Page 102 of Their Blood Queen

He’s going to kill everyone in our path, and then he’s going to take Scarlett no matter if she’s ready for us or not.

“Helia!” I roar.

The Monster City Queen should have responded to me by now, but she hasn’t. I don’t have time to wonder what the hell she’s doing that she can’t answer my summons, but I know I have precious seconds to decide what I’m going to do.

My reflection in the window overlooking the city grows as my beast takes control. My skin darkens with nightmares, and my eyes take on a fractured glow. My jaw unhinges as a wide maw yawns open, displaying sharpened teeth. My beast overcomes lucid thought, shoving one singular thought into my head.

Feed.

My beast will drain my city dry. He’ll devour everyone in his path and destroy everything I have built.

Oh, the irony—I have become my own worst enemy.

“No, beast,” I growl as my words lose form. My massive tongue isn’t made for talking; it’s made for tasting. For devouring and doing wicked things.

I won’t let him be wicked, not when it means the mate I have searched so long for will suffer.

If she’s better off without us, then so be it.

My beast can’t stop me as I use the last of my strength to propel us forward. The windows rush at me like a glimmering barrier. When I break through them, I dive inward.

I go to a place in the Dream Realm I’ve never ventured before. I find the nearest river of blood and throw myself into it.

My beast thrashes and roars as we slip under. Then blood is all I know. It’s not like real blood. It isn’t sticky or wet.

But it’s consuming.

It’s a place I don’t belong. But it’ll keep Scarlett safe.

I can’t speak anymore, but I think my last words as powerfully as if they were a prayer.

Don’t come looking for me, star. Stay safe. Stay… awake.

CHAPTER 28

SCARLETT

Sunlight kisses my cheeks, and I sigh. The sound exhales out of me with utter and complete contentment.

“Did you sleep well?” a male voice asks me, making me fling my eyes open.

Edward is leaning over me with a charming smile on his face. Guilt washes over me, even though I don’t feel like I have anything to feel guilty about.

Right?

My dreams have become stranger and more vivid as time has gone on. And it’s not like Edward has been by my side the entire time.

“Have I slept well?” I reiterate, bewildered by the insensitive question. “I’ve been asleep for days, haven’t I?”

His smile fades a fraction. “Yes. I’m afraid I, well.” His stormy blue eyes flicker with an emotion I can’t place. “I fucked up, Scarlett, and I apologize.”

My eyes widen. “How crass,” I mutter, even though I actually appreciate Edward showing me some genuine behavior for once. “Please, tell me how you fucked up,” I say as I manage myself into a sitting position. My skin feels like it has tiny pieces of glass embedded into it, and every movement slices me with fresh pain.

He sighs as he reaches out as if to touch my hand, then seems to think better of it. He doesn’t turn over his palm so I can see the mark that binds him to me. He makes a fist as if to hide it and bites his knuckle before replying. “You’re irresistible, Scarlett. But I shouldn’t have done what I did. You were scared. Pressed against me. Wet…” He says, then rakes his fingers through his hair as he looks at the ceiling. “I mean from the bath,” he clarifies. Although, I think he meant I was a different sort of wet.

Memories flood back of Edward tasting me.

Only to be replaced by what Figment-Cain did with his tongue.

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