Page 61 of Cruelly Bitten

“Why wouldmy Erositachoose to defyme, her liege?” He took a step forward. “Are you suggesting I’ve not properly trained her to serve me?”

“O-of course not, my?—”

“So then again I ask, what would she gain in this situation, Michael? Why would she try to take down our operation?”

“Because she doesn’t want to be replaced,” Michael said quickly. “The whole purpose is to manufacture immortal blood bags. When that process is perfected, you won’t need to tie yourself to her anymore.”

My lips parted.What?That’s… that’s what they’re…? But… but how?

I blinked, my mind quickly providing an answer with what Michael had just said—by creating more Blessed Ones.

Blessed Ones didn’t require blood to survive, only their children did. And yet, Blessed Ones were immortal.

That made them the perfect food source for vampires.

Because they can’t die.

And then…then Cam will no longerneedto tie himself to me.HisErosita. His mate. His immortal source of blood, but with a spiritual tie.

Oh, fuck…

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CAM

The sharp intakeof air behind me told me everything I needed to know. Still, I glanced over my shoulder to take in the shocked betrayal coloring myErosita’sfeatures, mostly to ensure Michael could see it, too.

“Does her expression look like that of a woman who already knew of our intentions, Michael?” I asked flatly. “Because she certainly appears surprised to me.”

Michael cleared his throat. “She could be acting.”

I scoffed at that. “Doubtful.” Those tears in her eyes were too genuine to be fake, something I only knew because of the way they tugged at my soul.

Which was ironically why I needed to cut ties with this human.

Ismerelda inspired irrational desires within me, such as the one still riding my spirit even now. The one that told me tokillMichael for touching myErosita.

“You’re… creating… and replacing…” Ismerelda trailed off, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to harness her emotions.

I arched a brow, waiting to see if she’d try to say more. But my darling lioness had disappeared behind a cloud of doubt, the confident feline part of her no longer in control.

A shame, really.

I’d been incredibly intrigued by that part of her while using the scanner. She’d been bold and assertive, her gaze holding mine without flinching as she told me without words that she hadn’t betrayed me.

Then a few careless words from Michael had chased the fierce lioness away, leaving theswanbehind.

Such an intoxicating conundrum, I marveled, still staring at her.This must be why I keep her—her complexity.

Well, that and her delicious essence.

And maybe for sex, too. Although, I hadn’t experienced that part yet.

Soon,I thought.After I finish dealing with Michael.

“So what other reason would she have to interfere in our plans?” I asked, refocusing on the male in question. “Because she clearly wasn’t aware of our goal until you mentioned it.”

Michael’s green eyes narrowed slightly. “Her brother is a known player in the revolution, and he’s technologically savvy.”