Page 10 of Crimson Bond

The battle-ready tension drained from my body, leaving my limbs shaky and suddenly fatigued.

“Thank you, my queen. I believe that is a wise choice.”

“Let’s hope Abigail is wise inherchoices. Remember, little one, as you go out into the world again tomorrow and reunite with your beloved ‘leader,’ that I have your friend Shane.”

Abbi looked ready to cry. “Please don’t hurt him,” she begged. “He doesn’t deserve it.”

Imogen dismissed us, and I escorted Abbi to the secure chambers where she’d spend the day sleeping before we left tomorrow night.

Once she was safely inside, I returned to the throne room.

“I’m surprised to see you back here. And so soon,” Imogen quipped. “I would have thought you’d be guarding every step the little princess took to make sure she didn’t stumble.”

I bowed. “My duty is to you and only you, my queen.”

The truth was I hadn’t wanted to leave Abbi, even behind a locked door. There were grumbles among some of Imogen’s loyalists that the “traitor” should never have been allowed to take a step inside the stronghold ever again. I was worried someone might take it upon himself to prove his devotion to the queen by taking her out.

But the greatest threat to Abbi’s life was standing in front of me. I’d be a fool to let her know I had any remaining feelings for her daughter.

“When I said you were dismissed, I meant for the rest of the night,” the queen clarified. “You’ll need to rest and prepare for your trip. I am glad you’ve returned for the moment, though. There’s something I wanted to discuss with you in private before you leave.”

“Yes, my queen? What is it?”

“There’s been a small...alterationto your mission. Send everyone else out of the room, and I’ll fill you in on the details.”

6

Fantasies of Bloodshed

Reece

I spent the rest of the night and daylight hours outside the entrance to Abbi’s room.

Imogen had sent me away to get some sleep, but after what she’d told me, sleep wasn’t going to happen. I slumped to the floor, resting my back and the top of my head against Abbi’s door, listening to the slow and steady rhythm of her breathing.

Why did she have to come back?

Well, I understood why, but things were hopelessly complicated now, and it was partially my fault. While my spontaneous plan to keep Abbi alive had actually worked, the result was I would be spending at least the next few days in exquisite torture, alone in a car—or a hotel room—with her.

And there was no way this was going to end well. Even if I did manage to pull off my mission, keep from breaking my Bloodbound vows along the way, and return to the Bastion with Abbi, the “victory” would be short-lived.

Imogen still wanted what she wanted—world domination and Abbi as her heir.

And Abbi wanted...him.

I had the chance to meet the human sonofabitch that night. Much to my annoyance, Abbi insisted on going to check on him at the clinic before we left.

During our walk to the medical wing, she’d referred to Shane as a “friend,” but when we got there, she wanted to go into his room alone.

Fat chance.I went with her, promising to stand back and say nothing.

That was easier said than done. She approached his bed with such compassion and concern on her face I almost wished I was the one who’d been wounded. And when she reached out and stroked his arm, it took everything in me not to rip the limb from its puny human socket.

The guy woke, looking around in a daze before focusing on Abbi’s face. He looked like he’d been given a prize.

“Abigail. Hi. Are you okay?” he asked.

She inquired about his condition, his pain level, and told him he was not in a hospital but in the vampire stronghold, which of course he should have known nothing about.

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