Page 65 of Our Sins in Shadows (Coven of Sin 2)

I wanted it all.

And I’d burn the whole damn world down if anyone tried to take it away from me.

This place had become my home, and the people in it were the closest thing to family I ever had. Evil necromancers and estranged vampire hunters notwithstanding.

“Miss Baxter? Are you weeping?” There was a tinge of alarm in Sterling’s melodic murmur as his cool palms smoothed over my tear swollen cheeks. He sniffed the air, likely detecting the salt in my tears, and who knew what else he scented, considering that freakishly powerful nose of his.

“I’m fine.” I swallowed, annoyed by the emotion making my voice wobble. “I’m just happy to be home.”

I stumbled as I tried to get out of the car, but I guess my body had been through too much in the last few days because my legs decided then that they were over supporting me and my bullshit. When they buckled, my hands flew out to grab onto anything that would break my fall. My fingers instinctually gripped Corry’s biceps, and they flexed as he chuckled at my moment of mortal clumsiness.

He scooped me up in his powerful arms, and I curled into his hard chest without argument. Glancing up, I found myself mesmerized by his cerulean blue eyes. Goosebumps erupted over my flesh as a half-cocked smirk played on his lips, eyes glittering in the moonlight.

“Falling for me already, Red?” he teased with a wink.

Erostskedat the pun as he got out of the car, but it got a laugh out of me. “Head first, Youngblood.”

“Get her to bed,” Sterling muttered, sliding smoothly out of the car, his marble features tilting toward the sky. The pallid light of the moon washed him all in silver and the gentle night breeze tousled his snow-white locks. Was he searching the sky for Vincent?

“You don’t have to tell me twice, bro,” Corry snickered, his tongue flicking out to taste the corner of his audacious smirk.

Sterling’s lips flattened. “Get her to bed so she cansleep.”

“I want to wait until Vin gets home.” Even as I spoke, it was a battle keeping my eyes open.

Eros lounged against the hood of Vin’s car, pulling the pack of cigarettes and lighter from the gym shorts he still wore. Watching this man take a smoke was like an exotic peep show. One huge fucking tease. My mouth went dry as I craned my neck to see him flick his lighter open, the flame heating his chocolate orbs. His pierced lips puckered into an arrogant grin around the cigarette when he caught me staring. “Don’t worry, baby doll. Your mate will make it back before dawn. Now get some rest.”

He blew out a cloud of smoke that coiled through the air, whirling around his face in a tantalizing screen. “You’re going to need it if you plan to get through the next three days with the ability to walk.”

As tempting as his suggestive warning was, I wanted to stay up and make sure Vincent got back safely. But I couldn’t muster the energy to argue. I gave a weak nod and allowed Corry to carry me inside. My eyes had drifted shut, but the moment we crossed into the foyer, a roar of applause had them flying open.

Standing in the main entry hall of the mansion was a gathering of the coven vampires. I wondered if maybe Corry had texted one of them, letting them know we were coming back because here they were, waiting to greet us.

“Um. Hi,” I said stupidly, not really knowing what else to say.

The clapping died down and, to my amazement, they all bowed and curtsied. Well, except for Lexi, who could be seen on the second floor, leaning against the balcony railing with an icy scowl on her face.

My half-asleep brain had me scanning the crowd for Lavinia for a second, but then I remembered she’d insisted we leave her behind with the enemy. The sinking sensation in my gut lifted some when the red-headed Kenzie scrambled forward. “Oh, Princess Ruby. Thank God you’re safe! You had us worried sick. Word’s gotten around about Sharpe’s betrayal. And that you saved Princes Eros and Vincent. Is it true?”

I laughed, shaking my head even though it was all true. “What else have you heard?”

“Nothing, except that you’re here now. Not dead.”

“She’ll fill you in on the deets later,” Corry said to the blood donor, shoving our way through all the vampires. “The princess needs rest. Come on, guys, clear out. Sterling won’t want you all just standing around gawking.”

The vampires dispersed with plenty of glances of relief tossed my way as they all left.

Two weeks ago, when I’d first passed through these halls with thoughts of escape filling my mind, cold, distrustful eyes followed me up the stairs. Now this place was my home, and even though there were still so many of the vampires I’d yet to meet, they felt like family. My people.

Warmth unfurled in my chest at the thought.

“Welcome home, Princess Ruby,” an unfamiliar voice greeted me as we passed.

I lifted my head to find a handsome couple standing arm in arm, leaning against the dark wood banister of the staircase, polite and eager fang-filled smiles on their faces.

The man was tall, with long black hair braided down to his hips and deep umber skin. Like many of the Cape vampires, he was dressed in an older style, complete with a top hat and a three-piece burgundy suit that hugged his formidable body perfectly.

His female companion was shorter than him by at least two heads. She had thick brunette hair tied up into two cute buns on top of her skull that was decorated with a multitude of clips and pins. She wore a bright yellow gingham sundress and strappy sandals with a ton of crystal jewelry weighing down her delicate wrists and neck. I couldn’t help but stare at her for a few beats. She was the first vampire I’d met who didn’t dress all dark and drab.

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