Page 59 of Wicked Bite
I hesitated. We’d never crossed the line between brotherhood and loyalty to the crown. To me, being friends with Grayson was one in the same. We were loyal to each other. “Best not.”
“Anything that need be cleaned up?” He was calm and collected. I knew deep down he cared for Grayson more like a son than a nephew. They were blood of blood. Titus would step in front of death for Grayson any day of the week. Even so, if he knew how close Grayson had come to touching the curse, it would unnerve him. And in the year of the prophecy, we needed a strong royal house.
“I’ve handled all things.”
He gave me a nod. “He seems troubled as of late.”
“Yes.”
“How can I help?”
Emotions were not my strong suit. I stood there trying to offer some molecule of advice. When I stood for long moments, unmoving, he shook his head. “I’ll speak with Moira.”
“Better decision.” Anything even remotely emotional should go to Moira. “Anything else?”
He handed me a piece of paper. “Reports of a feral just came in. I need it dealt with.”
I took the paper and glanced at the location and handed it back. “Is the team ready?”
“Already mobilized and awaiting you.” He paused. “If it can’t be saved . . . put it down.”
“Understood.” I gave him a single nod and headed out the door.
“And, Savage,” he called after me.
I stopped and glanced back at him. He met my eye. “Reports are it’s strong. Very strong.”
Interesting. “Makes the hunt all the better.”
“Let me know how it goes.” He waved me away and I was out the door.
I marched down the hall to my room. When I got there, I ripped my shirt off and threw it on the bed. My tattoos vibrated across my skin, waiting to be called upon. I ran my finger over my chest and Poe, my raven, emerged from my skin. I called on the blood magic that vibrated through my body and brought the nightmares pictured there to life. A fine red mist covered my skin like a sheen of sweat. The reaper on my back was next. I ran my finger over it and my body heated up, forcing all the power to that one point. Leather straps circled around my arms and neck like armor. A thick black hood went up and over my head. The sword tattoo on my arms ensured I always had my weapons with me.
I stepped up to the mirror and barely brushed it with my fingertip. It rippled under my power, and Poe cawed and soared right into it. I quickly followed and hurried down the cold hall that would take me to my destination. My footsteps didn’t echo off these walls like others did. I moved silently, as though flying over the floor. At the end of the hall was the other end of the rippling mirror the team would’ve set up at the location. Poe dove into the mirror and soared through first. When I stepped through, I walked into a tactical deployment. The entire team was dressed in head-to-toe black army gear. Each of them was strapped with blades on their hips and ankles. Assault rifles hung from their shoulders at the ready. The guns wouldn’t kill a vampire, but they damn sure would slow it down.
Jester, the leader of the assault team, smiled and nodded at me. “Savage.”
We slapped hands and did a half bro hug. “Jester, what do we got?”
He was just a bit shorter than me and more muscular—the way a human navy seal might’ve been built. His jaw was square and bulky. His nose was flat and complimented his almond-shaped eyes.
“Nothing like I’ve seen before.”
Interesting. “How so?”
“I sent two of my guys after it already. They never came back. This one is strong. Very strong. But it doesn’t act in the normal ways.” He pulled a map from his pocket and held it out to me. He ran his finger in a line over the thickly wooded area. “It’s moving in zig zags all over this area.”
“What does it want?” Usually, feral vampires only went after one thing . . . blood.
“It’s trying to feed.”
“Trying to?” I glanced up at him. “Is it defective in some way?”
“Quite the opposite. She’s something to behold, but she can’t seem to keep any blood down at all. It seems whatever she drinks comes right back up.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention. “She?”
The guys all nodded. Jester scoffed. “Oh, yeah. She.”
