Page 51 of Hunt the Dusk
Wait a second… “Where do I sleep?”
Banbury’s eyes went round. “I…Um…” He looked across at Ezekiel, who rolled his eyes.
“We’ll be sharing the room.”
“What? No!”
He stilled, mouth flattening, and our conversation from the carriage resonated in my mind.
I quickly inclined my head. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
He lifted his chin. “Apology accepted. And to clarify, you will use the room at night, and I will sleep in it during the day.”
Of course. Dammit.
“You may leave, Banbury,” Ezekiel said.
Banbury shifted from foot to foot. “I’m afraid there’s been an incident I must make you aware of before I take my leave.”
“Later,” Ezekiel said. “After I’ve fed. Summon my bloods.”
He cleared his throat. “That won’t be possible, my liege.”
Ezekiel growled in what was probably exasperation but sounded more like I’m- about-to-tear-out-your-throat.
Banbury whimpered.
“I was explicit in my instructions that they should arrive herebeforeme,” Ezekiel snapped.
“Yes, my liege, but the incident that I mentioned. The carriage and the bloods?—”
“Spit it out, I’m hungry and your jugular is beginning to look inviting.”
I’d read about someone gulping in books but now I got to see it for real. “The bloods are dead,” he blurted.
Ezekiel froze. “What?”
“Lady Sangera came across their abandoned carriage just before the Dracmore bridge. There was blood and…parts.” He gulped again. “All evidence suggests that they were attacked by winter wolves.”
“Winter wolves don’t leave the Winterfern Forest, which is at least a mile from the road to Dracmore Why would they attack that far out of their territory, and a carriage at that?” He chewed on his cheeks for a moment before exhaling through his nose. “Thank you for informing me. You may leave.”
Banbury hesitated. “Lady Sangera has offered you your pick of her veins during your stay.”
The corner of Ezekiel’s mouth lifted sardonically. “Tell her that I appreciate her offer, but I will make my own alternate arrangements.”
Banbury inclined his head and hurried from the room.
Ezekiel strode to the drinks table and poured himself a goblet of wine, drained it, then immediately poured another and drank that too before tipping his head back and closing his eyes. His lips moved soundlessly for a few seconds.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ve sent Godor and the others to investigate the scene. Properly. I’m sure there is more to the story than we’ve been told.” His tone was tight with anger and slightly deeper. The voice I’d heard the night he’d tried to compel me to take my amulet off.
I swallowed past the dryness in my mouth. “How hungry are you?”
He looked across at me, gold eyes swimming with crimson rivers. “I can smell your blood, hear it pulsing beneath your skin, calling to me.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why did I not anticipate this play?”
“You think someone planned to have the bloods attacked?”
