Page 135 of Cruelly Bitten

Her dark brown eyes instantly met mine, shock flashing across her porcelain features as Keys flicked his fingers to send the translucent screen back into the space in front of me.

“Jesus,” Hazel breathed.

“Not a name I’ve ever answered to,” I deadpanned. “But I’ll acceptGodinstead.”

She released a delicate snort, then shook her head. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“Locked in a cell under the Vatican,” I answered truthfully. There was no point in voicing riddles or wasting time. I needed to know if Hazel was an enemy or a potential ally.

And there was only one way to determine that over the phone—by testing her reactions to the truth.

“Or that’s what I’ve gathered, anyway,” I went on, referring to where the fuck I’d been. “Apparently, Lilith created a weapon that can render vampires mindless. She used it to hold me captive before destroying a thousand years’ worth of my memories.”

Hazel gaped at me, her lips parting soundlessly.

It was the reaction I’d hoped for because it confirmed she hadn’t known about Lilith’s antics. More than that, she wasn’t amused by them—she was stunned. And not in a positive way.

Or maybe she’s just a good actress.

Only one way to find out…

“The technology has something to do with the part of the mind where theErositabond exists,” I went on. “Ryder recently experienced it for himself. I believe you know how that ended.”

I was, of course, referring to Ryder randomly broadcasting a video of him holding Lilith’s severed head for the entire alliance to see, shortly after Jace had decapitated Lajos.

“Those are some… heavy allegations…” The words left her slowly, ending with her clearing her throat. “Do you have proof?”

“My sudden appearance and explanation are not enough for you?” I asked her.

“Through a phone?” she countered, scoffing at me. “No.”

My lips curled. “Then an in-person meeting will have to do.” Because once we met in person, she’d know the truth.

And, consequently, so would I.

“Indeed,” she agreed. “I’ll also be calling Ryder to corroborate your story.”

I translated that to mean she intended to invite him to Hazel Region for a visit.

“I suggest asking Jace about it as well. He can be more eloquent than Ryder.” And by that, I meant Jace understood vampire politics and respected his fellow royals. He would serve as an amenable intermediary. A translator for Ryder’s bluntness.

Assuming Ryder even allowed that.

“I’ll consider it,” Hazel conceded. “Abigail will retrieve you from the checkpoint and take you to Deirdre City.”

I stared at her. “Where?”

She blinked. “Former-day Bled.”

“Oh.” Right. The remaining functional cities in this new world had been renamed after royals and their sovereigns. I hadn’t finished studying all of the hierarchy yet. “Keys will drive me there.”

“Keys?” she echoed.

“My human escort. He’s under my protection now. As is Ismerelda.” I glanced down and back up just as Hazel followed my gaze to myErosita. The royal vampire had been so caught up in my appearance that she hadn’t noticed the female in my lap.

She swallowed, her brown eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn’t quite define. Surprise, perhaps. Surprise and…relief?

“I look forward to seeing you both soon,” Hazel said softly. “Abigail will still meet you at the checkpoint and serve as your guide. Your human escort—Keys—can follow.”