Page 75 of Their Blood Rite

‘Good?’ Archie asks, his whole face riddled with childlike excitement.

‘Delicious!’ I correct, grabbing a roasted parsnip and shoving it into my mouth.

The snake is winding between the plates, and Dorian refuses to look away from her.

‘You scared of snakes?’ I ask him.

‘I’m not scared of shit,’ he snipes back but flinches when she flicks her head in his direction as if slighted by his words.

I carry on eating, shovelling food into my face with manners that would have earned me a punishment from Father.

But the boys seem amused, watching me ravage their creations.

‘So,’ I ask Shaw. ‘You and the banshee?’

Dorian and Archie look at him. Shaw shrugs and nods to the food.

‘You can fatten me upandanswer my question.’

‘No questions today,’ he replies. ‘Just eating and rest.’

‘What do I have to do to earn my three questions?’

‘I can think of a few things,’ Archie replies.

‘No questions today.’ Shaw stands. ‘And don’t antagonise the banshee. She’s not something to piss off. Stay clear of her.’

‘How do I do that? She appears in smoke, and besides, you sent her to me.’

‘You know… I’ve only ever seen the banshee in that one dress. And we haven’t brought her anything. Where does she even sleep?’ Archie scratches his head. ‘Do banshees go to the toilet?’

‘You get very easily distracted, Archie.’ I laugh.

His eyes widen as he looks at me.

‘We went through this. Master.’

My snake gives him a hiss, and he promptly removes his elbows from the table before giving his best attempt at a hiss back to her.

I swear, she rolls her eyes before slithering back to me.

‘Are you still going to the Coven today?’ I ask, attempting to sound uncaring.

‘Yes.’ Shaw grabs his coat from the back of the chair. ‘We are.’

‘We? Am I coming?’

They all laugh at that suggestion.

‘No. We are not returning you to a powerful group of witches that want to kill you. Dorian and I are going. You are staying here. Rest. Food.’

‘What are you going to do when you get there?’ I ask.

‘Make sure she eats some more food,’ he tells Archie, ignoring my question.

‘The banshee thinks I ran away from them,’ I add.

‘Yes.’ Shaw straightens his collar. ‘And if anyone asks, that’s what you say. You ran from your coven, and I granted you refuge here. Don’t roll your eyes, Pixie. What would you have us say? The truth? I’ll be sure to wave at your skull when I pass it on the gates if the truth ever does come out.’

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