Page 33 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

Every time I heard that goddamn name, it infuriated me. But I had to sit and take it, because if I revolted, it would only show how deep her knife had penetrated me. “You just met her. You shouldn’t trust anyone you just met.”

He studied me for a while, intelligent eyes analyzing every cue I gave. “She’s cast a powerful spell—and you’re bound by it.”

I said nothing.

“I’m far too late.”

“Just because she strikes back when she’s disrespected doesn’t mean she’s untrustworthy.”

“Kingsnake.” His tone deepened, scolding me like a child. “Don’t you see?”

“There’s nothing to see.”

“Her intention is to harvest the venom of the Golden Serpents and raise her own army of Originals.”

I kept a straight face, but what I really wanted to do was laugh. “No, it isn’t.”

“I know these things—”

“You’re paranoid. You’re the most paranoid man I’ve ever met.”

“And that’s why I’m still on top. That’s why I haven’t been publicly humiliated by a woman. That’s why I haven’t lost the respect of everyone around me. You could learn a great deal from me if you dropped your ego.”

The last thing I wanted to be was my father. A heartless man who felt nothing for anyone—including his own sons. “Larisa has no interest in being a vampire. I offered to turn her before, and she rejected me. When she realized she possessed the venom of a Golden Serpent, she was disturbed, not joyous.”

“All an act—”

“For what reason? She could have gotten what she wanted immediately. A relationship with me would be unnecessary.”

“A relationship?” My father said the words with disdain. “Vampire kings don’t have relationships. They have whores. They have slaves. We sire no children, so relationships are not only unnecessary, but a liability. Have you learned nothing from the past—”

“It’s a temporary relationship. Once she fulfills her end of the deal, she wants to leave.”

My father turned quiet for a while. “What are the parameters of this deal?”

“Her blood makes me strong. Stronger than I’ve ever been, even when I was brand-new. Even after she has the cure for her people, she’ll stay with me and help us defeat the Ethereal. She didn’t believe they were capable of such evil before, but now she understands they aren’t what they seem.”

He was quiet, contemplating everything I’d said. “A symbiotic relationship.”

“You could say that.”

“But you care for her.”

“Of course I do.” I blurted out the response because the question itself felt like an insult. “I’m not devoid of all emotion like you are. I care for the people I rule. I care for my brothers. I even care for you.”

“You do not care for others the way you care for her.” His shrewd gaze pierced my flesh, pierced my bone. “If everything you’ve said is true, you still need to be careful. Never hand a woman the hilt of your sword. I thought you’d already learned your lesson—but it looks like you’ll learn it a second time.”

* * *

“We’ll leave from the port of Crescent Falls,” I said. “Father has offered one of his ships.”

Cobra stared at the shoreline from where we stood on the mountaintop, snow already on our shoulders where it had fallen. “Get seasick?”

“No idea.”

“Then good luck.” He pivoted his body, looking at me head on. “I’ll escort Larisa back to Grayson. If you don’t return…she’s fair game.” The corner of his mouth tugged up in a smile.

“She’ll be accompanying me.”