Page 27 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“I’ve never been this cold before.”

“We’ll see more snow tomorrow.”

“Great…”

“We’ll be there by late afternoon. Then you’ll be nice and warm.”

“Just gotta meet some Originals first…” She tightened the cloak around her and Fang. “After watching the family drama between you and Cobra, I can only imagine how dramatic this family reunion will be.”

I kept my eyes on the fire.

“You think your father will help us?”

“If the offer is enticing. And having the humans fight with us is enticing.”

“I’m not sure how likely that is.”

“We’ll just tell him that for now and deal with it later.”

She stared at the fire. “Thank you for doing this.”

“We both know you gave me a great incentive.” I got to keep her a little longer, keep her until the Ethereal were defeated. That could take months…or years. And I got to be satiated and strong.

“Can we sleep by the fire? I’m so cold.”

I grabbed the bedroll from where it was beside Cobra and dragged it right next to the fire. With our armor still on, we squeezed into the bedroll together and got comfortable. Then Fang slid inside, moving to the bottom of the bedroll where our feet were and rested his body on top of our legs.

“Fang, there’s no room for you,” I said, adjusting my legs.

“He’s fine.” Her eyes were already closed as she cuddled into my side. “Leave him be.”

* * *

I secured Larisa’s horse to mine so she could ride with me, seating her in front so I could keep her warm as we rode through the snow. Fang was tucked in a pouch on the side of the saddle, unable to handle temperatures so low.

We finally arrived at the entrance to the territory, the archers dropping their bows when they recognized us from afar. The gates swung open and granted us passage, and as the sons of King Serpentine, we were treated as royalty.

With the exception of Larisa. Every vampire stared.

The three of us walked through the stone streets as we approached the palace, Fang still wrapped around my shoulders to keep warm, and we entered the first tower to be greeted by Imperius, his right-hand commander, his most trusted servant—other than Aurelias.

With his hands behind his back and his eyes fixed solely on Larisa, he addressed Cobra and me. “Your visit was not foretold. Why have you traveled to Crescent Falls?”

“To speak to our father, which we don’t need an invitation to do,” Cobra snapped. “Tell him we have much to discuss after Grayson was attacked by the Ethereal.”

Imperius finally looked at us directly. “When did this attack commence?”

“Four weeks ago,” I said. “We survived—only because King Cobra came to our aid. We must discuss our recourse in this matter. Rather than repeating this entire story a second time to King Serpentine, prepare him for our meeting.”

Imperius gave me a cold look before he walked up the stairs and disappeared.

Larisa looked at me. “You’re both awfully rude to him.”

“Because he’s on a power trip,” Cobra said. “Like we need the permission of a lesser man…”

I didn’t like it either. Aurelias had no barriers when he wanted to speak with Father, but for us, we always needed permission, always had to overcome obstacles. No son should have such barriers between himself and his own flesh and blood.

Imperius returned a moment later. “Follow me.” He turned around and headed up the stairs.