He removed the blade from his prey’s throat and dabbed the crimson dot onto his tongue. He rolled it around inside his mouth, keeping his calm gaze on his target. His throat bobbed as he swallowed all the memories down…then he dropped my bodyguard back onto the floor, watching him land agilely onto his feet.
Lord Belshazzar leaned to the side while tucking his knife away inside his suit jacket and pressed the button on the elevator to make it move again. The lord finally glanced at me and shrugged his shoulders. “They’re loyal to you. Your father won’t be an issue in their protection, to you or to him.”
I studied the Overlord as we resumed our previous formation, the elevator continued to its destined path, my eyes tracking his movements. I finally questioned—with ample curiosity, “Is it hard for you to move at normal speed?”
He grunted, his lips curling at the corners. “No.”
“Hmm. Must be nice.” I turned my attention away from him. I pulled my gratitude up, knowing I needed to say it. “Thank you, my lord.”
“You’re welcome, your majesty.” He smirked. The vain ass knew how hard that was for me to say. “It was quick and efficient. You won’t have to talk with them and ignore me tonight.”
Jesus. He was on a fuck-mission.
Not that I would complain. Heck no, I wouldn’t.
“Fine. Plans are on again.”
A simple shrug of one shoulder. “I thought so.”
Arrogant. So damn arrogant.
I eyed the back of my bodyguard’s head, not done with words that needed to be said. “My apologies, Phoenix.”
He shrugged one shoulder, silent.
That would be all I’d get from him.
“Do any of you know how often you use your shoulders to communicate your feelings?” I asked, exasperated.
All three men shrugged around me in answer.
I threw my hands up into the air, done with it.
The elevator dinged. The doors slid open.
And a familiar vampire waited outside.
My gaze narrowed as he moved aside for us to exit onto the royal floor. I dipped my head to him, muttering grudgingly, “Joshua.”
My father’s personal assistant smirked and bowed deeply at the waist. “Your majesty.”
A slow grin graced my lips.
I liked the sound of that coming from his mouth.
He peeked up and fully noticed the others with me, his lips forming a thin line. The vampire stayed lowered, greeting, “Lord Belshazzar. It’s lovely to see you again.” He slowly rose from his bow.
Lord Belshazzar flicked a finger between us, his chilling eyes not missing our interaction. “You two know each other?”
I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes, glaring at the man from my childhood. “Yes, when we were much younger.”
Instant. “How young?”
I held my hand up at waist high. “That young.” I tipped my head in interest. “Why?”
The Overland’s shoulders visibly relaxed at my answer. “He wasn’t in your candidate file.”
I blinked. “And everyone I’ve ever known was?”
