Page 85 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“Because she was doing the same thing back home up until the night she left. I figured it was only a matter of time before she continued her hunting here.”

“Hunting?” There was a steely undercurrent to Luka’s voice that made me sit up straight.

“This is not the place to discuss this,” I seethed, lowering my voice. “There are too many prying ears.”

“Well, that’s an easy fix.” With the snap of her fingers, I felt Luce’s magic washing over me, sealing our voices in her bubble. “Now talk, Lennox.”

“Fine.” I knew they wouldn’t drop it. “I’ve been hunting Vanir in my spare time.”

The table stilled. “You’ve been doing what?” Declan’s voice was lined with icy rage.

“By yourself?” Luka asked quietly.

“Yes, by myself!” I snapped. I looked at him, surprised to find his face etched with concern.

“How’d you find them?” Declan pressed.

I took another sip of my drink. “I blended in. I listened. Earned contacts. When they were least expecting it I killed them when they outlived their usefulness.”

“Impressive.” Nico leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

“Did you ever gain any significant information from them?” Declan asked.

“No,” I let my frustration leak into my voice. “None of themknew anything I didn’t already know. So all I accomplished was ridding my city of their filth.”

“Vicious creature,” Luka mumbled.

“So that’s what you were planning to do tonight? Hunt down Vanir?” Declan pressed. I could see the cogs turning in his brain as he took it all in.

“Caspian told us they are all over the city and I figured they might have more information than any I came across in Alethens. And when I get stir crazy, I like to shed blood.”

Luka shuttered beside me. His hand balled into a fist on his thigh.

“And you were going to go have all the fun without us, Sweetheart?”

“I didn’t think you’d want to be included.”

“Did you forget watching you draw blood is one of my favorite pastimes?” I let my eyes meet his, the fire in his blue gaze sending a shiver through me.

“I mean I don’t share the same fucked up sentiments as Luka, but I also love a good fight,” Nico added, but I didn’t take my gaze from Luka’s. He would truly follow me anywhere, wouldn’t he? And he didn’t say he’d try to stop me—I finally tore my gaze away from his, turning my attention back to the rest of the group.

“Well how about this, we enjoy our fun night tonight, but another night we can all go out and hunt Vanir together,” Nico proposed.

“Sounds like fun to me” Luce sat back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Planning murder with three of the monarchs of our continent, can’t say that’s anything I ever imagined I’d participated in,” Declan muttered before finishing off his ale.

Luka raised a brow at me. “You in, Sweetheart?”

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

Luka looked at me, placing a hand on my thigh as he did,his face serious as he spoke. “You always have a choice, Lennox.”

“If we’re going to be bathed in blood, I guess we might as well be bathed in blood together,” I said in return.

The table erupted in cheers as they raised their glasses, signaling a toast. I tried and failed to hide my growing smile as I clinked my glass with theirs.

What a bunch of fucked up idiots we were.

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