I blew out an aggravated breath and whirled back to the stairs. “Of course I’m up to something.”
Anger carried me up several steps as Nathan’s muttered, “I knew it,” came from behind me.
“Just because I have an agenda doesn’t give him the right to go all over-protective bear,” I spat over my shoulder. “I’m not a child. How many times do I have to prove I’m not helpless?”
I’d survived things that would kill vampires centuries older than me. Although most of vampire society considered me no more than an infant, Liam and the others knew better.
I think that’s what hurt the most. He knew what I was capable of. I might not be able to stand against beings like Ahrun or Navya, but I wasn’t without my resources.
“Maybe if you didn’t insist on keeping everything to yourself and shared what you’re going through, he would be a little more trusting?”
That brought me to a halt.
“That’s rich coming from you.”
A vigilant expression settled on Nathan’s face. Something in my tone must have warned him. Caution and wariness entered his eyes.
Too late, friend. He’d poked the bear and now he was going to experience its wrath.
“Since you insist on trust and openness, why don’t you tell me what you two have been up to in the Summer Lands?”
Nathan’s expression shut down, his enforcer mask firmly in place.
“That’s what I thought. It’s not so fun when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?”
They spoke of trust and yet they couldn’t extend me the same courtesy. Talk about hypocrisy.
“You don’t have to worry, Nathan. Thomas and Liam know why I’m really here,” I said bitterly, starting up the steps again.
This time it wasn’t anger fueling me but rather a grim resignation.
We could go round and round on this all night and not solve anything. Best to leave the subject alone.
“Aileen,” Nathan pleaded, his sorrowful tone following me up the last of the stairs.
I ignored him as I reached the level through which we’d entered. The crowd had grown thicker in the short time since I’d been below.
I stopped, finding all eyes on me. They stared. Avarice and desire in their faces. Like they considered me a tasty treat ripe for the plucking.
Nathan’s presence hit my back, his glower making the weaker among them look away. Only those who thought they had a chance against the enforcer continued to stare, watching as Nathan set a hand on my back to guide me forward.
“Let’s go, A,” he ordered.
I didn’t move, rage and something else, something darker filling my chest.
They thought I was easy pickings. That my youth and lack of experience meant they could treat me like prey.
Teach them that they’re wrong, the darkness inside of me whispered.You are a queen. Make them bow before you.
My power unfurled, bringing the taste of their magic to my mouth. It settled on my tongue like boba jellies. The slightly squishy texture almost impossible to resist biting down on.
I cradled one of the magic boba’s between my teeth, rolling it around. Just one bite and it would pop in my mouth. What would happen then? Would it fill me up like nourishment? Would its owner feel the theft?
The temptation to find out had my jaw tensing.
Do it, my darkness crooned.
“A—you alright?”
