Page 63 of Blood

“You will address me as Queen,” she yells.

Behind her, her enclave of vampires spring into action. Fangs bared.

In a matter of seconds, they have us surrounded. Kim is grabbed from behind and hauled to his feet. He tries to fight, but he’s not strong enough.

Zephyra’s vamp pierces Kim’s neck, and a trickle of hot red liquid pools beneath the vampire’s mouth.

As the smell of fresh blood fills the air, Zephyra sighs heavily.

The hunger stirs within me.

Nova screams, but Snow charges forward, forgetting he’s small and not much of a match for them. He barks loudly. Mack yells for him to come back, but he’s hit with a crossbow bolt, and goes down hard.

“Snow…” Nova’s scream is filled with terror and rage. I can sense the power building in her, but she hesitates. She knows she can’t use her powers without risking our lives.

None of us can.

“Now, now, Fire Bird…” Zephyra’s voice is sickly sweet as she steps closer to her. “I’d think twice before doing anything rash. You wouldn’t want to hurt your friends, would you?”

Two female vamps catch hold of my arms.

“I’ve been following your journey.” Zephyra splashes through puddles, water staining the hem of her white silk dress. “You are a fascinating creature,” she says. Then she inhales slowly, inches away from Nova’s face. “And your blood would be a true asset to my operation.” She glances back at me, over her shoulder, and flashes a pearly grin. “Wouldn’t you say, Ink Heart? Don’t you think my punters would go crazy for a vial imbued with your girlfriend’s blood?”

“If you touch her…”

Zephyra tuts loudly. “You’ll what? Be very, very cross and then run away?” She laughs now, a loud bark that echoes in the air around us. “I have to say…” She folds her arms, and taps her foot. “This couldn’t have worked out better.” A blade-like grin stretches her lips. “I think we’re going to have fun.”

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