First, I’m not convinced Julia won’t drain her dry. Riley is Rebecca’s descendant, and we all know how she feels about Rebecca. The question is: does she hate Rebecca enough to sabotage this ritual in order to get revenge? Or will she obey Elizabeth’s orders and stop feeding before she kills Riley?
And then there’s the other thing: as I stand here watching Julia prepare to touch Riley the way she touched me, hot fury surges through me.
My jaw clenches as I watch Julia’s gaze rake over Riley’s body. Those are the same eyes that looked at me with desire in the forest, and now they’re fixed on Riley like I don’t even exist.
And Riley… The skin I’ve kissed all over is about to be claimed by someone else. Someone else is about to touch her, undress her, make her feel pleasure.
Riley stands taller, glaring at Julia. “My safe word is venom.”
“Safe word?” Julia asks.
“Yes. You hear the word, and you fucking stop. Got it?”
Julia chuckles. “You won’t want me to stop, love.”
“I say venom, you stop,” Riley repeats firmly.
“All right, then.”
There’s a pause.
“Any other terms?” Elizabeth asks.
Riley shakes her head.
“Are you ready to surrender?” Elizabeth asks.
Riley nods. She doesn’t even hesitate.
“Julia, you’re ready to feed?”
Julia’s lip curls.
“You may begin,” Elizabeth says. “Stay within the pentagram.”
They step toward each other.
My stomach twists, and I have to lock my knees to keep from moving. The binding spell tugs at my chest, wanting to be closer.
Julia’s gaze rakes over Riley’s body—the same hungry assessment she gave me in the forest. Those piercing eyes trace Riley’s collarbone, the curve of her neck, the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
I know exactly what Julia sees. I’ve kissed every inch of that skin in my bed, in her car, against my kitchen counter… I’ve tasted the spot where Riley’s shoulder meets her throat and felt her pulse quicken under my lips.
And now Julia is going to put her mouth there and draw sounds that only I’m supposed to draw from her.
My fingernails dig into my palms. The candle beside me flares higher, maybe responding to my agitation.
“Hannah.” Elizabeth’s warning is soft but firm. “Stay still. Any disruption could destabilize the triangle.”
I force myself to breathe. To watch.
Julia reaches out slowly—she’s savoring this, the bitch—and cups Riley’s face with both hands. Her fingers look pale and ghostly in the strange lighting.
Riley’s breath catches, just like mine did.
“Look at me,” Julia murmurs, and Riley’s eyes lock onto hers.
I’ve heard that voice before, velvety and commanding. The voice that made me want to surrender everything.
