Page 22 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

As the memory of the attack came flooding back, a shudder ran through my body. I could almost feel the wolves’ hot breath on my skin, their sharp teeth tearing and ripping at my flesh. I closed my eyes, trying to push the terrifying images from my mind.

Louise clasped my hand, her gentle squeeze pulling me back to the present. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get over that attack, Louise,” I admitted, my voice breaking slightly. “It terrified me. Ever since it happened, I haven’t been able to get a good night’s sleep.”

“That’s completely understandable,” she said, her eyes filled with sympathy. “I’d have nightmares too if a wolf pack tried to rip me apart.”

A movement below caught my eye, and I turned to seeDimitri emerging from Goody Magic, walking with a muscular man with long dark hair and a blonde woman.

I frowned as I studied the couple. A nagging feeling tugged at the back of my mind. “Who’s Dimitri with?”

Louise’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes widening. “You don’t know? Seriously?”

I shook my head, frustration edging my voice. “I swear I've seen them in New Orleans. Who are they?” My fingers drummed against my thigh.

Louise's expression softened. “That's Dimitri's brother, Valentin, and his mate, Rose. They fled here from New Orleans.” She paused, eyebrows raised. “You really haven't heard? They took down Rose's father, Grayson Allen. He was planning a coup against King Nico.”

I sighed heavily, my shoulders slumping as the shame of my ignorance settled over me. “Angelo keeps everything from me. He thinks I’ll crumble if I know the family business.” I stiffened and my chest tightened. “Did Angelo have anything to do with that?”

Louise bit her lip, her gaze darting away momentarily. “I’m not sure. The rumor mill says he was a silent partner, but nothing was ever proven.”

“That sounds like Angelo,” I muttered, a bitter taste filling my mouth. My fingers curled into fists at my sides. “He knows how to abandon a sinking ship and not get burned. Especially if thinks it is a danger to our family.”

Rose’s striking blonde hair stood out in sharp contrast to the two brothers’ dark locks. Valentin shared Dimitri’s hair color and eye shape, and both were undeniably handsome.But there was something about Dimitri that drew my gaze, perhaps the alluring confidence in the way he carried himself.

I’d felt a tug of attraction to him, but it had been soon overshadowed by a surge of annoyance. Dimitri’s earlier behavior had been unacceptable, his arrogance and bullying tactics leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I wondered if he was just as controlling of his brother as Angelo was of me.

“He’s trouble, all right,” I muttered, more to myself than to Louise. “Attractive, but dangerous.”

Louise followed my gaze, a knowing smile on her lips. “Hmm. Sometimes, the most dangerous ones are the most tempting.”

I shook my head firmly, tearing my eyes away from Dimitri’s retreating form. “Maybe, but I’ve had enough danger to last a lifetime, thank you very much. I don’t need any more, especially not from a conceited ass like him.”

The glass door opened, and Augustus stepped onto the balcony, pulling my attention from Dimitri. He held a glass flask filled with a mysterious red liquid. “I have something for you, Gianna,” he said excitedly. “I believe I have finally perfected the potion to counter the wolfsbane elixir running through your body and preventing you from healing.”

I set my bourbon down, my heart racing with anticipation. “Really? What is it?” I asked, leaning forward in my chair.

“It’s an ancient potion called Bloodmoon Healing. I found the recipe in one of my books,” Augustus said, his eyes shining with pride.

I gazed at the flask, curiosity bubbling up inside me. “What’s in it?”

Augustus took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling as he recited: “Moonlight rose petals, dragon’s blood resin, essence of nightshade berries, phoenix ashes, silver moonlight water, stardust powder, and elven dew.”

“Wow, that’s a long list of ingredients,” I mumbled, my brow furrowing in concentration.

“It’s not quite ready,” he said hesitantly, glancing at me before his eyes darted back to the flask. “To complete the potion, I need five drops of your blood. The potion is unique to each vampire.”

I stared at the flask, doubt creeping into my mind. My wounds had been deep and vicious, and the pain still lingered in my body. “You really think it will do the trick? I’m almost four hundred years old. Sometimes magic doesn’t work on me.”

“I’m sure it will. Augustus’s magic is extremely powerful.” Louise reached over and clutched my wrist gently, her touch reassuring. “Trust him.”

I winked at Augustus. “I do. Well…here goes nothing.” I steeled myself as I raised my wrist to my mouth and bit into it, wincing briefly at the sharp sting.

Augustus opened the flask and held it under my wrist. Five drops of blood splashed into the red liquid, each one causing the potion to darken and sparkle.

I cocked my eyebrow suspiciously and looked up at Augustus.

He squeezed my shoulder, his touch comforting. “Thatjust means the potion’s reacting with your blood. Its healing powers will only work on you now.”

I glanced at the flask warily, my stomach twisting with nerves. “Does it need to…cook? When will it be ready?”

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