Chapter 9 - THE SERPENT'S INVITATION
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The truce on the East Coast shattered three days later when an ornate black envelope arrived at my estate.
Arthur brought it to my breakfast table on a silver tray.
"It's from Don Moretti," Arthur said grimly.
"He's hosting the Annual Autumn Syndicate Gala at the Plaza Hotel this Saturday."
"Every family from Boston to Miami will be attending."
I sliced into my steak without looking up.
"Burn it."
"Declan, there is an addendum written on the back," Arthur added, his jaw tightening.
I set my silver knife down and took the heavy cardstock from the tray.
Written in Moretti's looping, arrogant handwriting were three sentences:
Bring the little nightingale who cleans your mirrors, Declan.
The whole coast wants to meet the woman who made the Knox King abandon his own throne.
If she doesn't appear on your arm, the families will assume you've grown soft and cowardly.
A lethal stillness settled over the dining room.
Across the table, Clary lowered her teacup, her face losing its color as she caught the dark shift in my expression.
"What does it say?" she asked quietly.
"Moretti wants to use you to test my resolve," I replied, tossing the card into the fire burning beside the mantle.
"He thinks you are my weakness."
"Am I?" she whispered, her eyes searching mine with shocking courage.
I stood up, walking around the mahogany table until I was towering over her chair.
I reached out and gently tilted her chin upward with my thumb and forefinger.
"You are not my weakness, Clary."
"You are the only thing in this miserable city that has made me feel alive in ten years."
Her breath caught, her lips parting slightly under my intense gaze.
"Then take me with you," she said, her voice steadying with sudden resolve.
Arthur looked alarmed.
"Declan, the Plaza will be crawling with Moretti's hitmen and crooked politicians."
"Taking Clary into that viper's nest is suicide for her."
"Nobody touches what is mine," I declared, my thumb brushing lightly across Clary's soft cheekbone.
"Call Madame Laurent in Manhattan."
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"Tell her to design a gown fit for a queen."
"If Moretti wants to see my nightingale, I will show him a woman who will make his entire bloodline tremble."
