Page 11 of Lifeblood

Lance winked at me. A warmth built between my hands and then all of a sudden, the wound’s sting was gone. He’d healed it. My lips parted. He pressed a finger against them and smiled. “Ava isourmate. For some reason, fate has tied us all together. That certainly does not work long-term, but itdoesgive Ava protections under the laws of the Demon Courts. Which means we cannot bleed her dry, and we cannot letherdo it either.”

Lance’s eyes became serious as he continued. “The importance of this bond and what you are, Ava, are two different things. But I promise you they are equally important. Until we find a way to resolve the ‘sharing’ aspect of this relationship, you will be treated with civility as long as you return it in kind.”

From the edges of my vision, I saw Tristan give a nod of approval. Gareth and Mordred were clearly not as easily convinced, but there were certain inarguable facts.

One lifeblood. Four demon kings.

Either they shared, or they’d go to war over me.

I wasn’t sure the world could handle another war wrought by demons.

“Wow,” I whispered as the demon kings finally seemed to possess a bit of logic between them.

“What?” Lance asked.

I shrugged. “After last night and every rumor I’ve ever heard about you all, I figured you were all just brutes and monsters. I’m… impressed.”

“And I thought you were just a thief,” Gareth said. Was that a hint of hurt in his tone? If so, it was hidden beneath a still-angry demeanor I was coming to realize he must wear as a shield.

I decided to risk winking at him. “Surprised you, didn’t I?”

Gareth’s lips pressed into a thin line. Did he like that, or did it make him hate me more?

A flash of him hovering over me, pressing me into the ground and nearly losing control last night flitted through my head. Then another memory of us kissing—hot, quick, desperate.

Gareth haddefinitelylikedthat.

“Understand this,” he said, snapping me from my reverie. “Youwillplay your role. Fate has decided for us.”

“Not by force,” Lance added with a slightly singsong voice.

“Not by force,” Gareth echoed. “But youwillplay it. Tristan is right—you don’t understand the importance of this. That the world depends on it. I know you can’t see through your hatred of us, and believe me, we feel the same about you. But you will not disregard your duty any longer.”

“Myduty?” I snapped despite all the progress we’d made. “Youkilledmy entirekind.”

Gareth raised his chin. “Lifebloods kept us immortal, which protected humans for a long time. That’s all we’ve ever wanted. It’s not my fault you were never informed.”

“You literally—”

Lance pressed his finger back against my lips. I wanted to bite it off. “We understand, little lifeblood.”

Mordred raised his voice. “There is a lot to work through. There are many unsavory truths present here all at once. As Lance suggests, we will do this amicably on all sides. We will have to share. For our immortality. For all our reasons, most importantly, the Courts’ futures. We cannot afford the war this fight would bringright nowif we can’t work this out amongst ourselves. Are we agreed?”

“Yes,” Lance replied without hesitation.

Tristan nodded. “So much has already been lost. This is a gain.”

All eyes turned to Gareth and me.

I shrugged. “I have no real say, I know that. I walked into this tower expecting death.” Not four mates. Not a fate stranger than death.

Lance raised an eyebrow at Gareth, who shook his head.

Finally, Gareth worked his jaw, as if it pained him to speak. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

“Good,” Lance replied with a wide grin. “It’s a fun process. We don’t have to bleed you to use your power, and we’re all your mates, after all…”

Use my power? They didn’t have to bleed me to use it?

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