse. “They are secret . Anyone who knows of them dies! I’ll not speak of this in front of Salem.”
    “As if I can’t find out all soon anyway,” Salem said. “I’m a phantom . Well, a sylph. Don’t you two understand that there’re no secrets kept from Salem? None.” He addressed Bettina. “Like when the princess noshed hallucinogens last year at a—what do the mortals call it?— rave .”
    How could he know that?
    To Cas, he said, “Or what you did wiv those two Lykae sisters one full moon? Almost lost a hand that night, yeah?”
    Cas swallowed uncomfortably, looking shamefaced. What happened with the she-wolves?
    “Fine. You know things,” Cas said. “But how can we be assured that you haven’t been telling all this to Raum?”
    “Because Raum has two gears: jolly and furious—bear hug or battle-ax to the brain. He can’t hide reactions. Now, you two, decide: Salem as ally or enemy?”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Why do you want to be involved in our lives if not to tell Raum all you learn?”
    “Because I can’t fight, eat, drink, sleep, or wank. It’s difficult to get a leg over when you don’t have legs ! I want in on the intrigue! Now, demon, what did you do?”
    Bettina sank down on her settee. “Oh, for gold’s sake, Cas, just tell him.”
    With a grated sound of irritation, he said, “I left . Once you enter Dacia, you can’t leave without special permission. It’s granted very rarely for native Daci—and never to kingdom newcomers.”
    “Did no one tell you these rules?” she asked.
    “I thought I could get around them, or that my sponsor would call the dogs off. At worst, I believed I’d have sanctuary here. I never told them I was from Abaddon, still don’t know how their killer reached me here so quickly. He can’t have ever been here before.” Cas rubbed his palm over his face. “And how in the gods’ names did he find you?”
    “I have no idea. I just woke up and there he was.”
    Cas cast her a puzzled look. “How could he leave if his blooding wasn’t completed?”
    When Bettina studied her hands in her lap, tension rolled off him, so strong she gazed up again. Never had she seen him so furious. Even Salem had begun to blur the air with his anger.
    “He forced you?” Cas grated. “I will gut him before he ever has a chance to strike at me!”
    “No! It wasn’t like that.”
    Salem snapped, “Then what was it like?”
    Taking a deep breath, she said, “I was tipsy. I thought he was Cas.” Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. “I was . . . receptive.”
    Cas drew his shoulders back. “You couldn’t tell that it was another?” he demanded, clearly affronted.
    “The room was dark! And we weren’t doing much . . . talking. But no permanent damage has been done. I’m still a virgin. Just perhaps a jot more educated .”
    Cas reached forward, lifting her gold collar. “At least he didn’t bite you.”
    She recalled how hard Daciano had fought not to. I will never hurt you. . . . “He stopped himself when he saw I was upset.”
    “A very