But I am going to fucking destroy Sobek, the House of Crocodile, the entire Blood Kingdom.
Finally, Sobek raises his head, licking his lips. “I didn’t expect that a traitor would turn out to be my Omega bond mate. Fate is unpredictable.”
My gaze snaps to Sobek’s hard gray eyes. “He’s your Omega? By the Shadow Devils, then claim him. Don’t drink anymore, bastard. Can’t you tell how close to death he is? Take him to a healer.”
I stiffen with shock, when Sobek spits Barnabas’ blood onto the ground.
“Revolting. Why would I want to take a heretic into my nest? Mother would never accept a lowly fawn like this into Crocodile House.” He grips Barnabas’ chin harshly, yanking his unresisting head around to try and make him focus on him.
“Don’t.” My voice is low. “Isn’t this enough? Just don’t…”
“I reject you,” Sobek says with grim satisfaction. “Do you hear that, Omega? I break our bond.”
Barnabas arches in despair. Tears course from his eyes.
Just for a moment, he appears to gain a sudden clarity through the pain and blood loss.
He meets the Alpha’s eyes, before he spits into his face.
“Rebel to the end.” I tighten my hold on Barnabas’ hand, filled with pride. “You showed them. You’re a stag. You’re a…”
Snap.
Sobek breaks Barnabas’ neck like he’s nothing: not an Omega, Blood Lover, or his Omega bond.
My friend.
When he drops Barnabas’ lax body, Barnabas’ hand falls from mine.
I can’t hold onto it, but then, I can’t hold onto his soul.
I don’t even know where the soul of a heretic Shadow Human flies after death…if I will see him, when I follow him soon.
Despair hits me like a whirlwind.
I throw my head back and howl to the heartless stars.
“Stop that barbarous noise, savage.” Sobek wipes his hand across his mouth, cleaning it with a grimace. “Although, after what that little monster took from my brother with his worthlessdemonic lions, it would only be fair for me to take the Blood Lover from him who he is too scared to take for himself.”
Lost in my grief, I don’t realize what he means, until Sobek has rolled off Barnabas and onto me.
He’s heavy, pressing me down into the rocky earth.
He’s taller and larger than me, an oppressive weight on top of me that reminds me sickeningly of all the times that I played courtesan for Maximinus.
Except those times I had a concealed weapon on me and a plan for how I’d slit the throat of my mark.
I was in control.
I’m not now.
“May you be damned to hell, you bloody bastard.” I struggle, as Sobek pins my wrists in one of his strong hands, using his other to force my neck to the side. “Why don’t you just kill me?”
“Tempting, fae, since I have executed more of your kind than most, but you’ll be more useful to hurt Lan alive than dead. And I enjoy hurting him more than anyone.”
My wings are crushed painfully beneath me. My heart is racing in terror.
My ravens dive, attacking Sobek’s back, but they can’t peck through his crocodile armor.
