“There you are, my sweet Xeraphine.”
The voice is what clears my vision, and as Alaric comes into full focus, I press deep into the flesh under my nails. He lets out an unpleasant growl, and just as I’m preparing to pull him apart, he jerks away. Unfortunately, my dominant hand grips tight, holding him in place. I go for a strike with my free hand, and I’m honestly surprised he was capable of dodging it. His head was saved but his arm isn’t, because I yank, and with a swift kick, tear it from his torso.
He crashes hard against the furthest surface, hissing a scream through his clenched teeth.
My heart races, my breath coming in heavy bursts as I quickly take inmy surroundings. I’m on a boat, but this can’t be the same one I was on. It’s far too small. I was confined to no more than two rooms, but even though the medical bay was cramped, it was at least double the size of this portion of the deck.
Then… I smell him.
Cinnamon…
I’m rushing to my feet, tossing Alaric’s severed arm overboard and attempting to brush past him when he grabs me tight. “Xeraphine, wait.”
My fist connects with the side of his jaw, loosening his grip enough for me to pull away and hiss. “Where?—”
“NO! KAIRHYSE!”
A force unlike anything I’ve ever felt consumes me completely. I swear I take only a single step before I find myself standing beside Chase. His body is half shifted into his shark form, jaws poised to snap down on Kairhyse.
“Get… off of him.”
No…notmyprincess…
She’s staring at me with terror in those vampiric irises, and I swear I could bring this boat down to the depths of the sea.
I’m on my feet, already moving toward the Vampire who isfuckingdead, when Sydni jumps in front of me. “Wait, wait! Listen, please, Phiny-bear. Niyla saved me.”
My teeth grind together, but I can’t tear my gaze away from the woman with brown skin and deep red eyes; which slowly lower, and I wonder—is she accepting her fate?They must have made her well aware of what was coming for her when I returned.
Gripping Sydni’s shoulder and move her aside, I prepare to sever Niyla’s head, when a tight grip holds me in place.
I turn to find it’s my princess, her hand anchoring me beside her. Her sorrowful gaze locks with mine, and my breath quickens in response.
I shake my head, but she furrows her brows, silently pleading with me to stop. No part of me wants to give in, because I know exactly what being her creator means.
Tearing my arm from her, I dart toward the Vampire.
“Xera!” Sydni’s shriek is followed by silence.
All I can hear is the pounding of blood in my ears as I stop, my nailsjust barely puncturing Niyla’s neck. She leans back, her skin trembling, eyes blown so wide I can’t even see the red anymore.
A shaky breath escapes her lips, and I hiss through my teeth, “I don’t do forgiveness. I’m not kind. If anything… I’m less so now. But because she asked me to spare you… I’ll consider it. Just know Icanandwillend you.”
I lean in closer, her head tilting slightly downward, and whisper, “Even think about controlling her?—”
“I… would never.”
“And I don’t believe you,” I seethe. “Keep your fucking hands off her.”
I step back, and Niyla rolls her head around on her shoulders.
My gaze shifts to Brice who has his eyes trained elsewhere, and myfuckingguess is on Sydni.
A nauseating feeling settles in my stomach, the realization hitting me that the two of them—him and Alaric—being on this boat is no coincidence. As if he senses my gaze, he shifts to meet my eyes.
“You’re naked,” he says, keeping his eyes respectfully on my face. Though I suspect it’s more out of fear that if he looks anywhere else, I’ll attack.
“I’m aware.”
