CHAPTER ONE
~ Kimber ~
Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States of America
Atlantic Coast
What the hellwas this realm?
What insanity had we plunged into by following King Belshazzar and Queen Gwynnore back through the gate? There were fires and explosions, hand cannons the likes of which I had never dreamed possible. Things flew through the air that weren’t birds or the work of trebuchets. And still above that chaos, things ripped through the sky that roared and screamed and rained down more fire and destruction.
Savion would have loved this chaos.
Me? Not so much.
Gwen had two hand cannons—guns—in her hands, and Bel had a much larger weapon. Something he called arifle. He could drop an enemy at a hundred strides.
Dorian had a smirk on his face as we raced through the flames and destruction.
He loved this.
Me? Not so much.
Rilen and Roran had flanked me, and Aiko was behind me. Oddly enough, my twins seemed to know this place. Aiko, though, didn’t, and he was clearly unsure. It didn’t stop him from being determined to protect me.
Amidst the death was a permeating…stench. Well, themeof just a few weeks ago would have called it a stench. This new me, the impossible blend of vampire and druid, called itdelicious.
Blood.
The dead, the dying, the wounded surrounded us, and their scent filled me, called to me.
“Ilati, are you all right?” Rilen asked quietly. Perhaps not quietly, only just loud enough to hear over the cacophony around us.
I shook my head.
Aiko shook his head.
Comprehension slid over Rilen’s face. “Are you going to go berserker?”
“I…don’t think so.” I sniffed the air. “I can’t make that promise, though.”
Aiko licked his lips. “The temptation is distressingly strong. Why? I’ve never felt this around any druids or vampires.”
“Humans,” Roran said. “From what I remember, their blood is sweet and strong and able to sustain a vampire easily.”
Remember? I stared at him. “Remember?”
He coughed, and Rilen shook his head. “Story for another day,ilati. We have a war happening around us, and I think we should pay attention.”
“What war is this? What world is this?” I huddled down low with the twins and Aiko as King Belshazzar strolled up, licking his fingers again.
Dorian rolled his eyes. “Are you going to kill everyone?”
“If I feel like it, yes.”
“This is a war,” Gwen said. “And this is my world that we’re fighting over. So either pick up a gun and help or just shut up and hide.”
“No!” Bel snapped. “Kimber stays hidden. We’re not risking her neck. One or two members of your little harem can stay here with you and protect you.”
