Page 107 of Undying Thirst

I twitched an eyebrow at Asher. “You’ve never showed interest in my hunting excursions.”

“This time they’ve messed with something they shouldn’t have,” Asher said with derision. Meaning Cat. The beautiful human girl I could not ignore. The one I craved—dangerously.

I grunted. If he could keep up with me, sure. We could bond over their blood and guts and bring their entrails and ashes to the human’s feet.

I liked how that sounded.

Calliope began her spiel as she began to announce the humans and their Sires. Her death was imminent. She had pushed me too far. If there weren’t witnesses, I would have sliced her head off today.

“Do not. They are watching us,” Tobias said out of nowhere.

Per Asher’s pout, he’d been about to go invisible and follow Cat into the woods. Tobias was correct. Vampires watched us with focus, ready to report any untoward behavior to their Sires.

Jax approached. He’d changed into a black t-shirt and joggers. Asher clapped him on the shoulder with an affable smile. He leaned close.

“You better find her. Bring her back to me, alive,” Asher hissed into his twin’s ear. Jaxon, for once, didn’t try to smack him. He only nodded once.

Interesting. This one human joined us more than Imogen ever did. I crossed my arms and observed. She’d become my weakness.

I threw my head back and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Asher grumbled. I continued to laugh at the ridiculous fact that a human woman had brought me to my knees.

THIRTY-SEVEN

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I rubbed my arms frantically,trying to gain friction to warm me up. It was too cold for this. I shuffled on my bare feet. Asher was supposed to be keeping the heels and dress safe. Turned out, no I wasn’t running around through the middle of the forest in platform heels. I’d been handed a simple forest green A-line dress and told that shoes were not allowed.

“Quickly, quickly, blood bag.” Freya shooed me toward the group of humans congregated on the pavilion. I climbed up and the other people waiting around, six of us in total, looked as cold as me, but they seemed less bothered by it. They stood in a straight line, facing outward with their backs to me. Once I climbed onto the platform and shuffled next to a male dressed in the same A-line dress, I saw why. The lawn was decorated with fairy lights wound around the surrounding trees that created a sort of circular clearing. Scattered throughout were tall rectangular tables with white cloths draped over them.

Calliope stood at the base below the pavilion on the other side where I’d arrived.

“And our last human has arrived. Crimson Coven Sire’s precious Pet.” A smattering of applause echoed into the deepdark surroundings. Past the fairy lights, everything looked so ominous and dark. I licked my lips nervously.

Playthings. Entertainment. That was all humans were to vamps. And this game was stupid. I had to run through the dark forest, shoeless, and be chased by other vampires trying to kill me? Great.

Do not trust the other humans. And don’t be last.Asher warned me before he strode away.

I peeked to the side. A total of five girls and one guy. The others looked just as determined as I felt to win. I breathed out slow and steady. I couldn’t believe I was having to put my trust in Jax, the one I least trusted.

He would likely take the opportunity to off me himself.

Calliope faced us on the platform. With a sly, smarmy grin, she said, “Run.” I needed nothing more. I pounded down the steps, angling toward the edge of the forest. A tall, lean woman surpassed us all, the man right on her heels. They crossed the boundary of the forest, disappearing into the thick foliage.

I gritted my teeth, pushing my legs harder. I could do this!

A sudden pull against the back of my dress banded the neckline to my throat. Choking, I slowed and whoever grabbed my dress kicked the back of my knee, making them buckle. I hit the ground with a thud that vibrated through my bones.

Now on all fours, I watched the rest of the girls dash past me.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

I was last; exactly what Asher said not to do. Clawing my fingers into the grass until dirt caked the bottom of my nails, I dragged myself forward. A few steps further and leaves slapped my arms, scratching my skin.

Ignoring all of it was my only choice. I pushed forward. Running as hard as humanly possible. My feet ached, but I couldn’t afford to slow. I only had a moment to get as deep into the forest as I could. My chest pumped up and down, and theslightest pain banded my lungs. I hadn’t been able to run this hard since The Pale One took me. I smacked a branch out of my way and dipped through an unmarked path veering to the right.

A loud horn exploded through the forest. Treetops rustled and birds exploded from them in a flurry.

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