“Why did we stop here?” Sydni asks, moving quickly over to Xera and standing beside her. “Change in the plan?”
“No,” Mister says.“Everyone will need to feed from Xeraphine.”
Xera pops out her hip and rests her hand onto it. “We couldn’t do it inthe hotel, we saw where that got us last time, Princess.”
Sydni’s cheeks flush with a bright pink.
“Even me…?” I’m not entirely surprised at the shock that lines Niyla’s tone. Her eyes flick to me for a brief moment, full of questions, before they drop to Mister.
He is filling in everyone on the details for Xera, which I cannot help but find endearing in some way.“Kayn’s connections say that Tali isn’t in Sidence right now, however, the plan is to draw her there. Xeraphine’s blood should give you all a… boost. It won’t be much, considering you haven’t fed like Kairhyse has on her, but it will be enough to accelerate your healing if you are injured.”
“Do I get a taste?” Kayn says through a chuckle.
Xera grumbles. “You don’t need it, old shit.”
“Brice and Alaric, you as well.”
The Werewolf laughs, a hearty, loud one. “That isn’t happening.”
“Her blood doesn’t work like that with my kind.” Alaric also isn’t on board with the idea.
Mister clears his throat, and I can’t believe a cat just did that.“It will also counteract if Tali gets her hands on you and attempts to influence your actions.”
Xera has her eyes trained down at Mister, not looking at any of them.
“Sydni, you first.”
Xera rolls up her sleeve and shoves her wrist at her best friend. Sydni looks at me, almost as if confirming with me that it’s alright. I simply nod, because if my little demon says to do it, then they shall.
Then, as though lining up for their plate at dinner time, Sydni feeds, taking three large gulps, then Niyla.
“Brice.”Mister calls for the man who has a full set of combat clothes on. He looks straight out of a military magazine.
He growls and it’s only when Sydni edges him over, does he finally move to Xera. He towers over her, and grabs onto her forearm, squeezing so that her blood pours from her wrist. He draws his tongue across it, coating it in the crimson liquid, before dropping her and walking away.
Alaric doesn’t wait to be commanded. “I don’t think it will counteract Tali for me in the same way, Mister.” He goes to grab Xeraphine’s wrist, but she withdraws it. She lifts her opposite arm, and cuts herself open with her nail before jetting it up toward his face.
“Take more than Brice did,” she commands.
The Fallen sighs, and wraps his lips around her wrist. I hate seeing him touch her, and I just know that feeling will never go away. If it weren’t for the bored expression on her face, I’d likely not be capable of standing herewatching.
I don’t likeanyonetouching her. Fucking sue me. Brice pissed me off equally, and so did Niyla. Sydni… well, she’s fine.
Once he steps away, I move to her side and grab her around her waist, pulling her roughly to my side. She puts her hand onto my back and leans her head to the curve of my chest. I’m not entirely sure what I’m expecting, but silence isn’t it.
Mister crosses over to my shoulder where he sits. His front paws situate between his back ones, perfectly balancing himself as though I’m a damn tree branch.“Sidence Tower is heavily guarded, but that is where Lars is.”His tail smacks my face, and I narrow my gaze at him. “Main objective, don’t die.”
I told Xera about the butt plug, I’m sure he isn’t super happy with me right now.
He then addresses Sydni,“You stick right to Kayn’s side. He is to keep you safe.”
“I don’t even understand why she’s coming,” Niyla says, no hint of anything but a genuine statement.
“It’s the safest place.” Xera finally speaks. “She has to stay with us—with me—because Taliknowswhat will hurt me. She knows Sydni’s significance to me, and since she can’t kill Kai, she’ll go after her.”
Niyla hums. “That makes sense…”
“This isn’t some fucking movie; not some stupid detective cartoon show where wesplit up. We stick together.” I now understand why Mister had done all the talking up until this point. Her nerves are spilling through her words. “I’ll drop everything to get to Sydni, but I can’t do that when we are states away!”
