Doveand I must look harmless, abused, and vulnerable.
Just as Wraith insisted.
I have no doubt that Lucius, the smartest of the Golden family, is behind the theatrics of this evening. It feels like a play with everyone and everything perfectly taking their role to present the right impression to Lanlin.
To trick and manipulate him.
How could a Blood not feel protective and possessively attracted toward both his Omega and a captive of his enemy who are not being treasured? In fact, who are being treated like trash, when Shadow Vampires worship and cherish their bonded Omegas?
No wonder everybody here is looking terrified. Lanlin is coming to finally take back his Omega, and when he sees me displayed like this, he will want to tear out the throats of everyone here.
I hope that Aurelius knows what he’s doing.
I can’t resist nuzzling my cheek against his leg. It may be my last chance to show him any tenderness.
Aurelius stiffens. Then he gently strokes a strand of hair behind my ear, while never looking down at me.
Daire squeezes my hand, mouthing, “I love you.”
Suddenly, the heavy main doors burst open.
I jump. My pulse pounds in my ears.
Lanlin is here.
Terrifying shadows like incense infused smoke roll into the banquet hall, blinding the moon.
I choke.
The shadows spill like blood split from an artery through the entire hall and up the walls, before coating the windows. I peer through the shadows, uneasily.
My heart is in my mouth.
Where is the Shadow Vampire King?
Unexpectedly, a lion’s roar echoes through the hall, loud enough to rattle the windows. Then its twin, a low-pitched bellow that makes me tremble.
The hair rises on the back of my neck.
When I cringe back, Daire wraps his wings around me. He wrenches his curls out of Aurelius’ hold to shuffle in front of me.
Then two sets of flaming red eyes appear through the shadows.
Gasps and screams spread through the hall.
When two demonic lions slink forward, my breath is stolen.
They are wicked, horrifying, and majestic.
At least the size of horses, the demonic lions are muscular and woven out of shadows and blood.
Shadows curl from them like black tendrils.
It makes my skin crawl. I tremble.
The demonic lions’ magic feels wrong, as if it doesn’t come from the Shadow Realms but instead, a different realm that is even more ancient and powerful.
Primal.
