Page 98 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“Basically, Clara doesn’t know the truth. Most of them don’t. King Elrohir and a few select others are harboring their secrets. I refuse to believe they’ve truly been blessed with immortality. They’re doing something sinister to maintain it and deceiving their own kind. But once she becomes queen…she will know the truth.”

Viper stared.

“And knowing her, she would be disturbed by the facts.”

“It doesn’t matter how appalled she is, self-preservation always takes priority. She came here to murder Kingsnake and an innocent woman all because she poses a threat to their longevity. She’s not as kind as you assume she is.”

I became lost in thought, wondering how much Clara knew about Kingsnake and Larisa. “I wonder what the Ethereal have told her. Maybe they’ve given her a different story for killing Larisa. I’ve never asked.”

“Ask all you want. I’m sure her answer will be what you fear most.”

“If she leaves here sympathetic to us and suspicious of her own kind, then there’s no better ally to have.”

Viper rubbed his chin. “And if we kill King Elrohir so she takes the throne, we would have an ally in power. Instead of war, we could have peace.”

I gave a nod but felt sick to my stomach at the same time.

“It would fix everything.”

“Yes…it would.”

Viper studied me. “I’ve watched this become more complicated with every passing day. You would be excused from this part of the plan for your own conscience.”

I wasn’t sure if that would be enough.

“Ask her why she came here. I’m eager to hear her answer.”

The door opened without a knock, and one of the generals entered. “A raven has just arrived from Crescent Falls.” He approached me at the desk and handed me the scroll before he departed.

I took my feet off the desk and unrolled it. “Kingsnake has returned. He’s on his way to Grayson.”

* * *

The fire burned in the hearth, casting light and shadows around the room, and I lay there with Clara in my arms. I pressed her face to the sheets and fucked her from behind until that pussy was full of me. Then we lay there together, saying nothing for a long time.

We only had a few days left in our agreement. I knew her answer without having to ask, and on the eighth day, she would take a horse and ride back to Evanguard. It’d been a short amount of time, but she’d left a mark so distinct, it was a battle scar. I didn’t cuddle after sex. I didn’t share any kind of affection whatsoever. It was a transaction—and nothing more. But here I lay, dreading the end. “Clara?”

“Hmm?”

I didn’t want to ask and ruin this moment, but I wanted this answer. “Why did you come here?”

She lay in my arms for a moment before she slipped away, positioning herself upright to look at me.

“Who were you supposed to kill?”

Her eyes shifted back and forth between mine. “Kingsnake and the woman at his side.”

“Why?”

She stiffened, absorbing my seriousness. “Because they’re leading an attack against the Ethereal.”

This woman lived on lies. Lies and more lies. “The woman at his side is Larisa. She’s the only human immune to the sickness that’s wrecking their population, a sickness that the Ethereal intentionally released. They wanted you to kill her because, without her, there is no cure. And without a cure, we’ll eventually starve. It’s all a ploy to get rid of us.”

She stared at me with hardness, her poker face hiding her thoughts.

“You know I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“That’s a bold accusation to make without proof.”