Page 16 of Wicked Thirst
A chill went down my spine. Sanchita had been missing for hours. “Is my friend down there? Her name is Sanchita. Have you seen her anywhere?”
He gave me a single nod. “She was found with Marius’ group as they ran like cowards from the castle. They struck and ran. I plan on hunting them one by one until the very last draws his final traitorous breath. Your friend is being held for questioning.”
What? How? Anger warred within me. I understood being cautious, but this was Sanchita we were talking about. She was a vampire who couldn’t hurt a fly if she was ordered to. With wild, dark hair and a slight frame, she even looked harmless. Her abilities were minimal as far as vampires went. The Blood Borns could easily overpower her.
I tried to keep my voice even. “She’s harmless, Atlas.”
“That is of no concern to me. I have my own ends to accomplish. It’s of little consequence to me who gets imprisoned in the short term to get what I want.” He waved a dismissive hand toward me like my concerns were nothing to him. He was about to step around me when I stepped to the side, blocking his way.
“And you thought she would be able to help you? She’s not a warrior, Atlas. She’s a civilian.” Annoyance flooded my body, and yet I held still. There was too much happening with Grayson and the war. This was an easy fix, and I would see to it.
“By giving me information about you.” He took a step toward me, towering over me. “I’ve been wasting my time looking for you, the female who tortured my only friend to the brink of madness.”
No longer the brink.
“Well, here I am. You’ve found me. Now you can let her go.” The soldier next to Atlas growled in my direction. But I was not going to put up with this shit, not when Grayson needed us all. This was wasting time and hurting others who didn’t deserve it. I lifted my chin. “Now.”
“I’m afraid that isn’t your call or mine any longer.” His words were so dismissive, like I would have no sway in this situation. But I was Grayson’s progeny and that meant something in this world. It meant I had power, real power.
A growl rumbled in my chest. “You’ve made a mistake here.”
The soldier took a step closer to his side and Atlas waved him off. “We’re fine here, Jester.”
I didn’t like Sanchita being held against her will. Deep down I knew they’d scared her for no reason. I didn’t like how it made the crown look, or Grayson, or me. When Jester didn’t move, I felt something rise in me, perhaps it was anger, panic, or the need to protect Sanchita. Power sizzled under my skin and the fine red mist flowed from my skin. It glowed like glitter between us. I called upon it, holding it there between us, daring either of them to step into it.
Jester took a slow, cautious step back. His eyes were locked on the mist as though it were acid that’d burn him. “Sav.”
Atlas held his arm in front of Jester and pushed him back even farther. He took a small step back. “I see it.” Atlas glared at the glittering mist between us. “It would be in your interest to put your blood magic away.”
“Blood magic?” I turned my hand around, examining the mist seeping from it. “Is that what we’re calling it? In that case, I think it’d be in your best interest to set my friend free.”
“The nasty little time bomb of magic floating around you. Have you got any idea what it does yet?” He moved very slowly as though not to provoke me, even though I already felt pissed off and provoked.
I arched my eyebrows at him. “Made-vampires don’t have blood magic. Or so I’m told.”
“I’ve seen a lot of weird things tonight. You having blood magic is the least of them.” Atlas reached out and let my mist hit his hand. He sucked in a sharp breath, then narrowed his eyes at me. He yanked his hand back and curled it into a fist as he lowered it to his side.
My mind lingered on Grayson’s current state. As much as I wanted to stay here and test my newfound abilities on Atlas and his lackey, I didn’t have time. I dropped my hand and took a step to move past them. Atlas took a step to the side, blocking my way. He gazed down at me with those intense eyes. They lingered on my appearance, but I would say nothing to him about the events of tonight. At least not until I spoke with Titus and Moira first.
“Where is Grayson?”
“I don’t know.” Not a lie, but I wasn’t going to just tell him everything that was going on. I knew Atlas was close with Titus and Moira, but I was here to talk to them and only them. I didn’t want any rogue vampires going after Grayson, not without a plan. Titus was levelheaded, but Atlas was dramatic as fuck.
“You’re lying.” He ground his teeth together and let his fangs extend.
“I’m not scared of you, Sav. So, move. I have business with the King. That’s why I’m here.” I didn’t have time to stand here and bullshit with Atlas. Grayson needed me and all the backup Titus could offer, and now I would have to talk to him about Sanchita’s release as well.
“Haven’t you noticed the King is occupied, what with being on the brink of war? Now tell me where Gray is, and we both can be on our way.”
Anger flowed through me, and I felt it moving to the surface. Mist exploded from me in a cloud of red smoke. We were surrounded by it. I felt each particle like they were little strings I could twist and pull at any moment. I could only think one thing: freeze. Atlas froze, every muscle in his body tensed, yet he didn’t move. He stood there, like my own personal vampire statue, yet his eyes tracked my movement as I walked around them. My powers were starting to make sense to me. I didn’t know what they could do, but I was starting to find out.
“Remember this for next time.”
I brushed past them and headed straight for the throne room. I threw the doors open wide and sucked in a sharp breath. The normally beautiful throne room was in shambles. Titus stood among the rubble with Moira only a few feet away. She hovered over a female vampire, holding her hands out while her blood magic seeped into the injured woman. It flowed in a pink mist from her hands. Mine was darker, more of a red wine color, while hers seems brighter and glowing. The lacerations marring the vampire’s face began to slowly knit back together. The bleeding stopped and the skin wove back together seamlessly.
When Moira stood up straight, some of the vampires from the lab rushed forward and carried the injured vampire away. Moira swayed on her feet and pressed her hand to her head. Sweat trickled down her face, and her skin was sickly pale, nearly green. Titus was by her side in a moment. He didn’t touch her but held his hand out for her to take. She placed her hand on his forearm, holding onto him for balance.
“It’s only been a few hours, perhaps you should still be resting.” Titus’ brow furrowed with concern as he gazed down at her. He was so large and imposing with his floor-length coat, muscular physique, and long hair. Wisdom and power rolled off Titus.
