Page 242 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

Red flecks stain his irises, making him appear even more dangerous.

To my surprise, Thea doesn’t seem too concerned with the fact that he’sfeedingfrom her—something that is forbidden in itself. And he dared criticize me?

Moments go by and she finally wrenches her hand away from his mouth. He’s smirking at her as he wipes the residue blood from his lips. It’s then that I realize his wound has closed.

“What is wrong with you?” Thea grinds out.

Cerenios shrugs. He leans in to whisper something in her ear that I can’t quite make out even with my advanced hearing. After that, his eyes connect to mine.

I take a step back and hit the door just as he flashes himself in front of me. This time, Thea does not interfere, merely standing back and massaging her arm long after the bite mark healed.

“See something familiar, Minerva?” he asks in a derisive voice.

“W-what are you talking about?” I stammer.

He leans in and inhales deeply. “Tainted blood. I can smell it on you. And there is only one way that could be the case.”

I blink. Why does he keep repeating thistainted bloodissue? What even is that?

Can he tell I shared my blood with Mine? But no, that’s impossible.

Unless… Awareness slowly seeps in. I did notjustgive Mine my blood. I also tasted his, though nothing like Cerenios did with Thea. It was a few drops at most. And why would his blood be tainted? He’s human!

Is it because of his illness? Is that what he means?

I’m more confused than ever as I stare at his self-assured expression.

“You know exactly what I am talking about. Let us dispense with the theatrics.”

“You’re wrong,” I whisper.

“Am I?” He raises a brow. “Perhaps others are not able to detect the stench, but I can. Commander Azerius can. It is just a matter of finding out the cause.”

“Your nose is faulty,” I counter. “I’ve never even heard of tainted blood or whatever it is you’re talking about.”

“Thea? Mind telling Minerva here what tainted blood means?”

I glance at Thea and she bites her lip, averting her gaze.

“Blood sharing with a different species,” she adds in a low voice.

My heart stops in my chest.

“You’re one to talk?” I burst out. “You just drank her blood.” I point accusingly to him and Thea. “So what if you’re the same species. Blood sharing is forbidden altogether.”

His lips slowly curl into a dangerous smile.

“You’re trying to prove a point, but you’re breaking the rules too,” I continue.

“Is that so?” He chuckles. “Except I am not. Blood sharing is allowed between first degree relatives in extreme situations. My injury not healing qualifies as an extreme situation.”

“You mean…” I look between him and the other female.

“Thea is my sister,” he confirms.

“B-but…” The loud beat of my heart drowns every noise around me.

“I know what you have done, make no mistake of that. I only require enough proof for a conviction.”

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