Page 7 of Branded in Love
The third vampire shrieks in undiluted horror and disappears into thin air. Sasha drops the head on the pavement and grabs the vampire leader before he gets a chance to flee. “The King asked you a straightforward question,” Sasha speaks into the demon’s ear. “He deserves a straightforward answer.”
I step closer, skipping the pool of blood that stains the sidewalk.
“The... K-king?” The blood drinker writhes under my Enforcer’s fearsome hold.
I stop inches away from the demon. “So much for a vampire’s loyalty…” I sneer. “You’re all alone now. Tell me why you’re here, and I will let you go.” My voice comes low and cold.
The creature hisses like a wild animal. He tries to become free from Sasha’s grip. In vain, for my Enforcer’s strength is no match for his. “I’ll tell you nothing!” He grins, flashing his sharp fangs at me.
Sasha locks an arm around the creature’s neck. I hope he doesn’t kill him yet, but if he does, I won’t hold it against him. The world would be a better place if rid of vampires.
“It’s Your Majesty,” Sasha hisses in the monster’s ear.
I lean down a little, leveling my stare with the vampire. Magic stirs in my core. It flows through my limbs. I feel its warmth prickling my skin, filling me in powerful, unrelenting waves. My eyes burn with blue spectral flames each time this happens.
My fangs slowly drop. I flash them at the blood demon with half a smile. “You’re not the only one with fangs around here…” I all but hiss.
“Who are you?” The blood drinker’s eyes shudder as sheer black fright washes over him.
“My name is Gavriil Alexeev,” I whisper, inching closer.
“The Ursa King!” he stammers, visibly shaking now. I do not pretend to deny the unfortunate fame that precedes my name.
“Tell me why you’re here,” I remind him.
“You’re a bear shifter. You should know the answer!” the vampire all but spits. The creature’s pale expression slips into a grimace of contempt. “Did you do it? Did you kill Trent?”
I tilt my head and stare at him, bemused. Trent. It rings a bell. “I did,” I tell him with the same dispassionate tone.
Behind the vampire, Sasha’s eyes fly open. He watches me in undiluted shock.
“So, you found him...” I continue.
“Oh, yes. We saw what you did to him!” The demon groans as Sasha’s grip tightens. My Enforcer’s ice-blue eyes lock on mine for approval. I raise a hand, ordering him to wait.
An eerie cackle sails through the creature’s crooked lips.
“What’s so funny?” Sasha growls, forcing his arm harder against the vampire’s neck.
“You don’t even know...” Another wicked laugh. “Trent was sired by Andrea Barone,” the vampire says, smirking proudly. “He will hunt you down until he’s finished you both!”
I exhale roughly. My patience grows thin. “What do you want with the woman?” I roar. “She played no part in this.”
The vampire scowls. “Don’t you know?” he replies in reckless fury.
“Answer him!” Sasha presses, ready to snatch the vampire’s head off.
A whimper escapes the creature’s mouth. “The woman’s blood is unique!” he says in a blurt. “Sangue d’Oro.No one dared come after her when Trent was around. But now that he’s gone…”
I step back, taken by the blow of the monster’s revelation.Sangue d’Oro.Gold Blood, ambrosia to any vampire. This is worse than I thought. I turn to my friend with intent. “Sasha…” I breathe. He understands. “Let him go.”
The creature gasps for air as soon as Sasha relaxes his grip.
I draw closer to the fiend, ardent fury coursing through my limbs. “You will never touch her,” I mutter. “None of you will.”
Relief gives way to panicked bemusement on the monster’s face.
“Start. Running,” I growl through clenched teeth.
