Page 105 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

Cobra slouched into the couch again, like a child trying to withdraw from the room.

“And no, we didn’t question her,” Viper said. “Why was that, Cobra?”

I stared at Cobra.

In defiance, he said nothing.

Viper spoke for him. “Because Cobra wanted to fuck her instead, that’s why. The one and only time we’ve captured their race alive and Cobra makes a deal with her. She lets him fuck her for a week, and then she gets to leave.”

The shock was potent in my blood. It really was a terrible blow. “Has she already left?”

“Yesterday,” Viper said. “Gave her a fresh horse and provisions and sent her on her way.”

I stared at Cobra. “This is all true?”

He gave a nod. “Yep. All true.”

Silence fell, heavy with tension.

“Next time, leave me in charge,” Viper said. “Cobra is a good king—as long as pussy isn’t involved.”

Cobra’s eyes drifted away again, his mind somewhere else.

I wanted to berate him for his stupidity, but my instinct told me to leave it alone. “Did we learn anything from her?”

“She’s Clara,” Viper said. “The eldest daughter of King Elrohir.”

“Why is she an assassin?” I asked.

“She did it in secret,” Viper explained. “Not exactly sure why. Cobra told her all the horrible crimes the Ethereal have committed, and she seemed genuinely baffled by it. It’s our belief that King Elrohir and a few advisers know the truth, while the others believe the lies. She refused to believe that the Ethereal had poisoned the humans, that the Ethereal had pledged this war against the vampires because of power, not divine intervention. It’s our hope that she’ll question her father about it and realize we’re right.”

“And what does that matter?” I asked.

“She’s next in line for the throne,” Viper said. “She has power. She could change things if she realizes what monsters they really are. Perhaps she could persuade her father to peacefully coexist with us.”

I gave a nod in understanding. “Then perhaps this all worked out for the best.”

Cobra lifted his gaze and looked at me.

Viper was furious. “Or she’ll tell her father that she had to fuck her way to freedom, and he marches here with his army.”

“What’s done is done,” I said. “Father is sending his army here. If they come, we’ll be ready. In the meantime, Larisa and I have the venom. We could begin immunizing Raventower before we move to the next kingdom.”

Viper stared at me. “That’s it? You’re just going to let this go?”

“Viper—”

“That’s not what you would have done, and you know it,” he snapped. “You trusted Cobra with your kingdom, and he betrayed you—”

“Betrayed?” Cobra asked incredulously. “Really?”

“Let me speak to Cobra in private.” I looked at Viper and waited for him to leave.

He pushed the chair back so hard it tipped over. He marched out and slammed the door.

“I’ll see you back in our bedchambers.” Larisa gave my thigh a squeeze before she walked out, Fang slithering behind her.

The door shut, and the silence ensued.