“Inside.” Richard pointed to the doors. Anton swung them open, and all three followed him. Kristina’s scent layered over everything. He could pick up the traces of their lovemaking—the sweet decadence of her arousal—and practically taste her on his tongue.

A fresh wave of anger crashed through him. He didn’t slow his pace until he reached the bar. He poured a three fingers of brandy into one glass and tossed it all back with a swallow. Shutters blockaded every window, providing them with a safe refuge from the desert heat and dangerous sunshine.

“Your Highness, my cousin called to tell me about the Lady Kristina…”

Holding up a hand, the prince silenced him. “What can you tell me about the Midnight Mystery Lounge?”

Planting both hands on the back of a sofa, Frederick leaned forward. “Malcolm and his bride would know more, but I’ve done some homework. The casino does not own the theatre and lounge outright. In fact, no one knows who owns the Midnight Mystery Lounge. The stage manager, however, is in charge of the whole operation.”

“Heidi.” Richard pulled the name from the conversation with Malcolm.

“Yes. I know even less about her than I do the theatre itself. Security is minimal on the surface, but it is tied into the casino’s private security—a combination of wraiths and weres. I wouldn’t recommend going head to head with them.”

He didn’t plan to challenge the casino directly. To do that, he would need to kill Andrew and put Las Vegas under his thumb. He didn’t have months to put together his plan, but if he needed to absorb the territory, he would. “What do you know about Heidi?”

“She lives in the theatre somewhere. She rarely if ever leaves it. In the months that I’ve been here, I think I’ve see her twice.” Frederick blew out a breath. “I have no idea what the hell she is. I thought a witch maybe—”

“Did you scent her?” Richard poured himself a second drink. The guardian at the door had no scent. Kristina’s scent carried subtle alterations, as did her blood. The curse was one explanation, but the weakness he sensed—the starvation. Was that the curse or something else?

“Never got that close. Lots of rumors about her. Rumors about soul stealing, puzzle boxes, transformations and manipulations. She also has some kind of demon pet—which is what made me think witch.” His discomfort apparent, the younger vampire straightened, fists clenching as though trying to keep himself from fidgeting.

“Is there a problem, Frederick?” He swirled the drink around.

“A lot of people know you’re here, Prince Richard. A lot of people, and there is a rumor that you will be challenging Prince Andrew—and a betting pool began.”

Of course it did, because why else would the Prince of New York leave his city for the hellish oasis in the middle of the desert? He took a long drink of the alcohol, the burn quenching the knots of tension in his gut.

“Do not let it trouble you. But I need you to do something for me…”

“Anything.” He was almost too eager, and the flash of a wince in his eyes answered Richard’s unspoken question. Frederick had orders where he was concerned. Orders from the masters he now served.

“Get close to this Heidi. Find her weak points, places I can negotiate.” He wanted him to do another task, but that would be impossible now. Not when he served dual masters.

“If you wish, Your Highness. I’m not sure how close I can get to her, my job…” The younger Reynolds trailed off at Richard’s bland look and bowed his head. “I will do my best, sir.”

“Good and one more thing.” He stopped the vampire from leaving. “Read the message David has.”

Frederick cut a look toward the bodyguard and the card he held. “I’m not sure I should…” He spun and raced for the door, but Anton pinned him before he made it out. The younger vampire struggled, but he was no match for the much older Anton to contain and pin against the wall.

Richard contained his disappointment. Swirling the drink in his glass, he nodded to David. “Give him the card.”

The second bodyguard approached and Frederick’ efforts to escape redoubled. “Please, sir—”

Saying nothing, Richard merely waited him out. Anton shackled one of Frederick’ wrists and forced the palm open, leaning his shoulder and hip into the other man to keep him still. David lowered the cardstock, and Frederick yelped. “It’s a trap sir. It’s challenge from Prince Andrew.”

David froze, the card not quite touching the boy who should be a man.

“So why is it such a problem for you, Frederick? If it’s a challenge, surely your masters won’t let you accept it anyway…”

“Malcolm. You left Malcolm in charge. I’m his representative here—sort of—it can be argued that if I touch it and accept it, then he must fulfill the blood duel.”

