Page 94 of Of Nine So Bold

“Quiet,” the woman ordered tightly.

The human clamped his mouth shut, visibly trembling.

I smiled. “What is your name, woman?”

She drew herself up higher, the fact she was on her knees with her hands bound at her back be damned. “General Valeria d’Elisan, loyal soldier of the true queen of Aneira—and thatisn’tyou.”

Alaric’s chuckle carried from a sliver of reflection on the tray of apples, though none of the humans or orcs showed any sign of hearing it.

Ignoring him, I lifted an eyebrow at the impetuous woman. “My, such fire. And such unrepentant remorse for your crimes. Tell me—” I turned to the other two humans. “Do you concur with this assessment? That I amnot, in fact, the true queen?”

They glanced at each other and at their commander. One moved his mouth like he couldn’t decide upon words, while the other just whimpered with fear.

I sighed.

In an instant, I shifted form and swept down from the throne, slashing through the air. The farmers dropped like toppling logs, gasping and thrashing in their restraints, unable to reach the bloodied remains of their throats.

Splattered by their blood, Valeria didn’t move, but her accelerating heartbeat betrayed her shock and horror. Likewise, her breathing turned short and quick, though her jaw remained set with determination.

“Oh, pet,” Alaric whispered. “You can do better thanthatto break her.”

He had no idea.

Shifting back to my human-like form before the woman, I smiled. “They were not nearly as entertaining as I believe you will prove to be.”

“Kill me and be done with it,” she spat back. “I will never betray my queen or my kingdom.”

I chuckled. “Oh, General,” My fangs descended. “Yes, you will.”

25

CLAY

Even when they’d been starved, beaten, and brutalized, giants could still be idiots—andtotalassholes.

“If any of you fuckersthinkof touching her,” I snarled, my sword clenched in both fists, “we’ll show you just howviciouswe can be.”

The closest of the giants scoffed, while a few others glanced at their companions like they couldn’t believe I thought I could be a threat.

Ozias growled, the sound only barely Erenlian.

Thatbrought the crowd up short.

“What the fuck is he?” one of the giants snapped, fear in his voice.

I grinned, but I couldn’t really enjoy the brief stalemate. Not when this whole situation was a great big cosmic joke.

My eyes darted to Brock. It wasn’t enough that he was here, oh no. There was also Duke Deter fucking Ensid and his bloodthirsty son,Norbert,along with fuck only knew who else.

If I ever met the gods, I’d punch them straight in their holy faces for this bullshit.

“We’re your allies,” Gwyneira spoke up. “That’s what matters. We want to?—”

“I say we kill the humans and take our chances,” Norbert called over her. “End this and just?—”

Casimir stepped from the group, and Norbert cut off, his eyes widening as they locked on the vampire who’d knocked him down in the tunnel.

But then, he’d always been a fucking coward.

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