Page 126 of House of Crimson Kisses
OCTAVIA
Xavier, Amelia, and I speed our way under the city, carrying Red between us. We’re ultimately faster than the carriages, because we can dart in and out of traffic, and take it in turns to carry her.
I want to get her out of Castle St Clair’s grounds and back to the sanctuary of mine before anyone notices there was something wrong with her.
Which is how we came to be here, with Red unconscious on her bed in my castle. Amelia, Xavier, and I all stood around her.
We’re reaching the crunch point with what her mortal system can take, and I fear that if she doesn’t heed our warnings, she won’t make it to the trial tomorrow, let alone through the last and to the boundary.
But if she drinks, or at least if she drains someone, she’ll transform.
“We’re agreed then?” Xavier says.
Amelia nods. “We beg her to drink without draining for now. There’s no way she’s going to agree to kill an innocent, so all we can do is get her to agree to stay alive.”
“And if she doesn’t agree, I’ll compel her?” Xavier says, as if that wouldn’t be a complete betrayal of everything she believes and all the trust I’ve worked for.
Amelia gives me the side eye.
“No. We can’t. If we compel her now, she’ll never choose to drain someone when the time comes. And we need her to choose to transition,” I say.
Xavier huffs. But it’s the right decision.
“You’re going to have to pull the sister card, and pull it hard,” I say to Amelia.
Her lips pinch, but she nods. “I feel bad, but I want her alive more than I care about causing a guilt trip.”
Xavier bends to examine her. I bristle. “What is it?”
“Her breathing is shallow. We may have to take the decision out of her hands,” he says.
But I shake my head. I’ve done enough controlling of her free will. It’s time I gave her the space and freedom to make her own mind up. I hate that it’s now that I choose to do this.
“Amelia, go find Wendell and ask him to bring a bag of warm, fresh human blood. Perhaps the scent would be enough to rouse her from sleep,” I say.
Xavier claps his hands. “Good thinking.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not just a set of pretty eyes.”
He smiles and comes to my side, lifting my knuckles to his lips. “The most beautiful in all the city.” He kisses my hand, but I yank it back.
“Oh, piss off, Xavier, you have to say that. I’m your favourite.”
He folds his arms, looking affronted. “I have to say nothing of the sort. I’ve told you on more than one occasion when you’re being a giant cunt.”
I bark a laugh, but he continues.
“Besides, you don’t see what Red and I see. And one day, when you do, you really will make the best queen for this city.”
I huff at him, but Amelia returns with Wendell in tow.
He rushes to Red’s side and uncaps the blood bag, wafting it under her nose.
She sits bolt upright, gripping his wrist where he holds the bag. Her eyes glare like suns at him.
I step forward, ready to protect him if necessary. None of us understands what this transition is doing to her physiology, let alone to her mental state.
“Red.”
