Page 46 of Wicked Thirst
He dropped them on the floor, and they fell with a loud thunk. “Payment for clean-up is extra.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’ll add money to your meal plan at the school since you like to mooch off them.”
He gave a dark chuckle. “Very funny, baby vamp.”
When the blue lights flashed outside the door and the sirens were on top of us, Beckett opened a portal. “Everyone in.”
Astrid waved her hand, and I watched as the skin at their necks knitted back together before my eyes.
“You can heal people?”
She shook her head. “It’s a glamor. I can’t heal, but I can hide the damage.”
She turned toward the portal and ran toward it. The others all followed. I hesitated and looked back at the poor people all knocked out. Beckett cleared his throat to get my attention. “We’ll find him, Piper.”
“I know.”
“Just prepare yourself. This isn’t going to be the last time something like this happens.”
My throat tightened, and I swallowed. “I know.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. “I’m sorry, Piper. But this will be the hardest hunt you’ll have to engage in. And I wouldn’t wish this on any soulmate.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MOIRA
I’d spent a lifetime with my features placid, my words soft, and my clothing modest. Even now the material itched at my neck and pulled tight around my shoulders. The boning in my dress poked into my sides with every breath I took. The material, though light and flowing, just tangled around my legs. Everything about it agitated me. Or was it standing here beside Titus and feeling helpless that made me realize how uncomfortable everything else in my life was? I sat perfectly, I spoke perfectly, I held my emotions at bay. Ever the elegant royal, I made this life the best it could be. But now all I felt was annoyance at the very act of being here, and yet I held still, taking in the conversation around me.
We were in a part of the castle that Titus rarely used, yet I knew it was intentional that we hid here. The room was a smaller dining room with a large wooden circular table. The chairs were high-backed with thick wooden arms on each one. The cushions were plush underneath us, and I could tell that some of our guests were not accustomed to it. It was the way I’d been when I first arrived here.
Sanchita and Prisha moved their chairs closer together as though just being next to each other was soothing to them, and Martin took his seat across from me as if he owned the space around him. He gave me a warm smile as he pulled his iPad out and used the cover to make it stand on the table. He slid his fingers over it, and the blue light of the screen illuminated his face.
“Thank you for having us here.” He met my eye and there was something so strong and pleasant about him that for the first time in a while I smiled.
“I think you all are just what we need.”
Sanchita’s eyebrows rose, and she pressed an earnest hand over her chest. “Thank you so much, your, um . . .”
I lifted my hand, stopping her from calling me your majesty. “Just Moira, please.”
“I couldn’t agree with Moira more.” Eloura strode into the room with her head held high. The cane she used tapped the hard stone floor with each step she took. She moved farther into the room and placed her hand on my shoulder. “Good to see you, old friend.”
“I’m pleased you’re here with me.” It was about time that Eloura took her place among society as well as taking the reins with the Blood Borns.
Titus walked in behind her and shoved the doors closed in his wake. He spun around to face the table. “Good. My most trusted advisors have assembled.”
At his words the others all showed signs of their surprise. Prisha and Sanchita wore the same jaw dropping expression while Martin nodded and smirked to himself. It was like he knew this was where he belonged, and he was just waiting for others to catch on to that fact. Eloura too held her chin up, giving the King an about time you noticed look.
I motioned for her to take the seat beside me. “Please join me.”
“With pleasure.” She pulled the chair out, and her dress rustled as she took her seat.
Titus paced back and forth behind his chair, looking down at us. “As you all know, last night the attack on The House of Shade changed the course of things. Now we must react appropriately.”
Sanchita raised her hand, and Titus motioned to her. “Please speak freely, We do not need to raise our hands.”
“Your Majesty, the Night Spawn are worried that The House of Shade will retaliate against them even if they weren’t involved with Marius.”
