The book fell flat on the bed, and her eyes flew to the dresser. Sure enough, the phone Jelisette had given her was lighting up.
The door opened, banging against the wall.
Ryker loomed in the threshold.
Isvana help her, but Brynleigh’s core heated at the sight of him. She wanted him, even now, and she wasn’t sure what to do about that.
But this wasn’t the moment for desire.
He raked his hand through his hair, and his wide eyes landed on the dresser.
Grabbing the phone, he tossed it to her. “Answer it.”
As if she would do anything else. Keeping Jelisette waiting was a bad idea on any given day.
Brynleigh accepted the call, setting the phone to speaker. “Hello?”
“Tonight. The Rosewood.” Jelisette skipped pleasantries and went right to business, naming an elite club in the Southern Region that Brynleigh had been to a few times before.
“What do you need me to do?” Brynleigh asked.
She could almost feel Jelisette’s eyes roll.
“What I taught you, obviously,” the older vampire snarled. “Or did participating in the Choosing rob you of your ability to spill blood?”
Such a kind, loving, and compassionate Maker.
“Of course not,” Brynleigh said as calmly as possible. “I’ll do it.”
After all, she had no choice. Ryker’s deal dictated as much.
“Good. Your target is someone I’ve had my eye on for a while. He shouldn’t be a problem for you.” Jelisette paused, and the phone vibrated. “I’ve sent you the files.”
The call disconnected as quickly as it had begun.
Jelisette had never been a paragon of warmth, especially considering their line of work, but that was cold even for her.
Brynleigh turned the phone off as soon as the call disconnected, not yet prepared to look at the files. She usually did this part with Zanri, but now she’d have to do it alone.
A fresh sting of betrayal ran through her. How many more times would she have to feel the weight of what had happened? She couldn’t help but wonder about Zanri, though.
Did Owen, his on-again, off-again partner, know about his betrayal? Had he played a part in it, too?
More questions to ponder at a later date. There were so many fucking questions.
Right now, she had a fae captain to deal with.
His gaze drilled into her head, and she knew without seeing him that he was watching her.
Her cheeks heated. She lifted her eyes slowly, a little frightened of what she might see in his expression.
“It’s true.” Ryker’s eyes were wide with fascinated horror, a frowndigging into his face and marring his handsome features. “You’re going to kill someone. Forher.”
Brynleigh stared at him, trying to decipher the emotions she saw on his face. Was he… angry with her again? How fucking dare he? It wasn’t like she asked for this. This was what he wanted. This washisdeal.
“Yes, I am,” she bit out.
This world was kill or be killed. That was how Jelisette worked. No matter what, someone would be dying tonight, and it wouldn’t be Brynleigh. Not if she could help it.