Page 32 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

“Isn’t it?” he asks, but doesn’t let me answer before saying, “you’re welcome, by the way.”

“For what?”

He doesn’t answer, instead dismissing me as he saunters through the crowd, the patrons parting like he’s fucking royalty. He stops before the succubus, giving her an approving nod before disappearing into the crowd.

And I can’t help it, I watch as her eyes meet mine, as she hesitates, a hint of rebellion shifting her stance. She looks poisedto run, and my blood races hot through my veins, the ache wrenching low in my gut akin to hunger.

No,starvation.

I’ve been starving for a long time.

But I didn’t notice until I laid eyes on her.

And I hate her for it.

Chapter 9

Livana

Power is like a drug—seductive, exciting, and offering an escape I desperately crave. Jagger’s blood, his touch, his kiss, are pure power that I can feel thrumming through my veins with each step we take toward Zev.

It doesn’t matter that Jagger is no longer actively feeding me—his blood and the power it contains pumps through my veins, fueling me, strengthening me in an intoxicating way that has me seeing stars. My muscles no longer ache, my fangs no longer pulse with starvation. I’m whole, for at least as long as the effects last, and it’s dizzying.

It’s almost enough to quell the sudden bite of anger I feel pricking my skin the second we reach Zev where he stands by the bar, a scowl on his face and disappointment in those golden eyes.

Almost.

He’s not looking at me, of course. He’s looking at Jagger like he just lost his coin purse. And I hate it. Hate that Zev’s disappointment makes shame cling to my skin, like I’ve done something wrong, when in fact, it was Jagger’s idea to feed me.I didn’t seduce him. It was the other way around. Zev probably thinks I used my influence on Jagger and made him do it.

But why do I care what Zev thinks? He’s a means to an end. They both are.

“We need to move,” Zev says by way of greeting, barely bothering to look at me.

“So eager,” I say because I just can’t help myself. “Do you take pleasure in anything, Zev? Or are you quick to finish in all things?” I make a point of looking down his body, my gaze lingering a touch too long between his massive thighs.

“Dove,” Jagger playfully scolds me where he remains behind me.

I can’t say that it’s the worst feeling in the world, to have him at my backside and Zev at my front, but right now I want to punch Zev more than anything else. I don’t need his judgment, not when I’ve done everything he’s asked of me.

“Careful, succubus,” Zev says, drawing my attention to his face. His lips shape a dangerous curve as he glares down at me. “Or you might just find out.”

I swallow hard, mouth suddenly dry. What the fuck does that mean? And why do I want so badly for him to show me?

“Empty threats,” I force out the words. “Are as useful as wine in place of blood.” I bat my eyelashes up at him, leaving the tease in his hands. I’m more interested in seeingifhe’ll break more than the actual idea of breaking him.

A quick sense of cedar and spiced chocolate bursts on the back of my tongue, but it’s gone just as fast. Goddess, Zev has a lock on his desire, his emotions, more than any creature I’ve ever seen. It’s like he’s trained himself to be icy, calculating, and quiet for reasons beyond that of just his expected duties as a drifter.

Zev holds my gaze for a second longer, like he’s trying to complete a riddle before he blinks, grunts, and turns around.Not another word or command. He knows we’ll follow him, even though I’m tempted to do anything but.

“Come on, dove,” Jagger says, coaxing me with a gentle but powerful hand on my wrist. I fall into step beside him, weaving through the crowd before I give one last look over my shoulder atThe Garden of Flame.

My eyes lock with Sirius’s where he lounges across the room, and a pang of grief overwhelms me. I won’t be returning here, no matter what I promised Sirius when he told me goodbye a little while ago.

I won’t be alive to come back and take him and Quest up on their offer to reside here, dancing and feeding under the safety of Sirius’s protection. Carving out what would’ve been a truly beautiful life.

Maybe I would’ve told Six where I was, too. Finally met him and allowed myself to accept our Matched bond. Maybe we could’ve lived happily ever after as fate intended.

Too bad fate overlooked one terribly obvious fact.

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