Page 114 of Their Blood Queen

Cage’s chin dips in a light nod. He’s willing to take a risk that this King can lead us to our Sigil.

To Scarlett.

Kneeling at Cain’s side, I run my fingers over his palm and turn his hand to the side to expose his wrist. Thick veins throb in invitation, and my fangs ache.

I feed on mortals, but that’s because mortals are the ones who are most connected to the world of dreams. Creativity and ambition is practically inscribed in their DNA.

This beast… he is a master of dreams.

When I sink my canines into his skin, the burst of power that burns my throat makes me groan. I latch on and take a long pull, drawing the life force into my mouth.

So fucking good.

Cage does the same, and I sense his presence in a trio of power.

Something snaps the moment we’re all together. Cain throws his head back, and an inhuman growl rumbles through the room.

The shattered glass seems to duplicate and expand over the floor until we’re standing on a broken mirror.

I look down at my bloodthirsty reflection, only to feel the world spin and change.

And then we’re in the Dream Realm.

And falling into a place of blood, of tears, and of endless suffering.

This must not be how portal travel is supposed to work in the Dream Realm, because Cain growls a single word.

“Fuck.”

CHAPTER 32

SCARLETT

“Cain!” I cry as I spot him finally appearing in the blood-red sky.

I’ve been stuck in this place for hours. It made no sense why I couldn’t find him. It seemed like every time I closed my eyes, my figment was there waiting for me.

I should have known something was wrong.

My heart races, and I lift onto my toes as if I can reach him if I just try hard enough.

The first time I met him in the real word, he caught me when I lifted in a dance.

Now, I wish I could catch him.

He’s not alone. Two others fall with him as they plummet through the clouds. Dark shadows streak above them as they twist and writhe, making me wonder if they are in pain.

The world cracks with Cain’s roar, and the rivers of blood surge as if ready to gobble them up.

My chest tightens as they strike the surface of a river swollen with blood. The impact shatters the world as if everything has fractured into glass. Very real shards splinter out in all directions, and one of them drives right into me.

My reality splits into multiple possibilities. The shard engulfs me for a moment, showing me what my life could have been like had things been different.

In an alternate world, I’m still lying in my bed. Edward’s mother never came to have me humiliated, and I wasn’t found wanting.

My dream beasts aren’t lost in this world. They aren’t plummeting from the sky.

They’re with me, revealing the truth to me in a much more pleasant way.

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