Page 103 of Blood

At one point, I believed him to be the only family I have. Now, I have a new family, and I’ll protect them with all the darkness inside of me. He molded me into the monster he needed, but what he doesn’t realize is that Violet holds the reins. I’m hers to command, completely and implicitly.

“Thank you, F-dog, for rescuing us from this shitfest” That comes from Dracula, who groans as he moves to stand, butt ass naked and trembling. “I feel like there’s a breeze in my bumhole region. My cock-a-doodle is feeling rather peckish. What’s good in the neighborhood, homies?”

“Do you have any idea what he just said?” Vin whispers to me.

“No idea.”

“He’s saying thank you for saving us, is wondering why he’s naked, and is asking what the fuck is going on now,” Hera translates as she smooths a hand down her stained white dress.

Lucifer scowls at her. “So, now you speak Dracula? And why the fuck are you studying his naked body?”

“Am I not allowed to look at other men naked, Lucy?” she taunts.

“Ain’t no reason for the homeboys to fight,” Dracula drawls, still semi-delirious, his cheeks ashen and his lashes drooping. I’m not even sure he knows what he’s talking about.

Hera’s gaze snaps toward us, the coldness in her eyes encasing us in icy shadows. “Where’s our daughter? Is she okay?”

“That’s why we’re here,” Vin says sharply. “She’s battling Zeus right as we speak. We need to go to her. Now.”

Coherence returns to Dracula’s glazed-over eyes as he jumps to his feet. “Where the fuck is she?” His tone holds all the rage and savagery that gave him the title of the most feared monster in the entire world.

“Mount Olympus,” I say curtly. “Dimitri Gray told us there’s a portal in his office.”

“Makes sense,” Hera murmurs, more to herself than anyone else. “Prodigium was built on some of the most ancient portals. It’s how it got its name, after all.”

“Are you guys okay to fight?” Vin demands.

Hera and Lucifer exchange a loaded look before both of them flick their gaze to Dracula, who stands tall and proud beside them.

Still naked.

Ripples of shadow skid across Lucifer’s skin as he nods. “Zeus may have tried to steal our power, but he underestimated us.”

“We can fight,” Hera agrees quickly, placing one hand on Lucifer’s arm and the other on Dracula’s.

I suck in a lungful of air as some of the panic percolating in my gut diminishes.

Violet, we’re coming for you, baby.

And we’re bringing our own army.

Just hang in there.

Please.

Just hang in there.

CHAPTER 35

VIOLET

I kick out as another talon reaches for my ankle, having run out of regular arrows a few seconds earlier. And I refuse to waste one of the god-blessed arrows on this motherfucker.

“Fuck.” I desperately grapple behind me, toward Cal, and grab one of the daggers he has strapped to his belt. Flicking it free, I lower it to the four-headed monster with jaundiced yellow skin and beady red eyes. “Stay the fuck away from me!”

The monster releases a roar as I slice off one of its wings, causing it to dip farther down.

“Almost there,” Cal pants as he tightens his grip on me and heads for one of the only open windows lining the castle.

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