“Enough,” Pavel was the one to stop him this time, surprising them all, including Kelevra. He inhaled slowly,seemingly collecting himself, then in a calmer tone continued. “I have had enough.”
Zane’s confusion was the only thing vying against his anger. He didn’t understand Pavel’s reactions and, more than that, he hated that it was happening in front of Lyra’s spy. Which was why, even though he wanted to demand answers, he found himself tearing away from the other man’s grip with a stern look.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you,” Zane said, barely holding onto the thinnest thread of control he had left, “but I don’t have time for this.” He glanced at Kel for assistance. “There’s been a problem with Aodhan. I’m needed.”
Kelevra couldn’t give two shits about Zane’s brother and they both knew it, but despite his…issues, he’d always tried his best to be a decent friend. Which was probably the only reason he gave in with a sigh and ordered Pavel, “Let him pass.”
In another shocking turn of events, it actually seemed like Pavel wasn’t going to comply. He merely stood there, staring at Zane blankly, as though trying to telepathically force his thoughts into his mind.
“Hey.” Ledger was suddenly there, awkwardly moving between his brother and Kelevra in an obvious attempt to shield him. “Stop it.”
The second Pavel seemed to be considering his brother’s request, Zane shoved past him. He darted down the stairs, Samuel hot on his heels. It wasn’t hard to locate the hovercar waiting for them, since it’d been left directly outside the front doors of the bar, the engine still running and everything. The Imperial family crest painted on the side was more than enough to prevent even the fleeting thought of theft.
Zane slid into the back, inhaling the strong scent of polished leather and black coffee—most likely because of the gallons of the stuff Samuel downed on the daily. He didn’tbother making conversation, twisting his hands in his lap as Samuel started up the car and pulled away.
It seemed the pretentious snob had other ideas.
“I’ll have to report this, Master Solace.” The prick didn’t even have the decency to pretend he felt bad about that.
“Just focus on doing your job, Samuel,” Zane replied coolly. “I’ll do the same.”
Because once he’d graduated and officially became the Royal Physician of the Imperial family, Zane planned on making the driver pay for all his taunts and underhanded remarks.
His palm itched to grab the scalpel from his messenger bag, mind already conjuring what it might look like to slit the man’s throat.
How the blood would spray and obscure the window in a violent, lovely burst of crimson.
Chapter 3:
White wasn’t the best color for lurking in the shadows but there was something to be said about the way blood seeped into the material and practically bloomed.
Maybe he should rethink his wardrobe.
There wasn’t really a need to stay hidden anymore.
Pavel hummed to himself as he worked, the metallic handle of the tiny blade already warmed from his body heat. He held it lightly, making a sweeping gesture that sliced through flesh and caused another spray of scarlet to splatter across his face. A bit of it landed on his lips and he sucked his full bottom one in, relishing the burst of saltiness on his tongue.
Not too long ago he’d killed a man for Flix Fulmini at his club, but that had only mildly curbed his appetite for violence. There was something soothing about gore. About watching the life drain away. Seeing a person come apart, both internally and externally.
Most of the Devils of Vitality had a cruel streak, but it stemmed from their lavish upbringings and having their nannies wiping their asses with golden cloth until they could walk on their own. Murder to them equated to indifference. He couldn’t think of a single Devil who hadn’t taken at least one life, but hecould also count on one hand how many of them had actually found pleasure in the act.
How boring.
Normal.
He thought these things even though his brother undoubtedly made the list. For all his aggression and attitude, Ledger couldn’t care less about the kill. If he went the rest of his life without ever feeling the warmth of blood on his hands again, he wouldn’t give two shits.
Not like Pavel. But then, that was only one of the many differences between them, not just because Pavel was adopted. He’d been taken in by the Undergroves at a young age, had grown up alongside Ledger, and had moved from their home world Hexa to Vitality when they’d been seventeen.
A year later, Zane arrived on planet and was gifted to Kelevra for his eighteenth birthday.
Pavel had been angry.
But not because Zane had been presented like a rare gem instead of a person.
He’d been angry because he’d been given to Kelevra instead of him.
But at least the prince appreciated Zane and knew his worth. That was the reason Pavel had stepped aside and allowed it. Why he’d been a dutiful soldier in Kelevra’s personal “army” all this time.
