Page 52 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

Details of their city became clearer as we drew near, a tall keep looming behind the wall. Soldiers were positioned above the gate, all carrying bows and arrows. Our armor would protect us from their onslaught long enough to escape, but our horses wouldn’t be spared.

When we reached the gate, Aurelias came to a halt. “I seek an audience with Rancor.”

I kept my horse in front of Larisa’s in the hope they wouldn’t pay too much attention to her.

“And who calls for an audience?” one of the Teeth said along the wall.

“Aurelias—Prince of the Originals.”

Prince? That was some pussy shit.

The Teeth disappeared, and we were left standing there.

Moments later, the gate opened.

Aurelias took the lead, and we followed, entering their large city that was comprised of a valley and the beginning of the hillsides. There were buildings everywhere, made out of sun-stained stone. Our horses were led to one of the stables, and then the Teeth who’d given us entry guided us to the palace.

I let Aurelias take the lead and stayed right beside Larisa, knowing there might be a problem once they realized she was human. They would either smell it on her or notice how different she was from Aurelias and me.

We were escorted into the palace, down an impressive hallway, and then taken to a throne room.

I was so tired of throne rooms, which was why I didn’t have one. Such a pretentious flex of power that really had no meaning whatsoever. A king was defined by his sword and how he carried it, not the way he sat on cold stone.

Dressed in all black with pale skin sat the leader of the Teeth, Rancor. His knees were far apart, and his arms lounged on the armrests. He didn’t wear a crown, but an obnoxious sneer. To anyone else, The Teeth looked human, just the way we looked human. But that mouth could unhinge, and several rows of teeth would emerge. “Aurelias. I remember your previous visit with my predecessor. It’s been a long time, and you’ve made quite the journey. Must be important.” The smile continued.

Larisa and I were ignored, which was fine by me.

Aurelias stepped forward. “King Serpentine has sent me on his behalf. I have a request.”

“Make it.”

“I need the location of the Golden Serpents. Do you know where they reside in your lands?”

Rancor was quiet, his fingers rubbing together as he fell deep in thought. “An odd request. Very odd.”

Knowing my brother, he was battling a vicious temper right now. “We have none of our own.”

“Because…?”

Aurelias chose to conceal the truth. “A horrible drought wreaked havoc on our lands. Haven’t seen them since.”

“That’s terrible news…very terrible.” Rancor continued to rub his fingers as he stared, and based on his demeanor, he didn’t believe the bullshit being fed to him.

Rancor made me uneasy.

“Will you answer my question?”

His fingers slowly tightened into a fist. “You’ve sailed halfway across the world for this answer—which means it’s of dire importance. You don’t expect me to grant you this favor without getting something in return, do you?”

Aurelias was silent.

“Do you?” Rancor pressed.

Aurelias kept his voice steady, but I knew he wanted to cut Rancor’s head from his shoulders. “What do you want in exchange?”

“We know what the Originals are capable of. Strength. Speed. Agility. More powerful than any other vampires that walk this earth—including us. We’ve heard tales—”

“What do you want?”