Page 94 of Taste of Death

“Yes,” I confirmed.

Inessa gave a tiny, imperceptible nod. “Fine. You owe me, Rathka’s Son.”

My hand went to her shoulder in what looked like a possessive grip, but it was truly a show of gratitude. “My word is my bond. I will help you.”

“Push me away,” she whispered against my neck. “Kick us out and make a scene.”

“Have your butler contact my maid,” I answered before shoving at her shoulder, just hard enough to make her stumble back. “Enough of this.” I glared at Baros. “You won’t seduce me into a deal I no longer want. Both of you need to leave.”

Baros looked stunned. Maybe I should have acted like I was still affected by the fertility ritual, but I was fucking sick of pretending. I needed them gone and Amy back.

“It’s too late to back out, Novak,” he warned.

“I disagree.” I bent to pick up Inessa’s cloak and shoved the bundle of fabric at her chest. “Leave now before I remove you.”

“Don’t be stupid. You’re the last of your line with no heir. Our clans are the only two worth a damn in Sanguine. You have no other options, Novak.”

“No.” I pointed an index finger at him. “Youdon’t.”

“I beg your fucking pardon?” Baros blustered. He had tried to hide his desperation, but it was crystal clear to me now.

“You need me far more than I need you,” I said, crossing my arms. “And I’m not interested in what you have to offer.”

He was grinding his jaw, still trying to gain the upper hand. “Your father would besodisappointed in you.”

“Fuck him.”

Baros didn’t know how to respond to that. His mouth gaped open like a fish.

“He was disappointed in me my whole life. What do I care?” My shoulder lifted and lowered in the laziest of shrugs. “Fuck my whole damn bloodline while I’m at it. Might as well let it die with me.”

“You… you’re bluffing,” Baros spat. “You can’t possibly give up thousands of years of such a proud legacy.”

I cocked my head. “Or can I?”

He forced out a laugh. “This is out of… what, spite? Jealousy? You always were jealous of Evin, I could see it since you were a juvenile. Well this is the chance to prove yourself, son. Rathka’s Order will be glorious again because of you! No one will remember your father’s name once we get rid of Blood ‘til Dawn. The streets will hail Novak of Rathka’s Order; just imagine it! You’ll finally have the glory that was always out of your reach.”

My mouth hardened. “I’m done listening to your pathetic attempt at a power grab. Get the fuck out of my house.”

“Be reasonable, Novak?—”

A snarl erupted from my chest and I saw my hands curl around the lapels of Baros’s jacket before I’d even realized I moved toward him. The fear in his eyes was satisfying. His clan had raised him to be soft, spoiled and pampered. Rathka’s Order was a warrior clan and, despite being bookish and studious, I was confident I could tear him limb from limb.

The only thing that stopped me was a hand on my forearm. I still had Inessa’s foul-tasting blood in my mouth and her touch made me recoil.

“Put him down,” she said.

It turned out that I had lifted Baros a foot off the floor by his lapels and pressed him against a wall. I opened my hands, not caring about his abrupt drop and stumble.

“The next time I see your face,” I gritted out, “it’ll be you coming at my call. Not the other way around.”

“You’re a disgrace,” he sputtered. “You’re nothing, just like your father always said you were. Tell yourself whatever excuse you want but the truth is, you’re too fucking weak to lead a clan.”

“Best not waste your precious time in my presence, then.”

I held my arm out toward the door and after a long, lingering glare, he finally left. Inessa followed him out, and when the door closed, it felt like I could finally breathe for the first time.

I went to the kitchen and spat out Inessa’s blood, gagging when it hit my tongue. After quickly rinsing my mouth with water, I raced up the stairs to my office and grabbed my phone. My heart pounded a furious beat as I hit Amy’s number and brought the phone to my ear.

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