Page 20 of Royal Bite
One day, she too would have children. That she knew without question.
Just not now.
“That is why we need to squash this lycan now,” the king growled.
Her father, a great warrior, had fought for centuries for their people. Hegna had always idolized him. When she had been at a young age, he had put a sword in her hand and trained her. She, the future queen, would need to be a deadly warrior, a cunning diplomat, and have a large heart for her people. All of the traits that her father embodied and had instilled in her.
But he didn’t just focus on only her, being the heir. All of the Riskel daughters had trained hard their entire lives. They had higher expectations to meet than any other warrior because of their last name. Each one of them had earned the title of warden.
“We don’t know much about this alpha. I have just returned from the summit of kings,” Niall continued. All eyes in the room were on the king. He scowled, the look the same as Hegna had seen on her own face and her sisters’. “There have been lycans spotted throughout the world. Azura at least spoke the truth. Their numbers are growing, and we need to take action. Killing their alpha will be the first step. It will weaken them. Lycans will need a leader to follow.”
“Well, if they are spotted all over the world, that would mean there is more than one alpha, correct?” Lethia asked. Dressed like their mother in a dramatic gown, she glanced around the room.
The middle sister may fancy wearing expensive clothing, but it didn’t mean she was unarmed. Hegna wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t have at least four blades hidden somewhere on her body.
It had been Lethia who had fought the lycan alpha and was wounded. Hegna’s gums burned as her fangs threatened to descend. There was a bounty on the alpha’s head, but she had outsmarted every bounty hunter out there so far. The queen had issued a very hefty bounty on the alpha—dead or alive.
Only it was Hegna who wanted to be the one to end the alpha’s life for what she had done to Lethia. No one messed with her sisters. It was only a matter of time until the alpha made a mistake.
And Hegna would be there to take her head off.
“That is what the other kings are now looking in to. We agreed to meet again virtually once they all have more information. I shared with them everything that I know, but it wasn’t much,” Niall said.
“Your Graces, may I ask, what all do we know?” Lethia’s advisor, Aubrey Lafayette, asked. She held her electronic tablet in her hands. The vampire was a whiz when it came to electronics. Lethia had shared that her advisor had a way of finding information on that little contraption of hers. “She’s highly intelligent if she’s been able to remain under our radar and grow her numbers, she’s pissed at the Riskel family, and she’s been negotiating with some humans. Anything I miss?”
“Do we know her motive?” Corbin asked.
Hegna’s advisor frowned. It was apparent the wheels in his brain were turning. Hegna knew what that look meant. He was quickly piecing things together. He was one who had to understand all of the parts of a problem. He’d always shared with her that the best way to defeat an enemy was to have a clear understanding of them.
“Why go directly after vampires?” he said. “Why not just come out to the world?”
“Besides the fact that vampires have been eradicating their kind since their rebellion?” Lethia rested back in her chair. Her eyes were dazed slightly as if she were reliving some memory. “There is some history that we don’t truly know of between her and our family. She purposely chose to go after our family.”
The holographic device in the middle of the table roared to life.
“Incoming call,” the box announced.
Everyone froze in place, not saying a word. The air grew thicker with tension. Hegna glanced over at her youngest sister and arched an eyebrow.
“Isn’t this line secured?” she asked.
“Of course it is,” Velika hissed.
“Well, answer it,” Lethia suggested. She shrugged one shoulder. “We are all safe here, and what if it is one of our contacts trying to report something?”
“I agree,” Niall said. He sat forward, his gaze narrowed on the box. “Answer it. I’m curious as well as to who would be so bold to call your secured line that shouldn’t be available to anyone but those who need it.”
Velika reached forward and tapped the box’s button. The image that came forth was not one that Hegna would have expected.
Azura Michaels.
“Well, well, well. The royal vampire family, the Riskels.” Azura grinned, flashing fangs. She sat in a chair and crossed her legs, appearing as if she were invited to this meeting. “I’m sure there is no need for introductions on my behalf.”
“How did you get this number?” Velika snapped.
“Don’t worry about that.” Azura chuckled. Her gaze scanned the room and landed on the king. “King Niall, just the vampire I wanted to speak with. You are certainly hard to get a hold of.”
“You can find me anytime,” the king said. He pushed back from his chair and stood. Her father was a seasoned, deadly warrior. Being king did not mean that he stayed off the battlefield. He was still physically fit, muscular, and was an expert swordsman. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword that sat in the sheath on his waist. “Why don’t you come meet me in person.”
