His slightly red eyes met mine, and he gave me a smirk that showed off his sharp fangs.
In my panic, I had moved to face him, pushing Aurelia behind me.
“Forever the protector,” he said in a cheery voice that felt more like a sneer.
Aurelia peeked around me, her hand brushing across my arm. It was her way of telling me to stand down without actually saying the words, but I had trouble moving. Especially when Adrian looked at me with such disdain.
Before this, he made the effort to hide how much he truly hated me, but it seemed that he was done playing.
It made me worried. For both my lovers.
“I wanted to go over some details with you about tomorrow.” His eyes fell to Aurelia. “Do you have time for a feeding?”
“Yes,” she said quickly and stepped around me. “I’m parched.”
Her brother gave me a long look.
“Is yourtoyjoining?”
I opened my mouth to say yes, but Aurelia beat me to it.
“No, she hasn’t been performing well. That's why I had to stay so long today.” Her tone was extra snooty, and I tried to pretend like it didn't hurt me, but I knew she could feel it in the bond. “She will retire until she is well enough to serve.”
Adrian let out a snort.
“It’s because you tire her out. It wouldn’t be like this if you’d chosen a born vampire.”
I clenched my fists, trying to keep the growl from rising up in my chest.
“Maybe for the next one,” Aurelia casually commented as she allowed herself to be pulled away. Just as she was about to disappear, she gave me a look that told me how sorry she was.
Keep it together,I told myself.You have bigger things to deal with than her shitty attitude.
I waited until they were out of sight before I started trying to follow the remnants of the bond, but because of how dormant it was, I couldn’t pinpoint an exact direction.
So I did what I would do as a hunter. I focused on the lower levels, where she had gone. Taking one of the staircases down, I went further into the palace. I remembered doing this another time, sneaking around, trying to kill the princess.
Back then it had been risky, but this time if I failed, it wasn't just my life that would be on the line. It could mean trouble for all of us.
My footsteps echoed in the empty hallways. The upper floors still had some workers mulling about doing their job, but there was no one here.
Weird.
Every moment that passed had me more worried about Cedar. I was constantly looking over my shoulder, feeling like I was being followed.
Where are you?
The sun had set over five hours ago. The coming-of-age ceremony would be happening in a mere six hours. Aurelia wouldn’t be coming to help.
I need to find Cedar.
We’ve been living in enemy territory and plotting against him. Maybe he finally figured out what we’re trying to do.
It scared me. I had already been so close to losing both of them. I couldn't let it happen again.
The silence in the bond was the most frightening thing I'd ever felt.
It feels like Cedar istruly gone.
