Page 24 of The Star's Sword
“It is,” I said, surprised and a little impressed against my will.
“Hm. Probably murderous,” Vasara said, nodding to herself. “The Drorren screw everything up. Disgusting creatures, even worse than usual demons.”
I bit the inside of my cheeks. “Aren’t you going to be saving demons though?”
Vasara stood, looking at me like she didn’t have the slightest idea what I was talking about. “What do you mean? I love demons.”
“You just said the Drorren ruin—”
“No one would believe you,” Vasara said firmly, cutting me off and staring at me with oddly empty eyes.
“What do you mean?”
A smirk curved her lips. “I don’t know what you think you heard me say, Cleo. But I promise if it comes down between the two of us, no one will believe you. So I wouldn’t criticize me at all if I were you.” She looked out at the enclosure, reaching out to touch it and then deciding against it again, letting her hand fall. Her eyes met mine, hard and icy. “I would just give up on the Morningstar gambit altogether.” Her eyes sized me up. “I’m stronger than a stray like you can comprehend.”
“Wh-What?”
“Wh-what what?” She mocked me with her tone. “What’s wrong with you, little Cleo?” she mocked. “Cat got your tongue? Or are you illiterate like the dog you are?”
I took a step back from her, hand on my sword in case this progressed past insults.
She’s getting a bit weird, I told Samael in my mind.
“What is that weird expression you’re making? Tell me immediately.”
She advanced on me, and even though something in me sensed I was much stronger, I drew back.
I just didn’t like her, somewhere very deep in my core.
And the way she’d spoken of the Drorren, and demons, didn’t sit well with me.
Though I knew the relationship between the demons and the celestials was tense.
“Besides,” she said, getting closer in my face, her breath icy like the arctic, almost as cold as her voice. “I don’t have to love demons to be the Morningstar. I just have to have the most power. And I do. And I will. So sit back, little demon dog, and watch an angel vampire do the real work.”
“I don’t believe you,” I said. “I know you’re lying. So why are you doing this? Attention? Because I can feel the way you hate beings like me in your every move and word.”
She sneered. “I care about many other kinds of creatures, all who could benefit from a change up to this ridiculous system. There are shifters and fae and celestials and vampires all involved in this struggle for power. Don’t forget that, demon-loving scum.” She turned on her heel. “And don’t forget, if you tell anyone, well, let’s just say not only will no one believe you, but it’s bad for your rep to go against me. So don’t.”
“Why?” I spat at her as she walked away the way we’d came. “What will you do? Dance me to death?”
“I could have told you how to tame that unicorn at least,” Vasara said. “Now, however, I won’t.”
“Cleo has me for that,” a voice said suddenly, and I turned to see Zadis landing behind me. I wondered how long he’d been overhead. He could be so quiet when flying.
“And me,” Samael called, jogging over to the enclosure, probably responding to my bond.
Vasara looked at both of them, the golden-brown, curly-haired, severe-looking Samael and the dark haired, emerald eyed, striking fae prince, and pursed her lips irritably. “It’s just not fair how many gorgeous men you have around you. And you don’t even know how to use them.”
My brows firmed together in rage. “I don’t use my friends. Or my lovers.”
She shrugged and turned to leave again. “Your loss.” She looked at Samael. “Mmm. Ninth realm power. I can feel it from here.” She put her hand out and shuddered slightly. “It’s buzzing in the air.” She smirked. “Even with your demon blood, it’d be worth it.”
Samael cocked his head, staring down his nose at her from my side, moving slightly in front of me and partially blocking my view with his large shoulders. “Even if you paid me, I’d rather kill myself.”
Vasara gasped at the air, she was so shocked by his words. “I’ll tell your father.”
Sam moved quickly to her, caught her by the collar and got in her face. He sniffed her then shoved her away, rougher than he was with most women. But with Vasara being Vasara, I got it. He didn’t want to touch her longer than he had to.
