Page 18 of Chess

March puffed his chest and stepped forward with his hands in fists. Ever flung an arm out in front of the vampire, bringing him to an immediate halt. “Those females with Rav are nothing special,” March growled.

Chess rolled his eyes. Rav didn’t travel with others, but if hewereto bring anyone with him, they would not benothing. He likely plucked the strongest females from the royal guards. But why—forwho?

“Enough,” Ever demanded. “We need to feed and get out of here unseen.”

“Are you out of blood again so soon?” March asked.

Ever narrowed her eyes in Chess’s direction. “My house guest is a bottomless pit.”

“Please.” Chess snorted. “You hand-fed me every drop and youlikedit.”

Someone pushed on the door. Chess met Ever’s gaze and smirked, stepping away. The man pushed a little harder and stumbled. Chess just managed to catch him by the forearm as he fell inside. “Oh look.” He kicked the door shut again. The short, pale mortal was extremely unappetizing, in his opinion. Blood was blood, but he had a habit of eating with his eyes. Convenience was key at the moment though. “Dinner.”

“Chess,” Ever warned.

“What the fuck?” the man snapped, attempting to tug his arm from Chess’s grip.

“Allow us to feed,” Chess purred to the man, letting his words sway him into compliance. The man relaxed and Chess lifted the mortal’s arm to his mouth. He latched on without another word, blood flooding his mouth from where his fangs punctured. Ever could complain all she wanted but he knew she didn’t disagree. Humans lived amongst vampires in Ivory—they were treated with respect for the blood contributions—but that didn’t mean they weren’t viewed as cattle. Humans cherished chickens, would even decorate their kitchens with them, and yet, most ate them without hesitation.

Chess pulled in a few long mouthfuls, allowing the thick metallic liquid to slide down his throat, before pushing the man toward Ever. His body hummed with new energy. “Your turn.”

Ever glowered. “I’d rather not take your leftovers.”

“And yet, you will.” Chess licked the blood from the corner of his lips, feeling March’s heavy gaze on him. “You too, if you’re hungry.”

“I ate earlier.” March gritted his teeth. Then, softer to Ever, “I hate to say it, but he’s right. You need to feed to keep up your strength.”

“I know.” She sighed, kneeling on the floor beside the mortal as her fangs lowered. She then lifted the man’s other arm, sinking her teeth into his flesh.

Chess watched her suck and swallow, her eyes filling with pleasure, and the smirk faded from his face. Damn, he wished in that moment she were sucking on something else.And swallowing. March cleared his throat and Chess ground his teeth together. Now was not the time for fantasizing when Rav was just outside. Waiting to drag him home and imprison him.

“All right,” Ever said to the man after she took her fangs from his arm. “Go into the cubicle and stay there until we leave.”

The man turned robotically and strode straight for the first cubicle, shutting the door behind him.

“Now,” Chess drawled. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Why don’t you go on ahead and distract them,” March suggested. It sounded innocent enough but Chess could see the challenge in his eyes. “He’s yourstepfather, after all.”

Like hell he would leave Ever alone with this asshat. Give him the chance to tell Ever that Rav wanted Chess locked in the dungeon? Fuck that shit. “Alas, I have no interest in returning to Scarlet so soon.”

“If you’re going to help me get Rav’s head…” Ever spoke slowly, seeming to weigh her words as she spoke them. “It might be beneficial for you to be by his side.”

The prince crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine,” he said reluctantly. He would distract them … but not with his own body. The stakes were much too high for that. “But I’ll need help.”

Ever and March both chuckled at that, then exchanged a look, sobering. “You’re serious?” Ever asked.

“I amalwaysserious, my prickly white rose.” He cracked his neck and straightened. “Now, you”—he waved a hand in March’s direction—“will take a human out back and feed. The scent of blood will draw their attention. I’ll wait nearby to intercept them before they reach you and Ever will leave through the front.”

“Why would I need to lure them out back?” March asked.

Chess huffed. Must he explaineverything? Bleeding idiot. “Because we need all five of them to leave the entrance to the club unattended. Unless you’d like to chance one of them not giving a shit about my appearance. Believe it or not, if a vampire doesn’t enjoy males, they won’t lose sight of their mission and ogle me.”

“Wow.” March shook his head in disbelief. “Could you be more self-absorbed?”

“Confidence,” Chess corrected, motioning to himself. “It’s calledconfidence.”

“So, March lures them to the back of the club with the scent of blood, you stop them before Rav gets to March, and I sneak out the front,” Ever summarized, bringing the conversation back on track.

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