Page 122 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“We kill or capture King Elrohir,” I said. “And once Clara is queen, we’ll have the peace we seek. Because of Cobra, we’ll finally win this war for good.”

“Or.” Viper stepped forward. “We kill them all and then attack Evanguard. Kill every last Ethereal and wipe them off the face of this earth.”

Cobra turned to regard him. “That’s not even an option—”

“Did you read the same letter?” Viper snapped. “She admits that the Ethereal poisoned the humans. And she admitted that the Ethereal are sustaining immortality in another way. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in a far more sickening manner than drinking blood—”

“We can’t assume anything,” I said.

“Oh yes, we can,” Viper said. “She could have told us—but she didn’t. Why?”

Cobra’s eyes shifted back and forth.

“Why?” Viper pressed. “Because she knew if we knew the truth, we would annihilate them all. We wouldn’t honor any of her requests. Whatever the fuck they’re doing isbad. Far worse than any crime we’ve ever committed.”

Cobra faced him head on and came forward. “She also said she and the others had no knowledge of these crimes. If they had, everything would have been different. They’re innocent, and we aren’t going to kill innocent people—”

“We’re innocent people, and they still killed us,” Viper snapped.

I held up my hand and came between them. “We don’t have time for this. The Ethereal are coming for us, and we need to band together. Clara’s information is going to be the reason we win this war. Fulfilling her requests would be the honorable thing to do.”

“Or it’s a trap,” Viper said. “To lead us astray…”

“She wouldn’t do that,” Cobra said.

“You nailed her a couple times, so you know her?” Viper said.

Cobra launched forward and slammed his fist into our brother’s face. “Speak of her like that again—”

“Knock it off.” I yanked Cobra off and threw him against the wall. “We will honor Clara’s requests, because even if the Ethereal have wronged us from the beginning, we’re different. They’re the evil monsters—not us. It’s our chance to finally prove that.”

Cobra righted himself but still looked furious.

Viper rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“Cobra, you will ride to Crescent Falls and return with the Originals,” I said. “Viper and I will prepare for war.”

They continued to stare each other down.

“This is the moment that will alter our lives forever,” I said. “We’re on the precipice of change. A new horizon. The battle will be long, and lives will be lost. We’ll fight harder than we ever have, because this information doesn’t guarantee our victory, and we can’t let it guarantee our arrogance. Make peace with each other…because this may be the last moment we all live.”

Cobra sheathed his anger slightly, his stare less lethal.

Viper released the hilt of his sword. “You know I have your back, Cobra.”

“And you know I have yours.”

* * *

Get up.

I’m sssleeping…

I said, get up.I walked to the bed and found Larisa still asleep, the covers wrapped around her naked body. “Sweetheart.” My hand cupped her face and brushed the hair away before I kissed her forehead.

You wake her up nicely…

Larisa gave a pleasurable sigh when she felt me kiss her. Her eyes slowly opened. “What time is it?”