Page 72 of Invoking the Blood

Rune remained silent, there was not a reply he could offer Lyssa she would find satisfactory. He turned his attention to Jha’ant. “You have the same access I do to The Crumbling. Attend to it yourself if you find my actions lacking. Do not summon me again.”

He phased to his bathroom, materializing before the mirror. He listened for the minx and was met with her steady slow breaths. There would be nothing he could do to ease her hurt while she slept.

He lifted his chin to inspect the damage the Ra’Voshnik had done. Rune frowned and reached for Sadi’s mind.

You willnotgo to her while our queen is upset with you.

Rune exhaled. It would likely upset his queen… The Ra’Voshnik’s dark laughter echoed through his mind.It’s about time you admitted it.

She is not my queen. It is a spell, fool creature.

And is it the spell that makes you hard with a touch of her lips? Careful not to embarrass us. I wouldn’t want you coming the instant she touches your cock. Give her to me, I’ll be sure to set her expectations.

Rune ignored the Ra’Voshnik, washing away what blood he could. The Ra’Voshnik sank its claws too deep for him to heal it himself. Rune pushed his senses over his home, searching for the blonde harpy. He located her and phased to the den in his south wing.

The Ra’Voshnik instantly fixated on the large Artithian male.Kill him.

Be silent.

His scent covered her!

The male paled as though he somehow sensed a predator sought his demise, but to his credit he stood between him and his harpy. Rune couldn’t help but to develop a begrudging inkling of respect for the man.

“I would like a word with the blonde harpy,” Rune said, and the male spread his wings, blocking Sparrow from view. Bravery that bordered on stupidity, but Rune respected loyalty. He met the man’s gaze and asked, “What is your name.”

The harpy answered, “His name is Vashien, you shadowy asshole. Did Faye not beat your ass enough? Come closer and I’ll leave more claw marks on your face.”

The large male paled further, and Rune resisted the urge to smile at his terrible choice in women. “Vashien,” Rune said, taking a step closer, “it would be in your best interest to keep your scent off Faye.” The large male nodded but didn’t step aside. “I have not come to harm your female.”

Vashien folded his wings and moved to Sparrow’s side. The blonde harpy sat in a chair picking glass out of her foot before mending the lacerations.

Rune took a seat across from them and said, “A word harpy.”

“That’s three words, douche.”

“Sparrow,” Vashien said, giving her a pointed look.

The blonde snorted, glancing up from her task. “What?”

“You are able to mend flesh?”

“Obviously,” Sparrow said, returning to her foot. She flicked away a piece of glass and pressed her thumb to the tiny cut.

“Would you mind terribly, if I requested you mend my throat?”

She stood with a huff and trudged to him. She pushed his chin up roughly, peering at the wounds. “Your stray cat too busy to heal you?”

“I would like to avoid prodding your sister’s anger.”

Sparrow jabbed her fingers over his neck. “Darkness, these are deep. You really pissed her off.”

“Faye is not responsible for my injuries, and I believe you pissed her off.” The blonde remained silent as she pressed her thumb to the first wound. Her magic was slow and clumsy, taking long moments to seal the puncture. “You will likely be immortal. You need to learn our most dangerous weapons are our words.”

She moved to the next injury, pressing harder than was necessary. “I would have told her I was sorry if you didn’t block off the hallway with your stupid shield.”

“You must learn restraint,” Rune said, glancing down at her.

She was bent forward peering at his throat as she worked. “Faye and I are fine, fang boy.”

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