Everyone watches the interaction like it’s some kind of volleyball match, while I wait, ready to take any action necessary. If this bloodsucker even so much as thinks of hurtingAurora, I’ll grab him by the throat and burn him to a crisp, Fae King or not.
Ariel’s steady hand stops Aurora from retreating any further. “What does that have to do with Aurora?” There is a thread of defense in her tone.
“She’s the Rosari princess.” Kai’s eyes flash red. “Her father was betrothed to my sister. It was supposed to be a political kinship between Midnight and Realm of the Roses. But a week before the wedding, Roland broke it off. A fortnight later, he married someone else. My sister washumiliated.” A sneer appears on the vampire’s face as he leans in to hiss at Aura. “My father was so livid, he exiled Malixia for not securing the marriage.”
I stayed on the sidelines long enough. I’m up and next to him. “Take a step back.” It comes out low, steady and even, but there is no mistaking the danger in my voice.
At first, he doesn’t move. Then Cinder sets a hand on his shoulder. “Kai,” she says in a low warning tone. He takes a step back.
“You’re a princess?” Ariel asks, studying Aurora with new eyes.
“Explains the skillset,” Snow adds, but wears an equally concerned expression.
Aurora grips one hand with the other, a sign she’s nervous. “I-I wasn’t even born yet when that happened.”
“Your family broke mine apart, with no consideration. Because of your father, I haven’t seen my sister in thirty years.”
“Wait, how the hell old are you?” Snow asks, nose wrinkling in confusion.
“Vampires age slower,” Cinder explains. “He’s eighty err...something,” she finishes uncertainly.
“Whoa, talk about cradle robbing,” Snow says, glance flickering back and forth between Cinder and Kai.
“Or is she grave robbing?” Ariel adds, her grip still firm and comforting on Aurora’s arm.
Despite the colorful commentary, Kai is still coiled as if ready to strike. Anger rolls off him in waves.
“Okay, let’s break this up,” Rap cuts in.
She sidles up from the other side of Kai to stand between him and the counter. Her eyes snap between all of us like she’s already calculating how many bodies she’s going to bury in the alley. “Kai, you need to chill,” she adds in a hushed tone.
Kai’s lip curls, eyes still locked on Aurora over Rap’s mohawk. “I expected you to be better about what trash you pick up from the street and give the name Lost Girl. She should stay lost.”
Heat rolls out of me as anger gets the best of me. “Apologize for that.”
Kai doesn’t even flinch but Cinder’s grip on him tightens as she warily observes me.
“Talon,” Rap warns sharply without looking at me. “You know I don’t care what kind of teeth you have or what crown you wear,” she says to Kai flatly. “If you’re bringing this kind of energy into my house, I will kick your bony ass out myself.”
A long tense moment passes before Kai’s posture finally relaxes.
Cinder stares at Aurora a moment too long before pulling Kai’s elbow. He doesn’t move at first, continuing to glare.
“How about we go visit Red, Brex, and the twins?” Cinder suggests.
His cutting gaze remains on Aurora even as he’s drawn away.
Snow lets out a loud dramatic exhale. “Damn. Didn’t know he had it in him. Normally, the dude is such a delight.”
Ariel now looks at Aurora with new eyes.
Aurora’s lips part slightly, her eyes still locked on the door like he might come back and do something worse.
I hate seeing her so stripped down, so vulnerable in front of everyone.
“Seriously, a princess?” Snow asks.
“Snow, Ariel,” Rap barks. “Get back to work. Aurora, take five. Talon, go with her.”
