Page 126 of Her Feral Beasts

But now the real thing is here.

We arrive through the assessment centre, and I find Lyle standing there by himself.

But as I look through the now open glass front doors of the entrance, it’s immediately apparent why we’re meeting here.

Nestled between armoured black SUVs, a black Rolls Royce awaits in the receiving bay marked on the driver’s door with a coat of arms I know well because it was on my childhood bedroom wall. I woke up every morning, seeing it as if my father was reminding me of who I was. Who he wanted me to be.

Two rearing cobras. In the middle, a shield with a snaking black ‘N’.

Chapter54

Aurelia

Ifreeze, every cell and nerve and movement in my body going into a standstill. Except the growling at the centre of me.

It turns into a roar.

“Aurelia.” Lyle’s voice is deep and commanding, but there’s a strange bite to it. “Come here.”

Stiffly, I obey.

The deputy headmaster hands me a letter and I open it, knowing what it will say already. Henry leans down to look as if he wants to read it too, so does Theresa.

Miss Aurelia Aquinas

The Council of Beasts has found you GUILTY of the crime of grand arson and one count of murder of the second degree.

According to the OLD LAW, you are ordered to return to the custody of your paternal blood, His Royal Highness, King Mace Naga of Serpent Court,

Where you will be punished with Venomous Execution.

May the Wild Mother have mercy upon your soul.

Even knowing that this would happen, reading the words verbatim on the page sends the animal in me thrashing, lashing,raging.

“Oh, Lia—” Theresa begins.

“It’s fine,” I bite out. My hand is still shaking as I crumple the letter in my fist and throw it at Lyle’s perfectly shiny shoes.

Lyle starts, “Miss Aquinas—”

“No.”My head snaps up to stare daggers at the deputy headmaster. I won’t fucking have his attitude.Nottoday.Notnow.

The outright violence in my eyes makes him press his mouth into a thin line and Henry whines on my shoulder.

I frown across at him because I’ve never heard him making that sound before. Perhaps he knows what’s coming. But I’m proven wrong in an instant because behind Lyle walks out familiar hulking figures. Broad shoulders and silver hair like a full moon. And long hair as dark as midnight. I wait to see the third figure, only he doesn’t appear.

Something made of sinew and fangs roars in the back of my mind. I scramble for control. I can’t lose it and embarrass myself here. I nervously tug at the zipper of my jacket.

Dully, I turn away from three men staring down me.

Outside, males in all black are now streaming out from the Serpent Court vehicles. A tall, wiry male steps out from the central car, straightening the collar of his long black jacket. At the end of summer, my father is the only serpent wearing a coat like that. Perhaps it’s to protect his cold, dead heart. He is immediately flanked by his five imposing generals.

My father turns and through the glass, our gazes lock. His eyes glint under the floodlights of the carport. The slight twitch of his lip tells me he is satisfied.

A malicious voice slithers into my mind.

Boneweaver female. 20 years old. Prime condition. Unmated. Unbred. Offers over $10 million.

---