Page 67 of House of Crimson Kisses
“But, Octavia?—”
“Especially not her. This is between you and me. We have to do everything we can to protect you. There will be vampires and hunters alike from both sides of the political divide over the cure coming for you, and I want you kept safe. What you’re going to do… bringing back magic… it’s a gift, Red. You are going to change the face of our city, and I want nothing getting in the way of that.”
Her tone was so serious. Her eyes bored into me; her nails dug into my arms as she spoke.
“Okay. I get it,” I said.
“So we’re agreed? We’re keeping this just between you and me? Our little secret? I’ll send additional security for you.”
“No. You can’t. Not if you want to keep it a secret. It would be too obvious that it was me. And even if you sent it to all the hunters at this stage, it would be suspicious. The best thing to do is to continue pretending we don’t know who it is.”
She released me, folded her arms and pressed her lips shut as she thought.
“Okay,” she nodded. “I agree. Oh, Red. I am so proud of you. I’m just sorry you had to be the one to take on the burden.”
The horses whinny outside the carriage, and it pulls me out of my reverie. A shiver of hunger crawls over my skin, making my stomach turn. I wipe my hands over my face, forcing myself to concentrate.
It was odd telling her. I thought I’d feel a weight lift off my shoulders, but instead, I came away with a worm in my gut. Something I can’t place my finger on. She was polite, outwardly supportive. And yet… and yet… something.
I’m still thinking about it as the carriage comes to a halt. The sun has gifted its last liquid rays to the horizon as my hand presses a drop of blood over the gargoyle’s tongue and the door swings open for me.
I slide inside, grateful I made it before anyone was awake. First job is to find Octavia or a vial of her blood. I can’t wait much longer. I’m already dizzy.
I meander through the corridors, my skin prickling like I’m being watched. The atmosphere is odd, sharp and cold all at once.
I veer down a main hallway as a breeze rushes past me and makes me blink. As my eyes open, Octavia is in front of me, staring at me in a way that makes me shiver. I bite down the shocked scream and take a step back.
“Oct—”
“Where have you been?” she cuts me off.
“Don’t be rude. I was out.”
Her eyes narrow to vicious little slits. “Where?”
I thrust a hand on my hip and glare up at her. “You don’t own me, Octavia.”
“Is that so?” There’s a snarl under her words as she grabs for my wrist and hauls me down the rest of the corridor and into the empty bar.
“Oi, let go of me,” I say, staggering after her. “And I’m hungry. Where are the vials you store of your blood?”
“We don’t keep secrets from each other,” she snaps.
“I think you’ll find we do,” I say back, putting as much snark and brat into my tone as I can.
She shoves me against the side of the bar and snarls. “Don’t. Test. Me.”
“Or what?”
She picks me up by the arse and shoves me atop the bar so my legs are dangling over the end, and then she pushes me until I lay flat on it. This could work. Sex could definitely work. If I wind her up enough, it’ll be a distraction.
“Or you get punished. Now. Where were you?”
She slices her wrist and lets a few drops dribble onto my lips. I lick them up, swiping my tongue this way and that. I reach up to grab her wrist, but she pulls away.
“I asked a question.”
Bitch. How dare she tease me when I’m this hungry.
