Page 20 of Hunger & Harmony

“You asked if I’m forgetting something.”

A hiss emits from his between his fangs.

“What am I forgetting?” I ask, hands on my hips and foot tapping. “Especially that’s more important than⁠—”

“You’re forgetting my title.”

I’m pretty sure my jaw is in the parking garage.

“You want me to address you properly when you’re the one in the way?”

My breath catches when he sharply turns, in my face so fast that I’m forced to stagger backwards.

“Always address me properly,” he says, voice barely above a whisper.

His burgundy eyes narrow in hostility, but I can see the exhaustion lining them. When my gaze lingers, it’s obvious just how weary he is. From his posture to the faint tremor in his hands, it looks like he hasn’t had a moment of rest this whole time.

“Are you okay?”

He flinches as if I slapped him. That’s even more concerning. Behind him, the door begins to open.

“No, seriously, you don’t look so good,” I say, taking a step forward. “Can I get you anything?”

His expression becomes neutral. Almost too much so. Before he can even respond, Ryel speaks from behind him.

“We’re starting, Your Majesty.”

Niko doesn’t even acknowledge him. He lifts a finger at me, the blood-red guitar pick necklace glinting furiously.

“Juice boxes like you should know your place.”

Stunned into silence, I can only watch as he whips back around and stalks into the room. Ryel’s mouth curves in satisfaction as he follows. I grit my teeth, clinging to my primary goal of freedom at this forsaken job to keep calm.

I should stop being nice to him. If Niklaus Vane, king of vampires, leader of Arteria, and technically my boss, wants to make an enemy of me, then so be it. He said it himself. This ‘juice box’ will definitely not be offering unsolicited help to him ever again!

Uncurling my fists and releasing a breath, I then breeze into the room. By the time I sit next to Lorelai at the far end of the meeting table, I barely even care. Who even likes their boss? Mine just particularly sucks.

I suppress a giggle at that thought.

All of Arteria and a couple of other crew members are here. Selene stands at Niko’s right side at the end of the table. Ryel sits to his left, the giddiest smile I’ve ever seen glued to his smug face. Ezren‌ sits stone-still and quiet as a mouse to the right. The windows are covered, warm lamps countering the blackout curtains.

My mind wants to wander to goofy vampire insults as Selene speaks, but I catch the most important things. We’re leaving right at sunset and will travel throughout the night. It’s a sharp turnaround to be in time for the next show.

“We won’t linger,” Selene then says, and a few hums of agreement sound.

Implying danger? Or bad blood in Gravemont, at the very least? It seems I’ll have to find out for myself, as she’s already wrapping up the meeting without elaborating.

“We’ll see everyone at six o’clock.”

Niko is up and out the door before anyone else. Not that I’m keeping tabs as I gather myself.

“Check in with me before four-thirty,” Lorelai says. “I expect everything to be taken care of.”

I salute her.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Waving as she leaves, I then reach into my pocket. Before I can take out my work phone and get started, a lanky shadow casts over me.