Page 38 of Slay Me

“I can’t rule out someone sneaking toxin into the food. If it was meant to interact with Liv’s blood, they could have put it in the food when it was originally purchased, correct?”

Adaya nods in agreement. “Based on what I sense, no one else but a fury would have been susceptible.”

“This is fucking bullshit,” Fiona snaps.

“Leave Valentina to me,” I warn her. “Or you will be punished.”

“Fuck off.”’

The berserker whirls and stomps out of the apartment.

“Surprised you let her live.”

“She serves a purpose,” I tell Adaya.

“And what purpose is that?”

“She cares enough to keep Liv alive.” I look down at the fury, who is now sleeping peacefully. Her hair is still matted with sweat, but her breathing is no longer ragged. I take a deep breath and then turn toward the door. “Stay here until the berserker is back.”

“You got it, boss.”

I slam the door behind me, not at all surprised to see Duncan waiting for me outside. “Killian has gathered everyone in the center of the Big Top,” he says.

“Great.” Without breaking stride, I make my way down the stairs and into the performance area of the tent.

“She going to live?”

“Yes.” I shove the flaps aside, moving into the ring. All eyes turn to me, and everyone ceases speaking. “Someone poisoned Liv,” I announce, my gaze traveling over the crowd. “I have reason to believe it was one of you fuckers. Which I find quite interesting since I’ve made it clear from day one that there is to be no fighting amongst you.”

“Is she going to live?”

“Yes,” I say without looking at the gryffin. Given his kind’s obsession with things—and people—they consider theirs, I cannot imagine he’d have harmed her. No, my attention remains wholly focused on the pixie currently avoiding any and all eye contact with me.

“I’m so glad she’s going to be okay,” Jenny says. “Does she need anything? I can help—”

“We have it handled,” I interrupt. “I will find out who poisoned her, and when I do, that person will pay for it with their life. You have my fucking word on that.” Turning away, I march out into the hall, bait for someone I know will follow.

It takes less than a minute before she catches up to me.

“Such a shame about Liv.”

I whirl, hand closing around Valentina’s throat as I slam her against the wall of the stairwell. “Did you fucking poison her?”

Valentina’s gaze remains on mine, completely calm despite the risk to her life. “Why would I do that?”

“I don’t fucking know, but of everyone here, you have the greater reason to want her out of the way.”

Valentina’s gaze never shifts from mine. “I don’t care for Liv, that’s no secret, but I enjoy tormenting her far too much to kill her.” She grins. “And if I wanted to, I would want her to see me deal the final blow.”

The dragon within twists and turns, fighting to break free. My arms partially shift beneath the fabric of my shirt, and it’s all I can do to fight the beast back down. He wants the pixie dead. Wants them all dead so no one can come for Liv ever again.

I tighten my grip, and Valentina grips my forearm, her face turning color thanks to the lack of oxygen. “I will kill you if you so much as breathe wrongly in her direction, pixie. You and I werenevera thing. I wouldn’t touch that rotten pussy of yours with a fucking pole let alone my dick. Get that through your fucking head, or I will paint the walls with your blood as a reminder to anyone who thinks twice about coming for what’s mine.” I release her, and she slumps backward against the wall, sucking in breath after breath.

Without waiting for her to catch it, I march upstairs to my apartment and head straight for my wardrobe.

Otherwise, there’s no telling what I might do.

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