Baelfire’s brows go up. “You did?”
“Yes. I needed you all to reject me to prevent…well, exactly what happened. You have me to thank for the last six months of hell.”
Crypt scoffs, giving her a penetrating look. “The only person we’ll be giving our very special thanks to is whoever killed Engela Zuma during the battle. Isn’t that what happened, love?”
We all look at her for confirmation. She nods once, but she’s focused on running her hands through Baelfire’s hair as he continues to struggle with his curse.
“Maven,” I prompt, already craving more information about the next enemy we’ll demolish for her.
“Later. We’re not on that step yet.”
Step?
I see. My beautifully vicious minx must have another evolving plan we’re yet unaware of. Something she hasn’t shared with us yet.
But Everett doesn’t let it go. His eyes narrow as he tips her face up to look at him. “The vampire. You knew his name. Is that why?”
Vampire? I know nothing of this.
She huffs. “I’ll handle it.”
“We,” I scowl, ripping through the blood-soaked vines dangling from the ceiling to crawl onto the bed toward her. With Everett on one side of her and Baelfire on her lap, I have no choice but to drag her away from them and into my arms to whisper against her ear. “Wewill handle it. Utilize us, Maven. Allow us to redeem ourselves. We lost you once because of our own ineptitude. You have my word that we will be much more useful monsters for you now.”
30
SILAS
“Who gives a fuck aboutuseful?”Maven murmurs before capturing my lips with hers.
My head starts to spin, and whispers crowd my ears, but I ignore it all in favor of enjoying the way my blood blossom coaxes me with her delicious mouth.
She’s divinity laced with sin, and I’m pure madness ready to worship at her altar.
But my stark madness becomes difficult to ignore when a scalding, tar-like wave of paranoia rakes across my skin, tensing every part of me so that even my fangs descend. Before I can pull away to try to get control over myself, Maven’s teasing tongue flicks intentionally against one of my fangs, pricking it.
Her fuckingirresistibleflavor slams into the back of my throat, and a groan breaks from me as I lick more deeply into her mouth, eager for more. She hums, pleased with my reaction. My blood blossom is so fucking perfect for me. I crave her ability to claim every part of me—my darkness, my madness, my worship, my never-ending hunger for her.
And her blood.
Gods above,I want her blood.
When one of my hands moves to stroke the side of her throat, her lips curl against mine before she breaks our heated exchange to arch her beautiful, olive-toned neck in offering.
It’s not right to bite her when I lack all control when it comes to her. I could harm her. But then again…the others who are watching know to stop me from truly harming our keeper.
And I need this blood. It soothes me unlike anything else in the world.
Shesoothes me.
Drink, drink, drink, drink,the voices in my head chant, an ode to the addictive perfection that is Maven’s blood.
Without another thought, I bite into her neck, my fangs descending into her carotid artery. I can no more stop the moan that breaks free from me than I can stop the way my cock begins to ache, hard and desperate for this woman who puts my insanity to shame.
For a handspan of euphoric moments, I feed from Maven as the tension in this room builds with the carnal desperation of my quiet quintet members. My blood blossom became our center of gravity months ago—and now that she’s here, gasping and clutching at my arm as I drink from her…
“Si,” Baelfire says thickly, clutching the side of his head before a growl escapes like he can’t help it. “We’ve all been fucking starving for her.”
Don’t let them near. They’ll kill you. Trust no one,someone hisses in my head.
