Page 24 of Blood So Brutal

Jessiah stepped out of the shadows, his white wings glowing in the moonlight. His sword was already drawn from its sheath, and he intercepted the beast just as he was about to reach me with his decaying fingertips.

I choked back a gag as Jessiah cut the head from the body in one swift motion, making sure to back out of the way before the body could touch him.

And then, it was over. I crouched down, bracing my trembling hands on my knees as I sucked in breath after breath.

That was too fucking close. Weeks being held captive weakened me more than I realized.

“Thank you,” I panted. “He was about to kill me.”

Jessiah tsked, wiping his sword on his trousers before sheathing it again. I watched his feet move closer as I remained in my crouched position.

“What was your plan here, exactly, Huntyr? To run away into the forest and live happily ever after?”

Yes.“Pretty much.”

I could feel the disapproval seeping from him. I waited a few more moments before standing up and meeting his gaze. “Did you expect me to just sit in that room, waiting for your father to kill me?”

“He’s not going to kill you.”

“He will if I don’t give him what he wants. We both know that.”

Jessiah glanced around us before stepping closer. He looked much more similar to Wolf when he was angry. The same muscle in his jaw tensed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“How thick-headed are you if you can’t see that Wolf is trying to help you? All this does is make things harder for him. Do you want to go back to the dungeon? Is that it? Because the second Asmodeus finds out you ran, that’s where you’ll end up. Wolf took responsibility for you, Huntyr. Would you take the cold, rotting floor of the castle basement over a warm bed and hot meals?”

I blinked back my surprise. Of course I would rather stay in Wolf’s room than the dungeon, but how could he not see how desperate I was to get out of this?

“I can’t,” I stuttered, taking a step back. “I can’t go back there, Jessiah. I’m rotting away in that room.” My throat burned again, tears springing to my eyes. Another wave of nausea hit me as the fresh blood from the dead vampyre wafted into the air. “You can’t take me back there.”

“You know I don’t have a choice.” he sighed, sounding bored. “I can keep my mouth shut about this, but you have to come back.”

“Why?” I pushed. “Why do you care so much if I stay or leave, huh? What’s in it for you?”

He turned his head toward the sky and smiled wickedly. It was the first wicked gesture I had seen from Jessiah. He was typically lighter than Wolf. Kinder. Gentler. He wasgood.

But when his eyes met mine again, they held only malice. “What’s in it for me? How about the fact that I’ve already watched my brother suffer for you? He went to Moira for you. His wings were cut off because of you. Do you know whatthat means for an angel, Huntyr? Do you know how badly he’s suffering right now?”

My breath hitched. “If you want me to apologize for any of that, you’re wasting your time. It’s not my fault Wolf pulled me into this disaster.”

“No, it’s not, but it’s not Wolf’s fault either. Asmodeus will get his way whether Wolf is there to help you or not. Trust me, my brother may put on a front of being an arrogant asshole, but he cares. He cares about you, too much for his own damn good. It’s dangerous, and it’s risky. If my father was smart enough to pay attention for even a second, he would see how Wolf looks at you.”

My chest tightened. “Yeah, well, he betrayed me.”

“Did he?” Jessiah stepped closer, and I backed up until I was stuck, pressed against the brick wall behind me. “Did he betray you, or did he do everything in his power to keep you safe?”

My mind spun. It didn’t fucking seem like he was trying to keep me safe. There were so many times in Moria where he could have told me the truth, could have told me?—

A wave of pain hit my stomach. I doubled over, wrapping my arms around myself as I stifled a groan.

“Not to mention the fact that he’s trying to help you mature as a vampyre, and you’re blowing him off every chance you get.”

“I’m not ready,” I grunted.

“Then get ready. Wolf is the only one who knows what you’re going through. Get help from him or die, Huntyr. I’m tired of playing these games.”

He reached forward, aiming to grip my arm, but I yanked my body away. “Wait.” I took a few settling breaths and righted myself against the wall. “I want to visit Midgrave, just for a few hours. If you let me do that, I’ll go willingly with you. I won’t run anymore.”

Jessiah laughed. “You think Asmodeus will let you out of here? There’s a reason it’s nearly impossible to get out of The Golden City.”

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