Control had a taste—metallic and bitter.
I turned and walked out. By the time I reached the stairs, my hands were shaking. My fangs ached, useless things demanding what I refused to take. I gripped the railing until the wood groaned beneath my hand.
I needed the night.
The cool air.
The distance.
Chapter 13
Cristian
The next morning, I stood outside Nadia’s door. She’d locked it again. Apparently, she did not appreciate being snuck up on and accidentally revealing secrets to me… like her desire to sniff my laundry.
I could hear her voice on the other side, low and distracted. “Lesson plans… curriculum mapping…”
What sorcery wascurriculum mapping? It sounded like a battle strategy designed by the dull.
The floorboards creaked beneath me as I paced the hallway. She had forbade me from entering her chambers. Again.
I had been many things in my life—general, diplomat, prisoner—but never dismissed for the sake of arithmetic.
“She has chosen books over me,” I muttered.
My reflection in the hallway mirror stared back at me, unimpressed. I ignored it.
If she would not come to me, I would adapt to her world. Understand her strange rituals ofgrading papersandthird grade math.Learn her language. She’d been impressed that I’d known the phrase “invitation-only,” hadn’t she? How much more impressed would she be if I picked up more of this modern vernacular?
That decision led me to the kitchen, to the black cylinder on the counter. The witch’s voice lived inside it.
I folded my arms. “Alexa Witch. Awaken.”
The blue light flared. “I’m here. What can I help you with today?”
I flinched. “Do not mock me with your sorcery, demon. I come seeking truce.”
A pause. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“You did,” I said darkly. “You caught it like a fever.”
Silence. Then: “Would you like me to play music?”
“No,” I snapped. “Teach me to speak the tongue of the peasants.”
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”
“Fine. Teach me… what did she call it… American slang.”
Another pause. Then, cheerfully: “Here are some popular slang terms!”
The cylinder began to speak rapidly, listing words like spells.
“Slay, queen. Slay.”
I frowned. “Slay whom?”
“Let’s get this bread.”
