Page 21 of Her Blood Revenge

‘I don’t think so,’ Archie laughs nervously, shuddering at the suggestion.

‘She’s mine,’ Pixie insists. ‘Myfamiliar. She protectsme, and I want her.’

‘You know she can’t kill us,’ I remind her. ‘Her bite will merely hurt and annoy.’

‘She kills any threat to me. Are you a threat, Dream Walker?’ she asks, her brow raised. ‘Or are all your promises of protecting and caring for me simply another lie?’

‘You can have her,’ I reply, making Dorian and Archie snap their heads up at me in surprise.

‘I can?’

I nod. ‘When you allow us to feed from you again. Starting with twice a week. Agree to that, and I will get her for you.’

I tense, ready for her to lash out. For magic and screams, just as Neve would have done.

Her jaw clenches, and she winces before she turns and walks to the open window. The early morning breeze brings her scent to us all. We all catch it. We all crave it.

Blood.

She’s bitten her lip again.

She takes a few deep breaths.

I go to her, standing at her side and looking out at the distant forests. A bead of blood slides down her chin, and her eyes shimmer with tears. I remain quiet and wait, unable to pull my gaze from her. The façade of pure disinterest and anger has cracked, and a glimmer of vulnerability slips through.

I know she’s in pain. We all do. She’s broken and betrayed. Confused and afraid. And we played a part in all of those hurts.

‘How can I be the daughter of such an evil creature?’ she asks, a deep frown on her troubled face as she scans the world beyond the window. Like she’s looking for Neve out there in the darkness of the early morning. ‘She killed and tortured witches and humans. Destroyed and consumed everything in her path. And I came from her. I’m part of her. What does that make me?’

She looks up at me, her eyes pleading for an answer. I wipe away the bead of blood with my thumb.

‘You are not your mother’s daughter, Pixie. You are you. Actions define a soul. Notparentage.’

‘Then your soul is destined for an eternity in hell.’

She looks back outside, her hands gripping the window ledge so tightly that the wood groans.

‘Am I a prisoner in your castle, Dream Walker?’ she asks.

‘Are you locked in a cell, Pixie? Are there bars around you that we don’t see?’

‘No. But I wear the chain, and you won’t let me out of your sights.’ She glares at Dorian. ‘And you used your mark on me.’

All fair points.

‘You’re not leaving this room until we’ve spoken. And the chain is around your neck in case I need to use it. Do not give me a reason to restrain you or lock you up, and I will do neither.’

‘So I can leave the castle?’ she asks.

‘You can go into the grounds within sight. That’s all I can allow until we know it’s safe for you. You must also tell no one what you are or what happened with Neve. Do you understand me? Or those living here will tear you apart.’

‘Huh. You mean all the creatures who have abandoned you?’ she scoffs.

She may have been silent, but she’s been watching.

‘I want my snake back, Dream Walker.’

‘Sure, ’ I raise my brow. ‘I’ve already agreed to that. You know my terms. I won’t repeat them.’

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