Page 108 of A Bond Beyond Blood

“Ah, you.”I pointed to the one whose fear was battling against that arrogant tilt of his chin.“That wasn’t very hospitable.”

He ground his teeth, then growled, “You’re not a welcome guest.”

“Oh.”I placed my hand over my heart.“How many humans have you killed?”

He scowled.“What?”

I rolled my eyes and stepped toward him, pleased when his back straightened.“How many humans have you killed?”I repeated slowly.

“How the fuck should I know?”He snorted and I tilted my head to the side, waiting.

“Too many to count,” he finally said, “but still not enough.”

I inclined my head in acknowledgement and strode back to Winston’s side.Gripping his hair once more, I looked around at his personal guards.“This is one of those moments that will define your future, boys.Choose wisely.”

Similar to what happened outside, in the next moment, all but one of them dropped quickly to their knees and bowed their heads to the king.The one I’d thrown against the wall had recovered and now kneeled beside his comrades.

One guess as to which one remained standing.

“You,” I said, pointing to the spear-thrower.“Do you refuse to kneel for your king?”

He straightened his shoulders and jutted his chin, though his show of bravado could not mask the slight tremor of fear in his heartbeat that hadn’t been there just moments ago.

I lifted my brows and waited, then sighed when he didn’t make a move to submit.His hatred for humans would have been enough to warrant his immediate removal.If not that, then his attack on the king would have done it.

As it was, I found that this moment right here, his blatant disobedience, sealed his fate.

“Very well.Into the fire you go.”I pointed to the fireplace for emphasis and his eyes widened comically.

He swung his head from the fireplace to me, laughing uncomfortably as he said, “You’re kidding.”

Itsked.“I rarely joke about these things.Climb into the fireplace.”

His footsteps lurched as he moved closer to the fireplace, eyes wide, confusion creasing his brow as he obeyed me against his will.Until this moment, he’d likely thought only the one who sired him could bend his mind to their commands, but he’d never come in contact with aking.

Winston struggled in my hold.“Stop!” he commanded, and the soldier’s body jerked as it struggled to follow the direction of his maker while still obediently following his king’s orders.

His walk to the fireplace became a jilted death stroll resembling a marionette being jerked around on tangled strings.

“One of yours?”I asked Winnie, even though it was clear as day.

His eyes blazed with renewed hatred, an anger so strong it rolled off of him in waves.

“Pity.Losing a child is never easy.”

When he stepped into the fire, he screamed—

“Quietly, if you don’t mind.”I shook my head as his bloodcurdling screams filled the room.“Don’t make a sound.”I shuddered as his screaming broke off and he climbed the rest of the way toward his final death.The putrid scents of burning hair and melting flesh filled the air, the intense scent of copper stoking my hunger, but I stopped breathing to combat the assault on my senses and turned to face theLordon his knees at my feet.

My trusted former guard.

Once upon a time, my very best friend.

A brother.Ason.

“Rise to your feet, Winston Connelly.”

The vampire shuddered as he obeyed my command.

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