Page 95 of Caller of Crows
Rhyme shuddered, and Sven realized what was about to happen one split second before it did.
Shit!
Before Sven could make a move, however, Nephariel bit down hard into Rhyme's throat. Rhyme cried out, his body spasming with pain.
No…
Nausea gripped Sven's stomach and he nearly threw up. Watching Rhyme suffer like that was awful. "Stop," Sven yelled, even though he knew it wouldn't have an effect, but he just couldn't stand there doing nothing. "You're hurting him!"
Nephariel didn't pull away, just tightened his grip and drank more forcefully. Blood trickled out of Rhyme's neck, down the collar of his shirt, coating Nephariel's lips. Rhyme looked dizzy, barely standing, swaying on his feet while Nephariel sucked harder, his hand pressed painfully tight against Rhyme's waist to hold him in place.
Finally, Nephariel stopped and stepped away. He licked his lips with relish before licking the few stray drops from his fingertips. Then he shoved Rhyme out of the way. Rhyme fell hard to the ground. Nephariel turned his attention to Sven. His smile stretched from ear to ear.
Sven glared back.
How he wished he could wipe that smug grin from his face. How he wished he could stab his heart with a piece of wood or burn him alive or tear him to shreds… "Such hostility," Nephariel said, amusement in his voice.
Sven ignored him and focused on Rhyme instead. The boy had collapsed on the floor, panting, his skin turning even paler. Sven rushed to his side and knelt beside him, putting a gentle hand on his new friend's shoulder. "You alright?" he asked softly.
Rhyme met his gaze and gave him a slight nod, then he whispered, "It's okay… I'm used to this."
Sven gritted his teeth against the anger flooding him, and he knew he had to control the impulse to yell at Rhyme for saying something so completely unacceptable because it would only hurt him further. It wasn't Rhyme's fault that he believed this kind of treatment was normal.
Nephariel watched the exchange silently, but when Sven looked up at him, he was grinning widely. "You two are cute," he said. "Maybe we should arrange a private session where you can get better acquainted with each other. I'll feed you too, of course, as long as you both behave." He smirked. "Unless you enjoy starving yourself as much as he does," he added, tilting his head toward Rhyme.
"Screw you," Sven spat, unable to help himself.
Nephariel chuckled. "Don't fret, pet," he said with an insufferable wink. "Once I have you trained properly, I'm sure you'll learn I'm a far more powerful vampire than my useless brother."
Sven's gaze narrowed. "Altair is stronger than you could ever hope to be," he replied, lifting his chin to show the vampire defiance.
Nephariel glared at him in return. "If that's true, how come he hasn't killed me yet?"
He took another step closer to where Sven was still crouched near Rhyme.
"I don't know what happened between you two," Sven admitted. "I do know Altair wouldn't stoop to your level, though."
Nephariel laughed. "Is that what he tells you?" He ran his fingers through Sven's hair. "Oh, no, I bet he doesn't tell you anything at all. He probably just bites you, fucks you, and leaves you to rot in your little cage."
Sven glowered at him in return, not saying anything, but that was enough. The vampire leaned in closer. "That's what he does, isn't it? But you still think he's some kind of saint?" He straightened and waved his hand dismissively. "Fool."
Sven balled his hands into fists. "You don't know anything."
Nephariel sighed dramatically. "The one who doesn't know anything is you." He looked down at Sven condescendingly. "Don't trust my brother, mortal. He's a selfish bastard and will always do whatever he has to make sure he wins in the end."
"Shut up," Sven hissed, trying to keep his temper in check and failing spectacularly.
The vampire snickered in delight. "Can't stand the truth?"
"Like you're any better than him." Sven glared up at the vampire hatefully. "You're nothing but a lowlife monster."
"Yes," Nephariel agreed. "But who turned me into this?" He lifted his chin at Sven and waited as if he expected an answer. "Altair, that's who. He made me into the man I am today. I never asked for this."
Sven scoffed. "Don't try to make yourself out to be a victim, you sick fuck." He rose to his feet as he spoke, facing the vampire eye to eye. He didn't care if his anger pushed the vampire too far—he wouldn't back down. "Youlikewhat you are."
"Enough." Nephariel clenched his fist. He grabbed Sven's arm hard, and the bones cracked loudly under his grasp. A cry left Sven's throat, pain exploding in his entire body. Nephariel held his arm tightly for a few seconds, long enough for Sven to feel as if he was about to pass out, then he released Sven. "I'd suggest you control your temper before speaking to me."
Sven stumbled backward, barely able to hold himself upright. Pain made him lightheaded, and bile rose in the back of his throat. Still he glared up at the vampire stubbornly. "Go to hell."
