Page 72 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“Where are the others?”

I tilt my head and take her in. Average height, slim build, she looks like she trains every day, and yet she makes no move to come near me.

I shrug nonchalantly, and her eyes darken. “Maybe bring me some more of that delicious meat, and I might start talking.”

“Or perhaps I will just rip out your tongue instead,” she spits.

“You could, but then you wouldn’t be able to get the information you need.”

She turns to the stocky male.

“Remove the bars.” Her voice is a command that sends a chill down my spine, but I remain still, head held high, fists clenched to hold back the trembling.

He shakes his head nervously. “Eamon said that we weren’t supposed to open it.”

“Well, Eamon isn’t here, so like I said, open it.”

“Please, I’m not trying to disrespect you, but he is the General of the Roya—”

His words are cut off as she grabs him by his collar, bringing their faces only inches apart.

“Last time I checked, you were a member of House Creed, and I just gave you a direct order as your superior.”

Creed. Of course. House of Shadow Steel—or, as we called them back at the bloodhouse, the Shadowsmiths. They design and wield every weapon carried by a guard or soldier. Their shadows are said to be unbreakable once formed. Besides their heightened senses and brute strength, it was said to be one of the main reasons they won the war. She carries all the arrogance of a house with that much power.

The timid male holds out a shaky hand toward the bars, and the black tendrils fall away, sinking beneath his palm like they were never even there. She pushes him away and then turns her anger on me. She stalks toward me, and I prepare myself for an attack, but a sharp gust of wind fills the space, and a tall male with black hair stands in front of her blocking her path to me.

“Get the hell out of my way, Ajax,” she sneers.

She tries to sidestep him, but he moves to block her. She throws a punch at him, but he easily dodges it and, to my surprise, laughs.

“I told Eamon not to send you down here alone. You’re far too bloodthirsty. And I knew you couldn’t resist trying to kill her when you brought him down here with you.” He nods in the direction of the wide-eyed vamp.

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Screw you,” she says.

He laughs again.

“Go blow off some steam in the training room, little sis, and I’ll deal with ourguesthere.”

“I’m older than you,” she says.

“But smaller, so you know.”

They remain in a standoff for a few more seconds before she finally blows out a breath and relents. I send a smile her way. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m playing a role here, and clearly they aren’t planning to kill me just yet, so I’m not about to bend to a vampire if I don’t have to.

“Maybe bring some of that smoky meat on your next visit,” I tell her.

Her eyes pin me in a death glare.

“Kaia,” Ajax warns, and she finally walks off. He waits until a door slams in the distance and then turns to face me. To my surprise, amusement lights his face.

“You sure have a death wish, don’t you?”

I take the opportunity to assess him. He’s taller than me by a few inches, and though he’s not as muscular as the other male, who is clearly a part of the guard, he is well-toned and looks like he trains often. I could maybe take him after feeding him my blood.