Page 83 of Shadow Kissed (Marked by Blood 1)

I crossed my arms over my chest. “No.”

“Fine, stay here and fuck our plan even more.”

“We need to call it off.”

“It’s too late,” he snapped. “It’s already underway. I’m heading down there now.”

“It can’t be. I only just left Kalon.”

“No offense, but a lot can happen in the time it takes for a mortal to climb all these stairs.”

He had a point, however annoying it was. “I’m going to try to stop it.”

“In about thirty minutes,” he said, checking his watch, “the Princess of Asland will be a vampire, and you not being at the ball will be problematic. So I’m asking you to go down there. I will fly you down if you want.”

“I am not going anywhere near your arms.”

“You didn’t mind it earlier.”

“You are…” I searched for the right word. “Infuriating.”

“And here I was thinking you were going to say something far more colorful.”

I glared. “How is the plan already underway if she hasn’t been changed yet?”

“Because Erianna already fed her my blood. She’s been lacing her wine with it all night from their private rooms. Erianna is, let’s just say, close to the castle taster and has sway over him.”

“Oh, like romantically.”

“Yes. Zach’s job is simply to make sure the princess is killed while with Kalon.”

“You didn’t tell me any of this.”

“We couldn’t risk it.”

I tapped my foot against the ground, seething. “I knew you didn’t trust me. It’s sad Erianna doesn’t either.”

“Erianna wanted to tell you. I said no.”

“I’m done with you.”

“Unfortunately, love, we’re still in this together.”

I let out a low, frustrated scream behind closed lips and stomped to the bedroom door. “I’m going to find Draven first, so he doesn’t try to escape and get himself killed. He takes priority right now.”

“You won’t find him in time to be back.” Worry replaced his mocking tone. “Let me fly you.”

“No.”

“Don’t let your stubbornness get your friend killed and mine.”

I paused, hating him for being right. “Fine, but I take zero pleasure in this.”

He rolled his eyes and sped to the closet, then pulled out a new suit. I looked away as he got dressed and quickly washed his hair. At least he’d cleaned all the blood that the vampire had spilled on him in the ballroom.

“Sebastian.” His name shakily left my lips. “How often do vampires spill things?”

“It can happen when they’re drunk.”

---