Page 53 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

Rancor stilled, holding back his own temper. “A lot has changed in these lands since your last visit. King Rolfe has starved our kind from both fronts. We grow weak and hungry…very hungry.” His eyes glanced to Larisa.

He knew.

He looked at Aurelias again. “Help us win this war—and it’s yours.”

Silence.

Aurelias didn’t say anything.

I hadn’t anticipated this visit to go so poorly. I was told we were allies, but Rancor felt differently.

“Is this a joke?” Aurelias eventually said. “I ask for a snake…and you ask me to win a war.”

Rancor smiled. “It may just be a snake, but it’s life-and-death for you. Just as this war is for me.”

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Then I guess you won’t have your snake.”

Fuck, this was bad.

Aurelias stared.

Rancor stared back.

Neither one caved.

Aurelias turned to me. “Let’s go.”

We’d come all the way here…for nothing.

“Tell us more details about your war.” Larisa stepped forward.

Aurelias stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. The ferocity on his face…was impossible to describe. But he didn’t dare intervene, because if he did, it would be obvious that we weren’t a united front—which was more dangerous.

Rancor looked at her, and that smile disappeared. “King Rolfe has ruled these lands for the last twenty-five years. Ian Rolfe, his brother, is the steward of the southern kingdom of HeartHolme. In addition, he possesses dragons that fight for his causes. If it were just HeartHolme, we would have a chance of success, but not when Delacroix will come down swiftly at the first sign of trouble.”

“It sounds like you can’t win this battle—even if we helped you.”

“We have more allies,” Rancor said. “Allies that neither Rolfe brother is aware of.”

“Then you really don’t need us,” Larisa said.

“We have a plan that would win the war without bloodshed. But it can’t be orchestrated by any of us.”

“Why?”

“Because they know our faces. They know the Teeth. But vampires…there’s no way to tell.” His eyes drifted back to Aurelias and me. “Travel to Delacroix and do my bidding—and get your Golden Serpents.”

Aurelias stepped forward again. “We’re in the midst of our own war. I can’t remain here while the blood of my people is spilled.”

“That’s my price,” Rancor said. “More blood will be shed if you return without what you came for. King Serpentine will be most disappointed when his prince fails his quest.”

Aurelias stared him down.

Rancor did the same.

A silent showdown ensued.