Free Forbidden Blood: A House of Comarré Novella by Kristen Painter Page A

stepped out of their rooms. Most stared at her as if she were a leper, but a few nodded as if they understood. As if they hoped they could be as brave.
    As if they wished she could fight for them.
    It buoyed her and when she finally stepped out the front door, her fear was gone, replaced by the calm of acceptance. What was to be would be.
    A passenger door on the waiting limo swung open and Dominic got out. “ Cara mia .” His smile broke with concern as he rushed to her side. Something unspoken danced in his eyes. “How are you?”
    “I’m well.” She nodded and smiled back, hoping to reassure him. “And ready. Did you sleep?”
    “No, but I used the time for good purposes. I have a plane waiting for us when this is over.” He took her bags and handed them off to the driver, who deposited them in the trunk; then Dominic ushered her into the car. “There is something I must tell you.”
    “Me first.” She put her hand on his arm, her smile never faltering. “If it doesn’t go well today—”
    “Do not say such things.”
    She squeezed his arm and let her smile fade. “Listen to me. This is important. If things don’t go well, take me with you. I don’t want to be buried here. I want to be somewhere free.”
    He swallowed but nodded. “ Si , I understand. And I promise you, I will.”
    “Thank you.” She stuck her arm out. “You should give me the serum now.”
    His face fell. “ Cara mia , that is what I wanted to tell you. The vial is gone, along with a few others I kept for personal use. All I can guess is that while we were incapacitated, Arnaud had my things searched. Anything that looked interesting, he took.”
    Her calm ebbed away. “So I am to face Arnaud with only what the holy mother has provided me with.” She nodded. “Very well. Perhaps that is how it should be.”
    He took her hands. “You can still do this.”
    “I have to. I have no choice.” She slid back in the seat until the cool leather pressed against the thin silk of her tunic and reminded her that she was not going into the fight completely unarmed. She reached behind to her waistband. “I do have this.” She pulled out the slim wooden dagger given to all Primoris Domus comarré.
    Dominic recoiled. “Holy magic. Just like Rennata’s sword.”
    She nodded. “All comarré weapons are hot. Our sacres are quenched in holy water and this”—she hefted the narrow blade in one hand—“this is Golgotha steel.”
    “I know what it is.” He kept his distance from it. “The things I could do with a sliver of the True Cross.” He laughed nervously. “I do not wish to touch it, though.”
    “Neither will Arnaud, but he won’t have a choice when it’s buried in his chest.” She tucked the blade under the front of her tunic and into the tight camisole she wore before settling back in her seat. Dominic reached over and took her hand. She let him, accepting the comfort and the support with a thankful heart. Even if he was a vampire, he was a good man and on her side. Better to go through this with him than alone. Just his belief in her made her stronger. For that, she would be forever grateful to him.
    She closed her eyes as the car wound through the streets of Corvinestri, taking them to Arnaud’s home. A thousand thoughts whirled through her mind, most of them trying to anticipate the fight.
    Dominic’s hand tightened over hers. “Marissa, we’re here.”
    The car slowed and she opened her eyes. Arnaud’s estate was a sprawl of weathered stone and climbing ivy. The house might have been enchanting had it belonged to someone else, but knowing who occupied its walls gave it a menacing air instead.
    With a deep breath, she climbed out of the car.
    The next few minutes passed in a rush. Arnaud’s servants pulled her away from Dominic and shuttled her to a small anteroom. She was scanned for metal and patted down, but with her flowing tunic, there was no chance of the Golgotha steel being detected in her snug camisole.