Page 71 of Eternal Ruin

Susenyos snapped the leg of a wooden chair, sped forward, and shoved it deep into Samson’s stomach, savoring the soundless gasp.

The stretch of his eyes.

He patted his cheek, staring into soulless pupils. “Always falling for the same trick.”

With a sudden unforgiving twist, Susenyos snapped his neck. Samson collapsed backward, thudding to the ground like a mountain rock. The chair’s leg still sticking out of him.

Susenyos sighed, studying the blood on him. It would be pointless trying to sway Samson. He might sit on the Nefrasi throne but his power came from Arin. They respected her strength more than anything.

Susenyos retrieved the syringe full of Ajtaf blood and returned to his poor friend. He opened Samson’s mouth, peeling back his lip to reveal the elongated fangs. He pressed the needle to the gums above each and pushed, emptying the syringe.

Drinking from someone that wasn’t your companion was illegal. Unless you had a record of it in the blood courting room. And Professor Andreyas would be disappointed his daily lessons had been fruitless.

Susenyos wasn’t fond of framing his enemies. He preferred to carve out their hearts with his silver weapon and be done with it. But Samson had plotted at length to frame him for June’s disappearance and Ramyn’s death once. Caused such a rift of distrust between Kidan and him, it still couldn’t be bridged.

This was payback.

He ran his hands over the front of Samson’s chest until he found something solid and pulled out Samson’s flask.

It was half full.

Shutting his eyes in relief, he unscrewed the lid and breathed in deeply. It smelled like the sweetest fruit in the eve of spring.

Kidan’s blood.

Tentatively, he allowed himself a small, torturous taste. Every nerve in his body became electrified, and disappeared instantly, leaving him hollow.

“Fuck.” He groaned as he took another sip.

His claws nearly pierced the metal and it was a miracle he gathered enough control not to finish it here and now.

He shook as he screwed the lid back on, the monster in his gut screaming for more.

How long can you keep this up?A voice scratched at the back of his mind.Sooner or later, you’re going to have to feed on her and pray you don’t kill her in the process.

28.

KIDAN

Kidan and her friends had been in the crypt when the news came through their phones.

The crypt was their new spot to remember GK. And either Kidan was going crazy or she could feel him here the most. Her tongue felt dry and she was thirsty, and angry beyond belief. Maybe it was his ghost, haunting this place, but none of them complained. Whatever punishment GK dealt, they’d accept it.

Slen smoked, huddled in her large jacket to protect from the chill and Yusef had a pack of roasted pumpkin seeds. They each occupied a different corner, passing around snacks and coffee, and only once their bellies were warm could they begin to pick at the wound GK had left.

Kidan flicked through GK’s journal, tracing the Sage artifacts he’d drawn in the margins.

Yusef started, always talking about the things he’d do to make it up to him.

“He really liked the baklava treats we had in town. I’ll get those.”

Slen countered, voice dead, “He is a vampire. He won’t be interested in sweets but blood.”

They both winced. Kidan usually didn’t say anything, thinking of the betrayal in GK’s eyes and how she could make him understand and accept his new fate.

She hadn’t told Slen and Yusef her plan. About how she wanted to make GK human in Adane House.

Nor about Aseracti.