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Even should it be true, I’d never tell her. V would spiral and refuse to ever love again. She’d become a eunuch. Whatever our future, I’d never let anyone take that spark of hope from her.

No one.

Redirecting the conversation, I crossed my arms. “How were they eventually wiped out?”

Cash sighed loudly, the sunlight hitting his angular features as he turned his head, clearly not the least bit happy I was dragging this out. “Can’t really say. It was once implied they had trouble procreating. Something about the power they wielded destroying their bodies. What Icansay is they ruled for tens of thousands of years without competition. They freely crossed the planes without losing their power. The Organization is either incredibly stupid to think they could control this sort of magic, or they know how to defeat it should things get out of hand.”

The Organization obtained the blood, so it wasn’t too farfetched to think they’d ensure there was a fail-safe if she ever rebelled. Either to contain her or kill her. Unfortunately, the cleverest minds were behind the Organization.

The reverse serum worked on V’s other blood, but she’d shown this Fae-magic blood could bypass its effects. That was made clear when she saved Sloan, from what the other Hunter described.

Fuck. Now I have to involve Sloan.

The only way to know for sure was to locate the information the Organization may have, and the only way to do that was to use someone still working for the Organization. That left Sloan, and that meant that staying away was impossible.

Fucking shit.

I dragged fingers through my hair, trying to figure out what move to make next.

But as I did, Cash cleared his throat and spoke up again, “There may be a way to bind it.”

Lifting my gaze to the Dark Fae, I offered him an eyebrow. “Go on.”

“It’d require maintenance—alotof it—and I’m not sure how it would work with her being a hybrid, but I think it can be done.”

“I’m sensing a huge ‘but’ coming,” I remarked, knowing from his face that it wasn’t an easy task.

Cash eyed me for a moment, then crossed his arms. “She’d need to cross over to the Fae realm. None of the Fae in this plane are capable of binding magic that strong. Not even me.”

His eyes dodged off to the right, but I’d already turned my head. I snatched the bracelet from his arm and removed Blood Slayer from its sheathe. “This conversation isn’t over. You’ll have to do more to get this USB.”

“You’re such an overbearing prick.”

“Beats being a slimy snake. Be grateful I don’t feel like tossing your sorry arse to the Organization for the part you played in V’s parents’ death.”

Cash’s lips lifted. “Must be so tough being head over heels for a girl with ancient Fae blood. I wouldn’t wish that fate on my worst enemy.”

Before I could retort, I was cutting through an arrow aimed at my heart. Then both Cash and I fled opposite directions to avoid magical symbols forming beneath our feet.

Guess the buzz kill brigade were here.

Chapter 9

Tragic Commonality

“You never talk about yourself,” I pried abruptly as we took a beaten path through the forest, ready to stake out a potential location nearby. “I mean, not really. Why do you men folk never talk about yourselves. I feel like you know everything about me, and yet I know so little about you.”

I didn’t hide my agitation well, and it likely projected on my face as hormonal teenage rage while we walked side by side, always aware of our surroundings.

Sloan was dressed in smart fighting attire, and his usual weapons were everywhere I looked today. His slim waist was strapped with an assortment of blades alongside some inventions I recognized Phillip liked to carry on him.

Sungho and Kris were paired off and checking out another potential location. We’d narrowed it down to two, so the odds of us finding it today were high. But the angsty, self-deprecating teen in me was more interested in prying into things I had no business prying into.

You’d think after Phillip I’d learn my lesson, but here we were again, digging a hole I’d likely be buried in.

My every action probably screamed of abandonment issues. Not that it’d be totally off the mark to say so. I was fully aware of howdesperate I’d become to connect with someone—anyone—who didn’t run away at the first sign of trouble.

I’d vowed to live, at least while I could. Presently, my choices were to try something new and chase after Kris, who was gorgeous. Honestly, it did appeal to me, since I’d in no small way wondered about my sexuality. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take a good few days to seriously think about it. Or, I could give whatever weird thing happening between Sloan and I a shot.