Page 121 of Blood So Brutal

I saw Voiler and the rest of the rebels waiting, but I was instantly distracted by two figures running toward us. Rummy and Jessiah sprinted to greet us as soon as we took two steps onto the land. I fell to my knees, as did Wolf. Rummy fell in front of me as she gripped my shoulders.

We were both alive.

Jessiah muttered a slew of questions and concerns to Wolf as they surveyed each other too.

“Don’t you ever do that again, you bitch!” Rummy yelled, punching my shoulder lightly. “You scared the living shit out of me! What were you thinking? You could have been killed!”

Wolf and Jessiah quieted. Everyone turned to me.

I was so fucking exhausted. Rummy was right—what I did was stupid. But I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.

“What?” Rummy asked. “Why are you smiling like that? Did it work?” Her eyes slid between Wolf and me repeatedly as she waited for a confirmation. “Did you kill him?”

“It worked,” I said. “It worked.”

The four of us laughed together then, Wolf and me all but collapsing as pure relief washed over us.

It worked. It was over. The biggest obstacle to our freedom was gone.

“But we’re not out of danger yet,” Wolf interrupted. “I have no doubt that my father’s men will retaliate. He wasn’t the only one who wanted power for The Golden City. They’ll come for us.” He looked at me. “They’ll come for you.”

“Then we’ll be ready.” I gripped Rummy’s outstretched hand. “We’ll be ready whenever they come.”

Jessiah and Rummy shared a glance then both looked at me.

“What?” I asked.

“There’s something we want you to see. Both of you.”

Wolf walked behind me as we followed Jessiah through the ruins. I wasn’t as fearful of Scarlata this time around. The crumbling gray walls, the overgrown foliage of the kingdom it felt oddly familiar now. It felt comfortable, like returning home after a long journey.

“When Jessiah took me here a few days ago, I couldn't believe my own eyes.” Rummy spoke with an excitement I hadn’t heard from her in, well, forever. There wasn’t much to get excited about in Midgrave.

“You’re making me nervous,” I said. “Tell me where we’re going.”

She smiled widely, hooking her arm through my elbow. “It’s better if you see it for yourself.”

My body tickled with nerves. Part of it was Wolf’s nerves, too. I could feel every inch of his presence as he walked two steps behind us in silence, following his brother without question.

We reached a portion of the ruins hidden behind a large, stone wall. It looked as if it had once been the central meeting place of the kingdom. I imagined the queen—my mother—summoning her people here to speak. To rule.

We walked around the edge of the wall.

And my stomach dropped.

Dozens—no, hundreds—of vampyres sat waiting.

All of them with their eyes on me.

Chapter 46

Wolf

“What is all this?” Huntyr asked. “Who are these people?”

She stood in front of the crowd, not moving a muscle. Rummy and Jessiah froze, too, letting her step forward and survey the group of vampyres.

Some, I recognized. Some, I had been building relationships with for years. Others were new. Still, I knew why everyone came. I knew exactly where Jessiah had been leading us.

---