Page 47 of Queen of Vampire Hearts

Outside Întuneric Castel, Romania.

I close my eyes, sucking in a shaky exhale before opening my eyes. I look around at my surroundings, my eyes almost fully healed.

The Witches Council chamber is a shadow of its former magnificence. The shining white marble is covered in ash. I glance up at the sky, blinking when one fleck of ash falls into my eye again. The ceiling is gone. There is nothing left of the massive dome but a half-charred wooden beam. The full moon shining through the chambers allows me to take in more of my surroundings.

I choke back a gag from behind my mask and cover my mouth, realizing only part of the ash is from the building. The rest is from the bodies.

I DIDN’T WASTEa moment before sprinting from the castle, not even surprised Bast waited for me outside the kitchen door. The familiar sensed my moods, likely feeling the crushing sense of panic almost suffocating me. My determination to escape redoubled.I had to escape before I believed the truth and admitted he could protect and safeguard me from all threats.

I ran, ducking and darting through the hallways, avoiding lurking servants. Thankfully, I’d taken the time to memorize the labyrinth, just in case. I made it outside in moments, avoiding the garage. He was too paranoid not to have trackers on all his vehicles.

My eyes scanned the landscape in front of me. The arching bridge that attached the castle to the mountain path was too long. I would never get across it without Lucien catching up to me. With that out, I needed another route. I panted and shoved my hair out of my face, catching sight of a narrow dirt trail off to the side of the entrance. I sprinted toward it. It started wide but soon narrowed until I gripped the side of the mountain to keep from falling. Bast led the way, twitching her tail and easily balancing on the small outcropping. She turned back every so often to look at me.

Rule No. 5: Abandon everything at a moment’s notice.

The path thinned the farther I went, till I clutched at the cliff, doubts gnawing at me. I should turn back. Yet, I couldn’t. Internally, I went back and forth in my head. Should I continue to move forward or go back? I couldn’t stop thinking about the fight with Lucien.

Rule No. 4: Never attract attention, mortal or otherwise.

He never planned on taking the cuffs off.I hated that the knowledge made me ache. When did I get in so deep? The way he treasured me and pleasured me made me forget everything, including all the rules that kept me alive.

Rule No. 3: Don’t tell anyone anything, ever.

He seemed to value me, tempting me to hand over my safety to him, something I would have never considered before. You learn to depend only on yourself when you’re on the run. Trust was a luxury I could never afford.

Rule No. 2: Use your enemy’s weaknesses against them.

I knew the stories, the battles and foes he’d fought. Could I ask for anyone better to keep me safe? I froze at that insidious thought. Would I have trusted Lucien to protect me if I wasn’t on the run? Yes. I couldn’t imagine a more stalwart immortal to help me fight off my enemies. Wouldeverythingbe different if I wasn’t on the run? I wanted to rip out the part of my brain making excellent points and let it splatter on the floor of the valley below.

Rule No. 1: Trust no one.

I slipped and barely grasped for another handhold in time, my breath coming in short, uneven bursts. I had to forget about Lucien and focus. My heart thudded as I glanced back along the path from which I’d come. A part of me hoped to see Lucien standing there, and when there was no one, I felt a stab of disappointment. I shook the feeling off, knowing I had to run. I could never count on anyone. Rule No. 1 was number one for a reason, but going back to constantly looking over my shoulder for the newest threat sounded so wearisome. I would love to rest, to trust my safety to someone else, even if just for a moment.

The feeling of being watched persisted. Bast was back at my side, hissing and her tail bristled to make herself appear larger. It was something she only did when there wasimminentdanger, something she never did with Lucien.

Oh shit.

I spun on my heel, dreading what I would find. I pressed my back against the mountain, maintaining my precarious grip. A giant flock of birds were circling right behind me. At first, I thought it might be geese, but they were larger than any I’d ever seen, and their beaks were full of pointed teeth. I gasped when I realized what they were. They never came this far north. Stymphalian Birds were monstrosities with sharp fangs that feasted on human flesh. These creatures usually preferred Greece, especially the old region of Arcadia. Their wings turned to knives, to pin their prey down as they tore it apart.

When one swooped toward me, I screamed, which startled the bird enough for it to miss my face. I shuffled quickly back down the path, hoping to reach the castle. It was my only exit, besides a fall into the valley below. The cuffs prevented me from fighting back, so running was my only option. The birds descended on me, clawing and ripping at my flesh. Every time my hand landed on them to hit them away, their lethal wings cut me. I felt blood gushing down my arm but didn’t dare to look.

A massive roar momentarily stunned the birds, and they scattered. I opened my eyes to see Lucien storming toward me, Bast trotting at his side. When had the cat slipped away? Lucien was more vampiric than I’d ever seen him, his eyes glowing blood red, his fangs out in full force. A bird swooped at him, its own fangs bared, but he merely punched it toward the ground. It fell into the valley below, incapacitated.

“Lucien!” I cried, reaching for him, trying to make my way toward him. I stumbled on the ledge, slipping but continuing on. Even now, under threat, I knew he would protect me. I needed to get to him.

Another bird took a bite out of my arm, and I screamed in pain, cradling it to my chest as spots formed over my vision. Lucien reached my side and stepped in front of me, putting my body between him and the mountain. He jerked multiple times as the birds clawed and bit at his back, making himself their only target.

Even through his pain, he made sure no part of my body was exposed. His arms and legs caged me, his hands trailing gently down my arms, despite how the birds ripped at his flesh.

He whispered, “I’m so sorry,vrajitoare.For everything.”

Lucien kissed the side of my temple and reached down to position himself against the mountain. His hands gripped the rock face, making new handholds with his strength. He pulled his legs up under him, leveraging himself against the mountain like a coiled spring. Finally understanding his plan, I screamed, “Lucien, no!” I tried to grab him, to yank him back, but it was too late. He launched himself backward off the path and into the fray. He fought the birds midair, taking them down with him as he plummeted.

I watched helplessly as he fell, my hand shaking as I covered my gaping mouth and tears filled my eyes. I wanted to look away. It took me a moment to recognize the familiar feeling of my magic coursing through me through my shock and fear. It was like a beloved family member had enveloped me in a long-awaited hug. My hair whipped around my shoulders, the power making my entire body come alive. Electricity scaled down my arms, and I pulled my hand away from my mouth, looking at my wrists.

He’d removed the cuffs.They sat on the edge of the cliff next to my feet. I let out an astonished laugh, delighting in the familiar feeling, then narrowed my eyes on the birds.Those flying fucks didn’t stand a chance now.

I called forth my magic, freezing Lucien’s descent into the valley with a wave of my hand. He had passed out from blood loss, and my heart ached with fear for him. I twisted my wrists together, muttering the spell I needed to conjure a cradle of air to protect him from any more attacks.

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