Page 160 of Cruelly Bitten

“Yes, Cam,” Kylan echoed as he sat beside Ryder and pulled a redhead into his lap. “We’re all very eager to learn how finding you is the solution to all our problems.”

So much for introductions. But at least the focus was no longer on me.

Unfortunately, it was on Cam now. Because everyone wanted an explanation for his actions.

Which was going to be rather difficult for him to provide without his memories…

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CAM

“What problems?”I asked, eyeing Kylan’s expensive suit and the pretty female vampire seated on his lap. “You appear to be doing just fine.”

I shifted focus to Ryder, my mind automatically cataloging all the potential weapons hidden within his casual attire. I’d known him for a very long time. Even without all my memories intact, I knew he was the biggest threat in the room. The others might rival him in power, speed, and agility, but they usually put formalities first.

Ryder, however, didn’t care for rules. He cared about survival.

And he clearly cared about Ismerelda.

If he thought I’d wronged her in some way—which appeared to be the case for him and Damien—then that made Ryder the one I needed to keep an eye on.

Although, Khalid was a close second on my watch list. Primarily because he was a master of mysteries and secrets. He’d never been an ally.

Which made his presence here surprising, if a little intriguing.

“Hazel,” I said, ignoring whatever witty retort Kylan had just tossed my way. Because he’d said something in response to my observations regarding his comfort. But I hadn’t been interested enough to listen to it.

Assessing the room had been more important.

As was regaining order.

“You called this meeting,” I went on, my words for Hazel. “Perhaps you’d like to lead it?”

Her brown eyes held mine for a beat, her expression carefully blank. “I’m not one for formalities, Cam. Let’s call this a discussion rather than a meeting. And I’d actually love for you to begin by telling us where the fuck you’ve been for the last century or so.”

“Well, that’s going to be a very short story,” I informed her. “I woke up a few weeks ago with only a handful of memories from the last millennium. It seems my brain was fried by some kind of weapon.”

“Lilith had him watching video logs that suggested he was responsible for this world,” Ismerelda added. “And Michael played a role in ensuring it was all carried out effectively.”

“Michael?” Jace repeated, his dark brow inching upward.

“He’s alive,” Ismerelda muttered, her distaste for the vampire echoing inside her mind.

I agreed with her sentiment.We’ll track him down, and I’ll watch you kill him,I promised her.I just ask that you make it painful.Because he deserved to suffer for what he’d done.

She stiffened in my arms, then glanced back at me, shock registering in her pretty green eyes.You’ll let me kill him?

My brow furrowed.I won’tletyou do anything. Your choices are your own, Ismerelda. I just assumed you’d want to be the one to rip off his head or set him on fire.Both options would ensure he never woke up again.

She blinked at me.Oh.

I studied her, not understanding her confusion at first. Then I realized the cause—she was comparing me to old Cam again.

He would never have let me kill someone, she was thinking.

I believe we’ve already established that my former version was a fool,I replied to her.I’ll happily watch you destroy Michael. Fuck, I’ll even hold him down for you. Hand you the blade or the match. Whatever you desire, my queen.

Her eyelashes fluttered again, her surprise palpable.