Forever Vampire

“Which makes me wonder what mommy dearest was supposed to get in return for the dress. I can’t imagine Zett would have been too generous, even for such a valuable dress.”

“Gown.”

“Whatever.”

Lyric was about to explain that her mother had gotten the immunity to step into Faery and take as she pleased, but then she stopped herself. As Vail had mentioned, faery items were of little value in the mortal realm.

Why did the Santiagos need to steal from Faery? True, they were nearly bankrupt, but it wasn’t as though any item taken from the Faery realm could be fenced to any but the sidhe. And sidhe currency had no value among the mortals.

“What’s going on in that pretty skull of yours?” Vail asked.

Lyric turned a discerning gaze to him. “I’m not sure anymore. I think you’re right. My mother is up to more than I can imagine.”

CHAPTER SIX

IT ALL HINGED on Vail gaining Lyric’s trust so she would eventually give him the gown. He knew she had it. An item so valuable as the gown would definitely stir up talk if it should surface with a fence or in the hands of a buyer.

Unless the vampiress had faery contacts? Hmm … he doubted it. Lyric and Zett as allies didn’t jive. And yet, what if they had previously met?

Why she was so tight-lipped about it was not hard to figure. She must view the gown as a bargaining chip or a means to a new start. Hell, from what he knew of the Santiago family, it wasn’t a place for anyone to grow up, let alone survive.

He could relate.

Which meant Vail had an idea how to win Lyric’s trust. Because sex was just that, a means to let off aggression and steam. To get off. It wasn’t going to enamor him to her. And anyone who believed trust was gained by sharing a bed and a few throaty gasps of pleasure was fooling himself.