Page 59 of Queen Takes Rook
She remembered it at the same moment I did and gave me a hard, toothy smile. “Let’s go.”
The twins came up on either side of me and with a hand on my shoulders, we three crossed into the warded nest at the same time. They immediately moved closer to the elevator, taking up a protective stance in case anyone popped out unexpectedly. I turned and watched as Rik led Gina, Nevarre, and Shara through the blood circle. She didn’t shiver or make any indication that she felt the magic sliding over her skin. Once they were through, we pressed into the elevator.
Thirteen adults made for a cozy fit, which the Furies took full advantage of.
“Mmmm.” Ashlee made a great show of leaning in closely to Rik and smelling him. He bared his teeth and rumbled a warning, but she ignored him. “Such a tasty alpha. But I remember when you were just a shy, awkward sib from an obscure house.”
“Please back away from my alpha and kindly remove your hands from his person.” Shara’s flat, cold voice cut through me like a knife. Lissa shifted closer to me, whether for protection, or to try and draw Shara’s attention away from her friend, I wasn’t sure.
“He’s one of ours,” Ashlee insisted. “He passed through the circle. By Skye law, I could feed on him if I wanted. I’m Blood, and in Skye’s Tower, anyone’s game.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Ashlee gave her a snotty look and then met the other Furies’ gazes. “Her Majesty said to make a statement. I think taking a bit of Isador blood will show them who’s house they’re in. Don’t you agree?”
The women all nodded.
Shara smiled, her eyes flaring. “Anyone who tries to feed on my Blood will die, and I won’t have to lift a finger to accomplish it.”
Ashlee narrowed her eyes, her jaw firming. “I think my queen will have something to say about that. Furies, feed.”
Ignoring the suit coat he wore, she sank her fangs into Rik’s biceps through the material. She was tall—but not tall enough to reach our alpha’s throat. Lissa hesitated a moment, meeting my gaze. I shook my head, trying to warn her off. She’d been nice enough to me. Not all of Skye’s people needed to die.
With a shrug, she leaned in to nuzzle my throat above my collar. I clenched my jaws, fighting to control my reaction. I’d never had a problem feeding anyone before, but something about her made me want to flinch. Nevarre and Tlacel both moved back against Itztli, shielding him from the woman who’d paired up with him.
“Feed on me, if you’d like,” Tlacel said. “But spare my brother. He cannot abide the touch of another.”
“Oh?” Melissa drawled. “Your queen treats you so badly, then?”
Itztli jerked open the front of his shirt to reveal the long scar over his sternum. “Until you can take my heart out and put it back again, I’ll pass.”
She shrugged and sank fang into Tlacel. Bracing myself for Lissa’s bite, I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. Every cell in my body rejected her. Her touch, her scent, how sharp her fangs would be in my skin. If Shara had bitten me, I’d be melting and purring, crazy for her. But this…
This would be a violation.
Lissa bared her fangs, ready to bite me, but hesitated at a strange noise.
Ashlee spluttered, dribbling blood down her shirt. Eyes bulging, she backed a step away from Rik and slammed up against the elevator wall.
Lissa lifted her head. “Ash? What’s wrong?”
She tore at her throat, bloodying herself. Gasping and spewing blood, the other Furies jerked back too.
Whirling on me, Lissa grabbed my arm. “What’s wrong? What did she do to them?”
“Nothing,” Shara said calmly. “I warned you. I don’t take kindly to anyone touching my Blood, let alone feeding on them. I told you anyone who did would die.”
By the time the elevator doors opened, five of the Furies were down on the floor, gurgling and choking as their throats swelled and blackened. Vega, Skye’s female alpha, fisted her hands on her hips and glared at us all. “What the fuck happened here?”
Shara grimaced at the blood and black fluids on the floor, so Rik scooped her up in his arms and stepped over Ashlee’s bloated body. “I warned them not to feed on my Blood, but they refused to listen. They paid the price. Look at my Blood if you don’t believe me. They each bear fang marks.”
Vega narrowed a hard look on Lissa. “Is that true? Or did the Isador bitch try something?”
Vicious sounds rumbled from our throats. Rik sounded like an earthquake. Itztli growled like a rabid dog. My fangs ached and my chest rattled on a warning hiss. Nevarre’s eyes flashed, his head tipped like a raven ready to peck someone’s eyes out. Even mild-mannered Tlacel was poised to strike, his hair flared up on the top of his head like a spiny ridge.
Lissa squeezed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. “It’s true. She told us. We didn’t listen.”
Vega looked her up and down, her lip curled in disgust. “Yet I see you’re still alive and kicking, Lissa. Are you taking up with another house over your own?”
