Page 77 of Blood from the Marrow
Zuri considered it before shrugging. “The closer I am to the relic, the stronger I am.” She chuckled in disbelief and looked at Lib. “But it’s still like having a nuclear power plant running a remote control car.”
Librada straightened, the corner of her mouth twitching in a self-satisfied smile. They’d accomplished so much in Elena’s absence. Instead of feeling useless, Elena took comfort in knowing that if she fell they’d have each other.
Elena nodded before turning to Marisol. “What about your people? Time’s up for them to decide. Do you want to bring them here?”
Marisol blinked, clearly not expecting the question to be directed at her. “I…” Her gaze darted between Elena and Zuri before she decided. “Yes. I do. They’ve had plenty of time to think it over.” Her voice grew stronger. “I’m going in the morning. I’ll share everything I’ve learned and bring back whoever’s coming.”
“And the ones who don’t want to fight?” Elena asked.
Marisol’s expression hardened in a way that reminded Elena of the woman who repeatedly, and fearlessly, put her life in danger. “They join us for good and bad, or not at all.” Her skin brightened again like her wings might fan out behind her to make the point. “We’re not running an AirBnB for people who want the benefits without the risks.”
Zuri’s eyebrows shot up. “Damn, Bambi really said: shit or get off Elena’s fancy pot.”
Something fierce and proud unfurled in Elena’s chest. “Then we move tomorrow. Zuri’s coven, the Aglion who’ll stand with us, and we start drilling our forces.” She looked at the roses blooming around them and accepted the good omen. “Time to find out what we’re really made of.”
Chapter Thirty-One
The fortress wasthe most chaotic Zuri had seen yet. Overnight, the vampire numbers had nearly doubled, and those were only the high-ranking vamps allowed in the main house. She imagined that hundreds more were hiding out in the other buildings, but it was still midmorning and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The bats wouldn’t come out of their caves until dusk.
It should have been terrifying to be surrounded by vampires, but it was strangely comforting. Being dropped into the lion enclosure was kind of nice when there were crocodiles circling the gates. She looked down at her phone before she stepped out of the bedroom. Avani and Candela were less than an hour away, and damn if that didn’t put a fucking pep in her step.
An aroma of browning butter and fresh coffee lured Zuri to the kitchen. She’d expected to find Bambi at the stove, considering they were the only two who ate food in the main house, but she was sitting at the island sipping coffee.
Dark blonde hair in a messy ponytail and wearing an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, Bambi looked at Zuri with delighted surprise. Standing at the counter, Cordelia, with her Kristin Chenoweth vibes, was showing Elena how to make an omelet. Zuri’s lips puckered, remembering the salt-lick Elenahad last prepared. She knew it was weird to miss something that tasted revolting, but that didn’t stop her chest from tightening.
“What’s all this, Wolf-fang Puck?” Zuri slid onto the stool next to Marisol.
“Cord is teaching Elena how to cook,” Marisol replied with a bemused giggle like she still wasn’t sure it was really happening.
Cord?Zuri gave the Southern Belle a once-over. When the hell did she get on a nickname basis with Marisol?
“Want some coffee?” Marisol leaned over and gave Zuri a peck on the cheek. “I figured out how to use the big machine.” She pointed at the insane stainless steel contraption in the corner.
Zuri nodded even though she preferred her little percolator.
“I’ve missed cooking for people. The banquets we used to throw,” she said dreamily. “Momma never wanted me in the kitchen. She said that the lady of the house had other duties, but I didn’t care.”
Zuri stared at her. Was it supposed to be charming that Glenda the Good Bitch slummed it withthe help?
“How many of your people did you say were coming?” Cordelia asked Zuri, her tone sickly sweet. “I’m going to love cooking for so many guests again.”
“I didn’t.” The whirl of the espresso machine accented Zuri’s flat reply.
“There are seven witches and two more on the way,” Marisol offered while Elena focused every ounce of concentration on slicing mushrooms paper thin. Biting her bottom lip and furrowing her brow, she looked so fucking cute. Zuri wished they were alone. Wished she could slip in behind her and kiss her neck without an audience.
“And your coven?” Cordelia asked Marisol when she set down a mug in front of Zuri. “I must confess, I’m absolutely fascinated by your healing magic. I’ve never seen anything likeit.” She grinned. “I couldn’t help but clip one of those roses last night. My entire suite smells divine from a single bloom.”
Marisol shifted her weight and Zuri almost told her she didn’t have to answer anyone’s questions. She didn’t have to say that only twenty-two Aglion had gotten in the mini-bus Lib had insisted on driving herself all the way from Miami like the most fucked up field trip. Hel, of course, had gone too.
“However do you manage it?” Cordelia’s smile was unwavering.
“It’s complicated,” Marisol admitted.
“Oh, I’m sure it is, sugar.” She laughed. “The bloodlines who carry gifts like that?—”
“Oh, good. Sayah is going to show up and find us in full Julia Child costume,” Bernice said when she entered the kitchen.
In a black blazer with dramatic 80s shoulder pads, Bernice had the easy cool of Grace Jones. Zuri was the only one who laughed at her joke. Apparently she was the only one desperate for a change in conversation.
