Page 47 of The Reign of Blood

I need to get out of here. With all their opinions and thoughts consuming the room, I can’t breathe.

Turning, I don’t make it one step before there’s a hand on my arm, halting me in place. It’s Cassian. I know it without looking. He’s the only one who would dare to touch me without warning, irritating the animal inside of me.

“Where are you going?” he grinds out, and I shake out of his hold to glance at all three of them.

“Away from the drama you guys are swimming in. I’ve had a shower already this morning. I don’t feel like getting wet again.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Brody says, rubbing at his chin in confusion.

“Neither does any of this crap,” I retort, and he rolls his eyes at me.

“You have to vote, Kryll,” he states, keeping his tone soft and calm, but it doesn’t change my mind.

“No, I don’t.”

“I’m not waiting around for your decision. I need to go and check that she’s okay,” Raiden suddenly declares, shaking his head in frustration as he stomps off toward his bedroom.

“She’s fine.”

He comes to a stop, slowly turning on the spot to face me with a weird look in his eyes. “How do you know that?”

Ah, fuck.

There’s no point denying it—not when they’ll be able to see right through me. “I flew past her window on the way here.”

“The fae building is in the complete opposite direction of the vampire building.”

I shrug. “I needed to stretch my wings.”

“So you do care. Vote yes,” Raiden murmurs, his eyes wide with hope.

I take a step back. “I think you’re forgetting who and what I am.”

The three of them frown at me. “Be specific,” Cassian says with a sigh, his irritation at the situation clear. But it’s almost as if he wants me to vote yes even though it will go against him.

They’re giving me a damn headache.

“Now you want specifics,” I mutter, shaking my head in annoyance.

“Don’t be a dick.”

“Then don’t force me to tie myself to someone. I’m a shifter. That’s not what we do,” I growl, my emotions rushing to the surface before I can harness them.

“So youdon’twant to claim her,” Brody interjects, confusion written all over his face.

You and me both, my friend. You and me both.

“I never said that.”

“Then whatareyou saying?” Raiden pushes, and I can’t contain the agitation any longer.

“I’m saying nothing right now.” I turn for the door again, and thankfully, no one tries to stop me this time.

Relief floods my veins as the door opens, and I step through the threshold.

“Leaving isn’t going to help,” Cassian states, but I don’t bother to turn back to them to see how pissed they are.

“It’s going to help me immensely.”

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