Page 100 of The Call of Crimson
My hand is no longer around my father’s neck, but Layne’s. His skin withers, going grey, the life draining out of him.
“No!” I shriek, realizing what I’ve done. I release my grip on his neck, and his body drops to the floor. Blank eyes stare up at me.
Knock.
“Lord Elijah,” a muffled voice calls, dragging me out of my dream.
“Eli,” I whisper, nudging his sleeping form behind me.
He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck, tightening his arms around me.
Another knock, louder this time.
“Elijah, someone needs you,” I say again, trying to pull his arm away.
“Oh yeah, baby?” he whispers, rolling his already hard length against my backside.
Warmth spreads through me at his arousal, lighting every nerve ending. “I’m not talking about me.”
“Are you sure about that?” He runs a hand up my thigh to my center, his fingers trailing lightly over my sex. “I think if I dip my fingers into your pretty pussy I’ll find it ready for me.”
“Lord Elijah, this is urgent,” the voice yells.
Groaning, Elijah pulls away and throws the blankets off. “Fuck Breyla for leaving us in charge. I never got woken up in the middle of the night before.”
He pulls a robe and stalks toward the door. Before he opens it, he shoots me a look that promises this isn’t over.
I bite my lip, shivers running through me at the silent vow in his eyes.
The door flies open, revealing a disheveled guard.
“What is it, Samson?” Elijah asks.
“General Jade just sent word. We’re experiencing multiple attacks along the border.”
“Which border?”
“All of them.”
“Hold on,” Elijah says, closing his eyes. His brow creases for a heartbeat before he opens them again, sharp and clear. “Say that again for me.”
“Rimor is experiencing multiple attacks along each border right now,” Samson repeats.
“How many casualties?” Elijah asks.
“Our best guess is several dozen so far, but it’s hard to say for sure.”
“Are any of those civilians?”
Samson swallows hard, his eyes dropping to the floor for a brief moment before shooting back to Elijah. “A few.”
My heart sinks at the thought of innocent lives being lost.
“Send three hundred soldiers from the capital and divide them between each border,” Elijah commands Samson.
“Yes, sir,” Samson acknowledges. “And the refugees?”
“There are refugees?”
