Page 43 of Eternal Ruin

“What if we try to kill Arin? Go straight for the Nefrasi,” Taj said, throwing his switchblade up and down. “And by we, I mean you two. I’ll pass around the weapons.”

Susenyos supported himself against the windowsill, drinking alcohol andcoffee to temper his hunger, but it was hardly working. He had spent all day in the Southern Sost Buildings, lingering around in the courting room, where the smell of blood rioted. The collective stench of blood had nearly made him keel over but no acti had been interested.

Savage Susenyos was only for the daring.

But even if they had, he knew he couldn’t keep their blood down. He rubbed his hurting jaw. He didn’t know how long he could stand being away from Kidan. He hadn’t missed the empty glass sitting in Adane House, red liquid coating its inside. Knowing Samson was feeding on her infuriated him beyond words. But the only way he could kill him was after securing the blade artifact.

Iniko’s eyes were trained on the door. “Arin’s too strong. We need at least twenty of our best warriors to land a scratch on her.”

Susenyos winced as he nodded. “We do whatever necessary to get the Nefrasi back.”

Once he had his people, he would deal with Arin.

“It’s good we’re finally doing this,” Iniko said, studying him. “I—”

A blur of leather appeared before Iniko could finish her thought. She flew back, hurtling through space, colliding with the wall.

Susenyos and Taj straightened, reaching for their silver weapons.

A booted heel rested on the container of blood.

“Sorry I’m late,” Arin said, checking her claws. “Andreyaslikes to talk. Oh, and that’s how you land a scratch, Iniko.”

Iniko righted herself and brushed the dust off her coat, her carved cheek bleeding.

The scene reminded Susenyos of the first time the three stood against Arin. They had been human then. Entirely outmatched but Arin had appreciated their bravery enough to let them live. That was the thing about Arin. She respected sacrifice and loyalty, which was why what Susenyos had done was unforgivable.

Two vampires came in after her.

Susenyos lifted his chin in surprise. Biruk and Henok. They were part of his food lovers group. Insatiable. Eager to taste everything and anything. Perfect.

It was Henok who walked in first, tall and lanky. Susenyos had a sudden image of the two in his court, stealing plates of roasted meat from his father’s table and being lashed with lion-skin ropes.

Despite every bone inside him hurting, Susenyos smiled.

Both their mouths fell open slightly.

“Y-Yos?” Biruk appeared to not believe his eyes. “Arin told us you were alive but—”

“Biruk,” Henok snapped, taking a step back, assessing Taj and Iniko. “Don’t talk to him.”

Henok removed his silver earring, in the shape of a dagger, and quickly cut his tongue. Iniko reacted instantly, bringing out her double-bladed knife and drawing her own blood, holding it flat against her forearm.

A bitter pang went through Susenyos but he pushed it aside.

Instead he turned his anger on Arin, who was studying every frame of his expression. This was another test.

She was showing him what he’d done to his own people. Turned them against one another.

“Iniko,” Susenyos said.

She lowered her weapon.

“We’re not here to fight,” Susenyos said.

Only confusion and questions waited in their gazes.

“I thought you were dead,” Susenyos told them. “We looked for you… after.”