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Collins’ eyes briefly glistened with anger "Actually, I’ht feel pressured or intimidated if you are nearby" His tone was pleasant, but his eyes were cold "You don’t have a probleave the bloke a sad smile that said, ‘Oh you really don’t wanna play like that with Jared’ My aames a mile away Two, he had absolutely no tolerance for them And three, he knew exactly how to handle people who played them

"Why would it be a problem?" Jared looked sincerely confused – it was a total slap down, an implication that for Collins to be a problem, Jared would have to actually care Translation: ‘You’re not i fk what you do’ For soht they were extremely important, it had to have chafed Collins’ face turned crier as heJude approached with Ava and Cristiano "Tell hed "I wish I could" As Antonio appeared beside ht, what’s the deal with these two? Please tell rim expression confirmed that it wasn’t

Cristiano, who came to my other side and shot me a brief look of concern, asked Antonio, "Seriously, is all this for real?"

"I’m afraid it is," replied Antonio sadly

"But you don’t believe there’s been a co me close to him and, in effect, away from Cristiano

"If there has, I do not believe it has come from the squad"

"Then who?" Ava asked Antonio

"As the Heir’s mate, Sam will always have enemiesIf these people cannot harm her physically, they will hurt her in other ways"

That would have happened in any case I had a talent for offending people "I’m pretty sure the answer is no, but I have to ask if there’s any chance you can put this crap to an end?"

"I am sorry, Sam, but for the Prelature to be impartial, it has to be immune to all authority One of e it, and that did not end well If I was to interfere, it would look bad for you – as though you are not confident that their decision will clear your name Fredrick would certainly see it as such"

"Not to be a bitch, Antonio…but what possessed you to choose hio when he came to me with evidence of not only the existence of va one Back then, people were much more superstitious and they often staked perfectly innocent humans ere simply ill Collins promised to withhold the evidence if I Turned hiuided, very unhappy because he did not feel that he fit aa vampire helped ed because his gift is not very substantial and the Keja hypnotic beauty could not h that women desired him He wanted them to adore him, need hi was ever good enough for hi ever fulfilled him Some vampires within the nest that I was part of back then were siroup I did not hear froh Master He came here, liked what he saw, and asked to stay But when it became apparent that he expected to be made Heir simply because he was the first vas did not work that way Offended and angry, he left This is the first time I have heard from him since then"

After a short pause, Jared spoke "Would helike this up out of jealousy? ISam just because I have the position he wants?"

Antonio pursed his lips as he considered that "Collins can be sli like this as he is a stickler for rules I will contact the Prelature and find out if this is an authentic coive theainst you You are a fantastic commander – we all know that You do not need to act any differently than you normally do But…try not to kill Collins or Eloise, that’s all"

"I can’t make any promises" I went to head back to the Coulfed mine "No more work" There were then familiar flutters in my stomach as he teleported us away We reappeared on a narrow path in the rainforest He shrugged "You wanted to take Dexter for a walk – or a slither, whatever"

This wasn’t about Dexter, though This was Jared trying to keepover us I could sense that he was just as angry as I was, but he was doing his best to put it aside so he could cal Dexter was currently twined around my waist, I peeled up e’ was enough totattoo beco was presently pearl-white, indicating that he was excited Of course he was excited – he loved being in the rainforest, hunting for food

Dexter’s tongue briefly flicked aze landed on Jared Dexter shot him what could only be described as a ‘mind how you step’ look Jared sian slithering along the ground

"I can’t believe all this is really happening"

Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, Jared pulledthe narrow path in the sa "You know the squad aren’t behind this, don’t you?"

"Of course I do But it doesn’tthat I would soon be ruling all va the position of commander anyway But the point at play was that if Collins’ report recoer have the support of the Prelature Without that, no Prelate would be prepared to perform the Coronation As such, there would be no ascension In addition, people ain be wary of h to lead my squad and that I exploited them