Page 101 of The Vampire's Lament
Mental note: Grab some before I leave.
Although I’d never been to the capital city of the Elf Domain before, I’d done plenty of reading about it. You know, because these were the lands of my people. And out there in east was Elmwhisper Woods, my place of birth.
My skin prickled, a light breeze rippling in my hair. A sign? A welcome back to my homeland?
One day I’d go there and learn more about my origins.
Maybe even meet my parents.
Whoa. I wasn’t so sure about that. My heart might implode. Anyway, meeting them without Pearl didn’t seem right.
They’re probably dead, anyway.
Man, I could be so fucking morbid.
“I didn’t think I’d come here again,” Elio said from behind me.
Who gives a shit?I kept that to myself, eyeing more of the city, the flora around me saying hi.
“Hello, sweeties,” I said.
Elio went to say something, but held back.
I didn’t care that he’d be receiving the same greeting. This wasn’t a world where we shared the joy of flora and bonded over all things elfy.
If he tried it, I’d pitch him down the hill.
“Vaughn’s house is down there,” Silvanus said. He gestured at a path to my right.
There wasn’t much atop this hill other than an oak tree and three benches, all angled to face the city. The view in the other direction was pretty dark, aside from a road carving through rolling countryside and woodland toward the coast.
Medusa walked to the edge of the path, taking a peek over the edge of the hill.
“Pretty steep,” she said.
Silvanus joined her. “Watch your step. Follow me.” He took point.
I followed, bumping into Elio.
“Sorry,” he muttered, stepping back.
Silvanus blurred between us, his back to me. “Stay away from him.”
Whoa. The threat in his tone almost got my knees knocking.
“It’s okay,” I tried.
Elio moved further back, trembling.
“We just bumped into each other.” I put myself between king and thrall. “Honestly, it’s nothing.”
Check me out standing up for the prick.
Check Silvanus out being all protective of me.
Hmmm. I kind of liked it. Especially the way fury swirled in his eyes like ruby storms.
But this wasn’t the time or place to swoon.
