Page 72 of The Blood Queen

CHAPTER 19

Grayson

I gripped Julien’s arm; he was trembling. “I apologize for the violation,” he said. “This is your house.”

“It’s hers, too. She can give permission.”

“I realized it was secret, sacred to you. But safest for her, being here.” His gravity had me glancing at Noa’s pale face. “Ago can track her through venom left in her damaged runes.”

“Ago’s dead,” I said between my teeth. “How are you injured?”

“Poisoned silver mixed with a witch’s brew.”

I moved his shirt aside to examine the wound. “When did you last feed?”

“Your lady was most attentive.” When I rocked back, a bristling, possessive male, Julien smirked. “She wanted to tell you of our affair months ago, but… alas…” His laugh turned into a cough. “You managed to sway her heart, turn her away from me.”

“Asshole.” I lowered his shirt as I spoke through our mental connection. Bedisa…

I’m sorry.

She rubbed at her wrist, where the faint fang marks were visible. She’d given of herself to save him.

No, I snarled through the bond. Don’t ever be sorry. You did what you had to do and I’m deeply grateful.

She hovered, her weight shifting. I wanted to pull her into my arms. Instead, I spoke loud enough for Julien to hear. He would understand the instructions I gave her.

“A burner phone is on the desk in the old house. Find the listing for client 4155 in contacts. When a woman answers, tell her you need an emergency withdrawal. Cash only. Delivered in person. They can track the location of the phone.”

When Noa disappeared into the house, I asked Julien, “Is there any reason Set shouldn’t be here?”

“Noa might want to vet her,” he said. “She’s not happy with Set.”

“Tell me later. Can you stand?”

Julien struggled upright, kept with me as we walked back to the house of memories, where Noa paced the kitchen, the burner phone clenched in her hand. Worry creased her features, tightened the skin around her eyes, but she’d never looked as beautiful as she did in the slanting afternoon light, pouring in through the old window and dancing over the silver in her hair. The stoic posture that said, don’t fuck with me.

I helped Julien lower his weight onto a wooden kitchen chair.

Noa glared as I straightened. “That was a vampire on the phone.”

“It was a banker,” I assured her.

“I recognized the hiss.”

“Where did you get the bow and arrows?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t change the subject, Grayson.”

She was bristling like a wet cat—gods, I loved this woman.

“Would you really shoot me?” I was genuinely curious.

Her beautiful mouth curved. “Right in your jackassery alpha ass.”

“I was coming to save you.”

“I saved myself.”

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