Page 48 of Entombed By Blood
I flash a hint of fang as I take my seat, glowering at him from behind my shades. “Take me home,” I order.
“Yes, Lady Callista.” His tone is respectful, but his fate was sealed the second he sniffed me.
The moment we arrive back in the city, I reach over and rip his throat out. He falls to his knees, gurgling as I flick the blood from my claws with disgust. He’s young enough that he might die from the wound. If he doesn’t, he’ll learn a valuable lesson about sticking his nose in other people’s business.
The driver of the limo is older. She knows not to react beyond handing me a handkerchief to clean myself up with as I slide into the cool leather interior. She drives away in silence, taking me to my West Side apartment without a word.
People stare as I walk into the lobby of my building—they always do—and I smirk at them until they either look away or bow their heads. I wear my confidence like a cloak, keeping them from looking too closely.
The doors of my private elevator closing behind me is a relief. Finally alone, I sink against the cool metal wall and just let myself... feel.
Evie’s back. Cain’s favourite probably expects to just waltz back into the fold like she never left. Like we haven’t all suffered for her betrayal.
When the doors open, I stay there for several seconds before pushing myself forward into the apartment. It’s a modern space, but I designed it with an old-world feel that never fails to comfort me. My body breathes a sigh of relief, and I drop my bag on the floor, heading straight for my stash of blood. I don’t even bother heating it, ripping into the bags like a common savage.
Before Evie’s little stunt, I had lovers to fawn over me on my return from Cain’s bedchamber. Pets who fed and cosseted me and pretended to love me for the status it brought them. Now I’m alone, forced into isolation because Cain slaughtered my attendants and declared that none of his remaining daughters could fraternise with those outside of our fucked up little family. Just in case one of them decided to use us like that fucking abomination—Frost—used Evie.
It takes three bags for me to start healing. Even then, it’s only after a shower where I scrub my skin raw that I feel like myself. Makeup, blow dry, dress, jewels. Each step in the routine is another piece of armour shielding me from the world. It’s only when I’m flawless that I flick on my tablet and put a call through to Bella.
“I’ve already been informed,” she answers, barely looking at the screen.
Behind her, I can see the sleek grey walls of her Midtown office. It figures she’s still awake, even though dawn was hours ago. Bella’s always been a workaholic.
“Come on, Bella. Is that all you have to say?” I stare at her pointedly, before heading to the red bag and rifling through the contents. Identification, credit card, phone… all the usual things. I grunt in disappointment—I was hoping for something juicy—and turn back to my sister. “She’sback. The favoured one. Here to step all over your hard work proving yourself to Cain.”
Finally, something in my tone gets her attention.
She sets her cool, dark gaze on me. “Evie’s return means nothing. She’s just here as bait. In all likelihood, our sire is already planning to return her to her coffin once she’s done her job and brought the ghouls to heel.”
I bite my lip as I consider it. “I don’t think he will. He’s making us test her to see if she’s worthy. I think he’ll make her prove herself by getting her to kill Frost, then take her back.”
“Either way, we’re better off doing as he asks and not getting involved.” Bella moves back to focusing on her other screen and taps something out on the glass screen before looking back at me. “I’ll see you there. Her guards are expecting us, and I’ve got more work to do if I’m going to find Morwen and send a jet to bring her home in time for court.”
“All of us together again,” I muse, ignoring her dismissal. “Just like old times.”
“Not all of us,” Bella sighs. “Immy is still in the Old Country.”
I shrug, not surprised that I forgot our last sister. “I guess Evie will have to suffer without her ass-kisser tagging along everywhere she goes.”
“It’s unlikely she’s still sane,” Bella mutters. “Evie was always strong… Immy…”
I roll my eyes. “Was a weakling who survived centuries of our sire’s hatred by attaching herself to Evie like a leech. If Cain’s feeling merciful, he’ll put her out of her misery in a few years.” There’s no way that our awkward, ginger-haired sister is anything more than a drooling heap by now.
“The sensible thing to do is to keep as much distance from Evie as possible so Cain doesn’t use us to punish her next,” I continue, resisting the urge to touch the collar hidden beneath the high neck of my dress.
Bella fingers the scarf covering her own necklace. “I take it he promised to remove yours as well?”
I nod. “About fucking time. Why should we take the blame for her stupidity?”
“It wasn’t a punishment,” Bella corrects. “It’s a reminder. He’s only considering removing them because once Evie’s back, there’s no need for them any longer. She’ll be a walking advert for what happens if we disobey.”
She flips her long, straight hair over her shoulder and shakes herself slightly. “I’ll see you there.”
This time, there’s no stopping her from cutting our call and leaving me alone.
Chapter Sixteen
Draven
