Page 37 of The Fate of Eternity

“What’s being noticed? Ah, the blood, apparently.” I startle at Beau beside us, a questioning smile on his lips.

“Good to see you too, Beau,” Cassian grumbles, and Beau gives him a pointed look.

“Sorry about the delay, and sorry to rush, but we need to move. I was in the middle of something,” he states, pointing over his shoulder toward the door.

It’s only then that I notice something about him, too. “Is that blood?” I ask, aiming my finger at his throat, and he shrugs.

“You’re not the only one taking names,” he says with a grin, but the twist in my gut doesn’t let me join in with the humor.

“Explain,” Cassian states, rising from his seat and dropping a few bills on the table to cover our meal, and I follow suit.

Beau leads us toward the door without an answer, and I manage to wave at Pearl before we slip outside. The second we do, he turns to us with a darkening expression. Finally, he sighs, taking a step back as he speaks. “I can tell you, or I can show you.”

It’s not really a question when he already knows the answer.

“Show us.”

18

RAIDEN

Adrenaline pounds through my veins and I relish in the excitement with every drop of blood I claim.

I’d say I’m feral, but that’s a wolf thing, and I’m definitely not one ofthose. I’m not frenzied either because that’s completely beneath me. I don’t know whether I’ve always been this venomous or if it’s worsened since I’ve been without Adrianna, but either way, I’m owning it.

I don’t like being out of control, and that’s all I am when it comes to the woman I’m obsessed with.

She’ll be back soon.

She better be. If not, Cassian will be the one on the end of my wrath.

“Raiden, watch out!” Brody’s voice cuts through the air, alerting me, but the fucker doesn’t actually say where to look. I spin to my left, but of course, the enemy is coming from the right. My gaze latches onto the frenzied vampire powering my way, hitting me with their full force before I can brace for impact.

My back slams the ground, pulling a grunt from my lips as I snarl at the frenzied fool. His eyes can’t focus, his movementsare jagged, and the grip on my shoulders is about as limp as my dick right now. His desire and uncurbed craving for blood leave him at a complete disadvantage against someone like me, who is… far superior.

His teeth extend, the sharp points shimmering under the moonlight, but he’s not quick enough. As he leans toward my throat, I buck my hips up, knocking him off balance before I use my speed to regain the advantage.

A sinister grin spreads across my lips as I glance down at the troubled soul. In this state, all they live and breathe for his blood. The frenzied mess is infused intotheirblood, a fact that I only just learned is because of our kind too. It’s diabolical.

I should feel sorry for them, but I can’t muster the emotion. They’re an inconsequential factor in the bigger picture. His Adam’s apple bobs against the palm of my hand as I clench my fingers around his throat, tearing him apart before he can even take another breath.

Blood stains my knuckles, pooling around his lifeless body, but there’s no time to bask in the victory. He’s not the only vampire we’re fighting off.

Rising to my feet, I straighten my shoulders as I shake out my blazer, giving myself a moment to assess the situation around us.

A burst of flames brightens the sky to my left, and I turn just in time to see the glimmer of a white dragon spiraling toward the ground. Four vampires turn to ash under the intense flames before the dragon ascends back into the sky.

Kryll.

Part of me hates how fucking majestic and unique he is, but there’s a part of me, clearly not a typical trait for a vampire, that admires him. I’d almost say I’m in awe, but admitting that would turn me into ash, along with the frenzied fools.

Taking a deep breath, I focus on what I can hear, and my attention is drawn to my right, where I find Brody. His hands areraised at his sides, his eyes barely open as his lips move faster than should be possible, especially for someone who doesn’t have a speed ability. The chant flows freely from his lips as vampire after vampire is drawn toward him, only to find their almighty death when they get within a foot of him.

We could be done here.

As if hearing my thoughts, a battle cry rings from the dark forest behind me and I sigh.

There’s more?

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