My chest tightens. “You know what? Forget it. Every time I try to reach you, you slam the door in my face.”
“Ihaveto slam the door,” she fires back, stepping closer. “If I don’t, everything will fall apart.”
Before I can respond, there’sa low whir of wings cutting through the fog. The sound isn’t natural. It’s too heavy.
I instinctively reach for the dagger at my hip, already stepping slightly in front of Serenya before I even register the movement. My pulse hammers in my ears, every sense snapping to attention.
A massive bat drops out of the mist. It swoops low, circles once, then dives, shifting midair in a ripple of shadow and magic that prickles across my skin.
A tall figure lands in a crouch, his cloak settling around him like smoke made flesh. Pale skin, silver eyes gleaming, and a sharp, knowing smile.
My grip tightens on my blade until my knuckles ache. Every instinct in me screams predator.
“What in the gods—” I mutter, taking half a step forward.
The figure rises to full height, pulling his hood up with gloved hands. He smirks at Serenya before flicking his gaze toward me.
“You got a puppy,” the stranger drawls, voice smooth as silk. “How quaint.”
My jaw sets. I don’t move, don’t look away. “Step back,” I say in a low voice to Serenya. “Now.”
She groans. Loudly.
“Oh, for the love of—put the blade away, Koen.”
I don’t budge, muscles straining tight. “He’s a vampire.”
“Yes. Thank you for the brilliant observation.” She rolls her eyes.
“Avampire,” I repeat, as if she didn’t hear me. “Don’t just stand there—”
“He’s not going to kill us.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, Ido.”
“Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it when he just dropped from the sky.”
The vampire chuckles, low and amused, clearly savoring every second of this. His smile curves wider as he looks Serenya over. “I do admire his instincts. You should keep him, Ren. He’s quite entertaining.”
The familiarity—Ren—sparks hot in my chest. My jaw clenches so tight I’m surprised my teeth don’t crack.
“You’re brave,” he says, stepping closer with the deliberate ease of someone who knows exactly how much space he owns. “And a bit reckless. But not entirely stupid. You obviously hate what I am, but you’ve never seen a vampire in person until now, have you?”
I force my grip tighter on the dagger. “I don’t need to have met one to know what your kind does.”
“Ah. That old song.” His smile widens, sharp and bright against his pale face.
Serenya groans again, crossing her arms. “Would you both stop?”
“Koen,” she says sharply, “you can’t even protect yourself very well. You nearly got killedthree days ago. What do you think you’re going to do against the vampire king?”
I freeze. “Thewhat?” There’s no way I heard that right.
He bows slightly and winks. “King Dimitri Zalyth of Noctheron.”
“You’re joking,” I say, glancing at Serenya.
