Page 78 of Wicked Bite
I glanced at Grayson, and he gave me a little nod of encouragement. I laid my fingers in Marius’ palm, and he tugged me close to him. I stumbled forward, and before I even stood straight, Titus and Grayson were beside me like two guard dogs. They hissed a warning at him, but he didn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he held on tighter. Marius chuckled and bent low over it and pressed his clammy lips to my skin. I shoved my hand forward and yanked it back hard, knocking Marius to the ground at my feet.
“Oops.” I wiped the back of my hand down the side of my dress. Gross. “I’m really having a hard time getting used to this whole super strong thing.”
He popped to his feet and gave me a little bow. “Difficult when you’re new.”
“Riighhtt. That’s what it was.” This guy reminded of all the skeevy ones who came to the bar and hit on me. I knocked them on their asses too. I guess there wasn’t that big of a difference between vampires and humans after all.
Theon chuckled and shook his head. “That’s a first.”
“I’m sure it won’t be a last.” I narrowed my eyes at him. I didn’t need this on my first night as a vampire. I wasn’t some toy to be tugged on between both sides of some odd vampire hierarchy I didn’t understand.
“Marius.” Titus waved his hand and the vampire stood straight and faced him as though following a silent command. “Do not forget you are a guest in my castle and can be easily replaced. As stated, we have other ambassadors who would love your job.”
Sweat beaded his brow and his muscles shook like he fought whatever hold Titus had on him. His eyes bugged from his head and the muscle in his jaw ticked with annoyance. “Yes, and give my regards to your sister, will you?”
Another waved of his hand and Titus released him. Marius stood straight. He pulled at the collar of his sweater. Titus turned his back to Marius and walked up the dais toward his throne. “And you have the job of ambassador by my will alone. Next time, decorum is necessary . . . and perhaps a tie.”
“Yes, my King.” If ever a man had gotten knocked down a peg or two, it was Marius in this moment. He gave him a deep bow, and his cocky attitude was held in check, though it visibly pained him to do so. This was a vampire who owned his own little piece beyond these walls. I’d seen gang leaders like that. But there was always a bigger fish, and Titus was the megalodon to Marius’ little minnow.
Titus whirled around and sat down on the throne. He crossed his legs, then waved him away. “Next time be on time. I will see all vampires are well. You are dismissed.”
Without another word, Marius and Theon darted from the room in a blur of movement.
Grayson rounded on Titus. “He’s a bloody fucking halfwit, he is.”
“I don’t disagree.” Titus sighed.
“We need a new ambassador, Uncle. The crown has been working toward advantages for all vampires. Is he really the right choice in this matter? You did not have him in mind when you started to change our world.”
“Indeed, I did not. But that is a problem for another day.” He waved toward me. “Just go register her.”
“I will.” Grayson grabbed my hand and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. He rubbed it over the spot where Marius kissed my hand. “Disgusting sack of piss.”
“Tonight.” Titus seethed from his throne.
Grayson opened his mouth to argue, but Moira stepped between the two of them. “Sometimes it’s better to just get things out of the way. Would you not agree?”
I could see Titus and Grayson butted heads even if they did love each other. “I’ve never been to London. It might be fun to see some of it.”
Grayson sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. “Very well. Tonight it is.”
Titus glared at him. “This is what happens when you have to clean up the mess you’ve made.”
Grayson looked me up and down. “Or my greatest accomplishment yet.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
PIPER
“Stop staring at me.”
“I can’t help it.” I didn’t take my eyes off Sav. “I knew you were a vampire.”
He didn’t look at me. He just kept on walking down the hall. “I don’t think when one sees a person, they think vampire right away. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I doubted your abilities to judge me so in your human life.”
“Oh, yes I did. You’re too . . .” I wrapped my arms around myself and pretended to shiver, “. . . like, cold and creepy.”
“On the contrary, I’m quite warm-blooded.” He arched an eyebrow at me. “Creepy?”
