Page 122 of Plug and Drain

Susie could not speak. She felt sick and cold, and even though the sun was shining again, it did not warm her.

She was so cold, and Nathaniel’s presence was not helping matters.

“Take care in how you proceed, Susanna. There is not a soul that Arken would not eradicate for the ones he loves. And you, little wolf…” He chuckled softly. “I can scarcely believe I’m saying this. But it seems that you, a wolf of no consequence, hold his life in your hands.”

His words were like poison, seeping into her and tainting any part that had ever believed she was a good person.

Nathaniel was in her face as he continued, “Play your cards right, and I do believe he would raze the Capital and watch it burn for you.”

Susie swallowed the hard lump in her throat, her words faint. “I would never ask that of him. Or of anyone. I…I don’t want that.”

“Are you quite sure about that?”

“Yes!”

“Hmm. Well…” He drew back, something in his posture relaxing as he regarded her with glimmering eyes. “I won’t sell my investment properties, then.”

Susie sighed, “I don’t understand why you’re bothering to talk to me.”

“I’m warning you because Arken is my friend. And because you are not.” She felt herself wilt at his returned coldness, which was not softened by his smug smile. “You are a weakness. So, if I may offer some advice…I strongly suggest you stay away from him, Susanna. With any luck, Arken will forget you.”

Susie hated him. She really did. He twisted everything, and she knew he was trying to confuse her on purpose. But she wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. “I understand you perfectly. I’ll stay away from Arken.”

Nathaniel’s gaze bore into hers for several seconds. “See that you do.”

He waited until she started walking towards Sarah and Harry before striding away. His shoes crunched on the pebbled drive, and he seemed to be heading towards the security booth by the school gates. It was far enough away that he’d be out of sight of the school’s entrance soon.

Susie bit her lip, thinking.

“What a bloody wanker,” Harry muttered when she rejoined them.

Sarah poked his arm. “Shh, he’ll hear you! Vampires have excellent hearing. And he’s the prince!”

“Oh yeah? Well—he can suck my royal cock!” he called in a raised voice.

“Shush!”

Susie began to follow the bickering pair around the side of the academy building. But when Harry and Sarah turned the corner, she didn’t follow. Instead, she slipped away.

Harry and Sarah didn’t notice—they were having a heated argument.

Nathaniel’s warning circled in Susie’s mind as she returned to the front steps. She’d promised she would stay away from Arken.

Oh well.

She climbed up the steps, her gaze raking the dry stone. It was porous, and yet somehow unbloodied, as if someone had magically wiped it clean. The pike hummed in quiet satisfaction as she passed.

Susie hesitated when she reached the landing. There were more people here than she’d realised: a row of vampires in dark robes with greyish skin and stiff features. They stood eerily still in the shadows of the building, but their gazes snapped to her, and she suddenly felt naked and exposed. Their heads did not move, but she could feel their eyes on her as she approached Arken.

Alarm bells were ringing in her head, and it was only Arken’s presence that gave her the courage to stay when every part of her was screaming at her to flee.

Arken must have sensed her presence. His shoulders stiffened, and his voice grew a fraction louder.

As if he was ignoring her. But why?

Grief ghosted through her, and she instantly regretted her plan to speak to him.

Suddenly, a long-fingered hand with prominent tendons curled over Arken’s shoulder and pulled him aside, bringing a daunting male figure with blond hair into view.