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“What are you doing?” I stiffened when I felt his hands on my hair.

“I don’t want to eat your hair. Sit still,” Araki had grumbled and proceeded to braid my hair. His fingers sifted through my hair in quick succession. I pulled the long braid over my shoulder once he was done and eyed his work. Impressive.

“Thanks,” I muttered. Araki hadn’t responded, but I felt his hot gaze on my head for a flitting moment.

We rode in silence then, tension nestling between us even as my traitorous body soaked up the heat from his hard body pressed to my back. His strong thighs cushioned mine, his hand holding the horse's reins. His lovely scent invaded my lungs, and I inhaled greedily. My mind drifted again to what could be if we weren’t enemies. I felt his attraction as he could feel mine in the layers of hatred we carried for each other.

The unwelcome thoughts were quickly put to rest when we arrived at the palace, and Klaus stormed toward us, looking distraught and angry.

Araki quickly dismounted, meeting him halfway. I hopped down and walked toward them.

“Your Majesty, where have you been?” Klaus demanded as he looked between us. I flashed him a wide smile. Araki ran a hand through his hair.

“There was a Strigoi in the duchess’s house. It was already there when I went back to make the barriers but managed to stay hidden enough that I didn’t detect it. I killed it.”

“So, you were right about it being a Strigoi,” Klaus remarked.

Huh! Klaus also knew about his hunch? I shot a look at Araki, but he ignored me.

“What is it you wanted to tell me?” Araki asked.

Klaus handed a piece of parchment tied around the rock with a ribbon. Blood splatters over both parchment and rock. “It was thrown into the morgue.”

“Is Nadine alright?” Araki asked as he unwrapped the parchment.

“Yes, she was unharmed, and everyone else too, thankfully,” Klaus sounded relieved. I briefly wondered who Nadine was until Araki read the message on the parchment.

“The undead will rise once more.” Araki read it aloud.

“That’s not a parchment,” I muttered, shivering. “That’s—it’s—that is skin.”

Klaus shuddered as Araki retrieved a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and wrapped the rock inside to conceal it. Someone had been skinned to send a message.

“There was a report of an unusual sighting of a night walker just outside the city,” Klaus reported.

“Another Strigoi?” I spoke.

“Or worse. A Bruxsa.” Klaus said grimly.

I frowned. “But that it’s not-”

“You saw the Strigoi. Anything is possible at this moment.”

“Fortify the palace. I’m going to investigate,” Araki said sharply.

“Araki, let me go. It could be dangerous,” Klaus suggested.

“No,” Araki said curtly, his eyes blazing with anger. “I will not cower. Whoever it is that thinks they can bring harm to my people,my kingdom,will face me.”

“I’m coming with you,” I said firmly. I wasn’t going to sit and wait for whatever to happen, not after encountering the Strigoi. Who was behind such monstrosities? I needed to know to alert the Nightshade of the looming threat.

“You will only slow him down,” Klaus shot me a scathing look. I felt Araki’s eyes on my wingless back, and I stiffened. It made sense if he flew there, it would be faster than the horses.

“Come,” Araki held out his hand as his wings spread out, ready to take flight.

“You don’t mean you intend to carry me?” I asked, eyeing his wings.

“Afraid little lamb?” He purred.