Page 31 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

Tomorrow night was Louise’s party, and I had to have a plan for what I was going to do by then. A smirk played over my lips as I thought about seducing the princess. It was definitely on the to-do list, and I could already picture her body melting against mine.

What I dreaded the most was telling my brother I was going rogue again. I swallowed hard, a knot forming in my stomach. He might never forgive me, but at least he would still be unharmed. I’d rather have him hate me than see him suffer at the hands of our sadistic father.

I quickened my pace, my resolve hardening with each step. No matter the cost, I would protect the ones I loved, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness.

The cafeteria was bustling with students, and all the magic mojo in the air set my teeth on edge. I clenched my jaw, my irritation rising as I maneuvered through the crowd. Suddenly, I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes narrowing as I came face-to-face with High Priestess Dixon herself. It took every ounce of my self-control not to lunge at her and wipe that smug look off her face.

She tilted her head inquisitively, her eyes boring into mine. “Dimitri? What are you doing here?”

I plastered on my signature smirk, hiding the rage simmering beneath the surface. “I’m hungry.” I shrugged as if I didn’t have a care in the world. “What can I say? I just can’t resist Finn’s cooking.”

She lifted her chin, her gaze sharpening. “I don’t believe you. You’re hiding something.”

I scoffed, my eyes rolling skyward. “That’s rich coming from you. What’s next, a lecture on table manners?”

My gaze swept across the cafeteria, landing on the sickeningly sweet sight of my brother and his better half, cozied up at a table. An empty seat next to Valentin practically screamed my name. He was chatting with Rose, oblivious to my presence, but sporting a smile that suggested he hadn’t joined the puppet parade...yet.

A smirk tugged at my lips as an idea formed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the cafeteria had become an exclusive club,” I drawled, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “And here I thought I was supposed to meet Rose and Valentin for our weekly family bonding time.” I raised an eyebrow, fixing her with a challenging stare. “You wouldn’t want to deny them the pleasure of my charming company, would you? I mean, who else is going to provide the witty commentary on today’s mystery meat surprise?”

She followed my gaze, her lips twisting into a cruel smile as she stared at my brother’s table. “Don’t toy with me, Dimitri.” Her voice was low and venomous. “You know what will happen if you cross me.”

My hands curled into fists at my sides, the urge to protect my brother surging through me like a tidal wave. I stepped closer to her, my voice dropping to a murderous whisper. “And you know what I’m capable of if you threaten the people I love.”

She thrust out her hand and squeezed my chin hard. “That’s what makes you vulnerable, vampire.”

I jerked away and stormed off, hearing her cruel laugh behind me. If I could, I would have happily killed her right then and there, but she was too powerful and would strike me down.

I stood in the cafeteria line just long enough for the high priestess to think I was getting breakfast. In reality, food was the last thing I wanted right now. Revenge was what I was starving for.

I stormed into the kitchen, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on Jaxon, elbow-deep in soapy water. He looked up, his eyes widening when he saw my thunderous expression. He held up his sudsy gloved hands and backed up until he hit a counter. “Seriously? Not again, Dimitri.”

“Answers.” I didn’t even pretend I was here on a social call. In a flash, I was beside him, my hand wrapping around his throat as I yanked him off the floor. His eyes bulged, and he kicked helplessly, his hands clutching at my iron grip, soap suds dripping down his arms.

“Answers to what?” he croaked, his eyes watering and his face turning a satisfying shade of eggplant.

I tightened my grip. “Tell me about the Malefic Puppet.”

“Release me…” he gasped, his words barely audible, “or I won’t…be able to…tell...you...anything.”

I hesitated—the urge to crush his windpipe was nearly overwhelming. But I needed answers more than I needed the pleasure of watching him suffer. With a disgusted sneer, Idumped him unceremoniously on the floor. He crumpled, coughing and gasping for air.

“You’re a bastard,” he wheezed, glaring up at me with a mixture of fear and hatred.

I shrugged, a humorless chuckle escaping my lips. “So people keep telling me.” I crouched down, my face inches from his. “Now start talking,” I whispered menacingly, “or I’ll show you just how much of a bastard I can truly be.”

Jaxon grabbed the edge of the counter, pulling himself to his feet. He glared at me, his jaw clenched. “I mean, you could just ask me, rather than choking the shit out of me.”

I shrugged. “Let’s just say patience isn’t my greatest virtue.”

Jaxon’s nostrils flared, his eyes narrowing. “The Malefic Puppet is super powerful. One of High Priestess Dixon’s greatest achievements. Not much can destroy it.”

I took a step closer, my eyes boring into his. “But something can?”

He gritted his teeth, his hands balling into fists at his sides. “It’s not like she tells me everything, Dimitri. I’m just stuck here being her slave until people acknowledge who I truly am.”

This again. Jaxon claimed to be from royalty but had absolutely no proof. Whatever. I closed the distance between us, my voice low and menacing. “I don’t care about your delusions of royal grandeur. Start talking, or I’m going to use your head as a mop.”

He wiped his brow with the back of his hand, sweatglistening on his skin. “Well…uh…her magic is weakest at daybreak.”

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