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I huffed at his joke, but the levity faded fast. "We'll get your guy back," I told him firmly. "Believe me, no one has more reason to see the vampire faction snuffed out than our court."

He heaved an impatient sigh, and his big hands flew, motions forceful with his frustration. "And yet, we do nothing. I do not think anyone here fully understands the torment that bitch could be inflicting on Josh as we speak."

I crossed my arms over my chest and parked my ass against the table behind me. "You're wrong."

When he gave me a doubtful look, I glared right back. "I was a slave in the vampire coven before Acacia even became queen. They saw me as a joke because I'm a chupacabra shifter. An ugly animal who happened to share the same taste for blood. They beat me, starved me, fed from me, and passed me around like a mindless sex toy. Kept me so starved and weak that I didn't even know I was an alpha." I arched a brow at the snake. "So don't fucking tell me no one knows what your precious human might be going through." I hated revealing my weaknesses. But I also hated his attitude, the way he assumed we were all just sitting around on our asses because we were too stupid to know the consequences of inaction.

His eyes flared with magic, and his aura sang with a new burst of rage. It took me a second to realize that it wasn't directed at me, but seemed to be for me. How… noble. I supposed. "They should all die," he signed adamantly.

I nodded. "I couldn't agree more. And when they do, it will be me who slices The Bitch Queen's head from her scrawny shoulders. But there is more at stake here." There was always more at stake. While I loved Robin, and I was devoted to our ultimate mission—less because of her need for revenge and more because the syndicate was a fucking cancer that needed to be eliminated—I sometimes got tired of all the more that we had to think about.

Pure revenge would be nice. Real freedom would be nice. But nothing was ever so simple.

"There are so many threads here," I told him. "We can't take on the vampire nest without setting off a whole chain of bullshit that will end in us dead. And, I know you don't want to hear it, but we have bigger things to worry about than the life of one human."

He sneered at me, but I held up a hand. "No, listen. Robin's life mission isn't just to kill the emperor and get revenge. She's trying to end the entire damned syndicate. To save a whole lot of unaligned paranorms who can't fight for themselves. If you were her, would you give that up for one person—no matter how important they were to you?"

His bright eyes locked onto mine and we stared at each other for a long time. Then he replied. "I might."

I let out a long sigh. "Honestly? I might too. If it were the right person. Ruya. The rest of my family here. But that's why I'm not in charge and Robin is. She might seem downright fucking heartless, but… that ruthlessness is the only reason she has any chance of succeeding. Otherwise, she would have given up long ago."

He took a deep breath and let it out, some of the tension flowing from his broad shoulders. "I was royalty once," he said slowly. "I've seen the sacrifices strong rulers make in the name of the greater good."

I nodded. "I bet you have. And yet, you don't seem too keen on the idea."

He let out a scoffing laugh. "I was trained to be a king from the day I was born. But no one ever said I'd be a good king. Too impulsive. Too guided by my heart, rather than logic."

I gave him a wry look. "Some people would say that was a good thing."

"And you?" he signed back.

I shook my head. "I think it depends on the situation. But trust me, if Robin can find a way to do both, she will. She schemes. It's what she does best. She doesn't always win. But she always comes closer than most. If anyone can manage to get Josh back and still reach her goals, it will be her."

He nodded. "You are a wise woman. Your princess is lucky to have an alpha such as you protecting her back."

Then he reached out to place a hand on my shoulder and give it a squeeze, those strange citrine eyes not leaving my face.

I grinned. "Damn straight she is. And she knows it."

He withdrew his hand and ran it through his dark hair instead, showing a bit more vulnerability than usual. "I don't wish to be at odds with everyone in Ruya's harem," he signed. I frowned as I interpreted. Was harem right? Sign language wasn't so precise as spoken word. And I was still learning. There was a lot of… interpretation involved. But that gesture could only mean harem….

"Ruya's harem?" I asked, trying to suppress my laughter. "Not Robin's court?"

He grinned at me, showing off long, thin fangs. "Ruya's," he voiced slowly and awkwardly.

I shook my head. I had a feeling he was right. Somehow this whole court belonged more and more to Ruya, rather than our dragon princess. "Don't let Robin hear you call us that," I warned. "I really don't feel like putting out any fires today."

He shrugged. "Truth," he signed.

I heaved a sigh. "Probably." Then, dismissing that to address his actual point, I added, "I can't speak for the rest. But there's no reason for you and me to be at odds, snake. Not unless you do something to betray or harm the rest of my family."

He pressed his lips together, nodded. Then he held out a hand.

I took it, returning his firm handshake. When he released my hand, I stood straighter. "Great. Now, what's your weapon of choice? Guns and grenades are nice, but sometimes a good old-fashioned blade is handier. You've got a good reach on you. Daggers? Or the short sword?"

He followed my lead, probably desperate to find something to distract him from his pacing and impotent rage. When he indicated a long dagger, I grabbed up some practice knives and nodded toward the sparring mat. He wasn't the only one who needed to let off some steam in a violent, physical way.

I was surprised to find myself liking the naga. Or at least respecting his openness. For his sake, I hoped I was right about Robin's motives and abilities in this situation. I thought she would do what she could. But I knew if it came right down to it, the kind, soft-spoken human might just be one more casualty in our mission to undermine the syndicate.

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