Page 123 of Savage Blood
Her blue angel eyes narrowed. “He’s tucked away in a nice little room in the manor. Barric has all but forgotten about him as he prepares to slaughter you.”
“Everyone, just calm down.” Ruin lifted his hand as if it were a white flag. “My little Renfield came to bring some pertinent information.”
“Stop calling me that, asshole,” Roxie hissed, crossing her arms with a huff.
A silky smooth, ominous laugh drifted through the room like black smoke.
“This is just”—the female royal demon bit her burgundy bottom lip as her focus bounced around the four of us—“fascinating.”
Fane’s presence warmed my side as he closed the distance between us, tension coiling through his muscles. “Cyria.”
Her sultry smile had my teeth grinding and talons threatening to burst out. Why did every royal demon have to look like a Nordic god? Her painted-on black pants hugged her every curve, and a corset cinched her tiny waist. At least her tailored jacket covered some of her cleavage.
Cyria looked like a classier version of Princess Venna.
“Fane Maverick.” His name curled off her tongue like a caress. “Long time no see.”
When I unconsciously took a step toward her, Fane’s hand rested on my shoulder to keep me in place.
“Relax, Teague. She’s just an old acquaintance.”
“Like how Ziva was an old acquaintance?”Every syllable I projected into his head dripped with disdain.
Fane was a lot older than me—I had no idea what his realage was—so he was bound to have some exes, but did they all have to be so fucking gorgeous?
“She’s not an ex,”he said.
Cyria motioned her finger between Fane and me before grinning in Ruin’s direction. “I see what you mean. They’re definitely talking to each other right now.”
Ruin’s laughter filled the room. “They’realwaystalking to each other.”
“My niece does that with her other half,” Cyria said before sipping from the nearly empty wineglass.
“So, how do you know Fane?” I asked, an edge to every syllable.
Fane’s sigh only irritated me more, and I propped my hands on my hips, waiting for the royal’s answer.
“I hired him to find a few things for me.” She licked her lips. “No one else got the job done except Fane.”
“Can I punch her now?”I snapped.
Fane cleared his throat and angled in front of me. “You have an impressive collection of artifacts,” he told her.
“You don’t know the half of it.” She ticked her head toward the books. “Do me a favor and make sure Ruin doesn’t destroy these. I’d like them back in one piece, and I’d hate to have to kill him.”
Ruin scoffed, grabbed a different book, and flipped through its pages. “Please, Cyria, that was Logan who demolished your collection of Ather crystals.”
Cyria stood, smoothing a hand over her platinum locks. “It was a pleasure seeing you again, Ruin and Fane. And Roxie, don’t forget what I said about the demon bond.”
“What’s that?” Ruin frowned as he scrutinized the two women.
Roxie remained silent and diverted her gaze to the books on the table.
“Just girl stuff.” Cyria winked and then strode toward the door, bringing her closer to us.
“Don’t forget to ask your father,” Ruin called. “You and Drogan owe me.”
She wiggled her fingers absentmindedly while those eerie blue eyes bored into me. “We keep our promises, Ruin. If something like that still exists, he would have it.”
