Eric took me with a slightly disconcerted expression, eyeing me like I might turn around and bite him at any moment. I gave him a sappy smile and waved.
“What’s wrong with her?”
Liam caressed my cheek before stepping back.“She bit Niamh.”
Eric looked startled at that news.
“Drank her down like she was a fucking juice box,” Anton said, striding up as he wiped at his face. There was blood all over it. Apparently, sinking your fangs into the throat of your prey, while efficient, was also terribly messy.
“She tasted good,” I slurred.
Daniel snorted.“You’re drunk.”
I nodded. Sure felt that way.
“I’m surprised her brain isn’t scrambled,” Anton said, looking down at me.
I made a gun with my fingers and pretended to shoot him as I leaned on Eric.
Niamh screamed and staggered to her feet. I didn’t even pretend concern as she wobbled toward me. She looked like a newborn colt.
“You drank from me,” she accused, her eyes wide, her face pale.
If she’d been human, she’d have been in shock.I’d taken a lot of blood. Not enough to kill her, or any average- sized person, but enough that she would be feeling its loss.
I smiled at her, not caring that my lips were probably rimmed with blood.“Nom nom nom.”
She looked at a loss for words.
I sniffed. I thought I was very clear.
A soft laugh came from the trees, Arlan and the twins watching from their shelter.
“I want her dead,” Niamh shrieked.
“The hunt is over. Everything that happened during is forgiven,” Thomas said, moving into view. His clothes were slightly mussed and his hair just a little disheveled. Other than that, he looked untouched, his expression outwardly calm even as the power in him gave a hint of his emotions.
It waited, crouching deep inside, poised to strike.
I leaned forward and made a small sound of interest. I didn’t know it could even do that.
He flicked a look at the men at my back and made a small motion.
“Alright, time to go,” Anton said as Eric drew me back.
“She’s not going anywhere,” Niamh hissed. Her gaze shifted to those Fae who had survived.
The forest was littered with the bodies of those who’d participated in the hunt. There was panic on some faces as the vampires ghosted out of the trees.
I tried to count them but gave up after the third time I had to start again becauseI’d forgotten what I was doing. It was enough that I knew there were many more of Thomas’s people out here than had been present at the beginning of the hunt.
Those who could, fled, leaving behind the injured and dead without a backward glance.
Only a few lingered, Jerry and his couriers among them.
All watched Niamh.
“Kill her,” Niamh ordered, pointing at me.