The logic was sound, almost rational. “Andrew cannot challenge me until three full sunsets have passed.” He had time, particularly since he arrived after sunset last night.

“Perhaps not, but there’s a rumor the Arcana Royale may leave Las Vegas for a reservation in New York and…”

Richard laughed and shook his head. “You’re an idiot. The Overseers will not move their entire operation—nor would it matter if they did—as they cannot operate it within the boundary of the island of Manhattan, not when many of their clientele cannot cross water.” He drained his drink and held out his hand to David. Anton continued to keep Frederick captive while David passed the card to Richard.

Scanning the information, the vampire prince sighed. “It is an invitation—but not to combat. But thank you for the information that Andrew is planning something and the Overseers are encouraging the rumors.” Why shouldn’t they? If the princes of two cities came into conflict, a lot of profit stood to be made—particularly for a third party.

Frederick sagged. “I’m sorry. I thought—”

“No, you didn’t think, but then that is why you are in this situation. Do as I bid you. Get close to the stage manager. Learn everything and tell me before you tell the masters holding your leash.”

“But they might find out.”

The younger cousin of his oldest and closest friend or not, Frederick Reynolds had a great deal to learn. “Then remember you only serve them for a century. After that you return to my court—and my city.”

Frederick swallowed. “Yes, sir.”

“Show him out, Anton.” He tossed the invitation down and stared at the were-bear rug Kristina wiggled her toes against. “You two may retire for the day.”

Less than a minute later the two were gone. The card stock invitation announced a special show for one week only—featuring Kristina as the lead dancer—and his presence was requested. He didn’t recognize the handwriting, but he expected this was their answer to his five-million-dollar offer.

Picking up the phone, he dialed Malcolm’s number and the man answered on the first ring. “Malcolm, my apologies for calling so late in the morning. But I need to speak to your bride…”

He heard a murmuring and rustle of sheets and then a soft, breathless feminine voice said a tentative hello.

“Can you tell me what happens…exactly…when the curse activates during the daylight hours?”

“I can try.” The woman sighed. “I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone.”

“I understand this may be difficult.” He owed Malcolm’s bride that much respect, but he needed the answer. He needed to understand.

“It’s not painful. It’s cold and it’s lonely. You are you one moment and then you are in a gray place—alone—no sense of time or place or even self. It’s not sleeping, and I never dreamed. But I know one of the others did…”

“Kristina?” The daylight slumber of vampires was sometimes dreamless, but only in the first few years for the turned. Those born—like he and Malcolm—always dreamed.

“No. Her name is Cerveau. She dreams. A great deal, but she never told us what happened in the dreams. I used to tease her that she made it up, but maybe she didn’t.”

“And when you wake? What do you feel then?”

“I—it’s like being turned back on. The rush to the senses can be a little overwhelming at first. But you don’t really feel the passage of time. It’s more like you step from that one moment you were in when you went to sleep to the next, when you are awake.”

“And no pain?” As little comfort as the idea brought him, he wanted her to feel no pain.

“No physical pain. Of course, when you do it in front of someone you love, it hurts you to hurt them.”

The sadness in Kristina’s gaze, the faintest glimmer of horror and tears in her eyes as the polished white sheen took over her body and froze her features.

She still loved him.

Relief flooded through his soul. She may not remember him. She may be trapped in that limbo. But she still cared…

“I don’t know how this can help you.” Malcolm’s bride sighed. He appreciated the candor and the sympathy.

“Tell me, do you know why she was cursed?”

“No.” The answer disappointed.

“Is it likely the stage manager will tell me if I ask her?” He carefully avoided using the woman’s name. Malcolm indicated his bride and Heidi seemed friendly.

“Only if she really wants to but—” Her hesitation to complete the thought warned him of her concern. Her nails drummed against a wooden surface. “What Heidi knows, Minion almost certainly does and she and Kiki are really close. Minion also adores shiny objects, toys and chocolate…”

So the pet demon can be bribed…

“Sir, I know you want to help Kiki, but please don’t hurt Minion. She’s crazy and unpredictable and completely without a malicious bone in her body. I can try to send Kiki a text, Minion always reads her phone, but that might alert Heidi, and I don’t know what they would do.”