Page 92 of Eternal Ruin

He liked her negotiation. She reminded him of the stubborn acti Laya Chamo. She’d fled Lusidio’s camp and showed up on their doorstep, bruised from head to toe, demanding payment for her blood. He’d admired her courage and they’d sheltered her for a year before they went near her. It still made his teeth grind, recalling the forced actis in Lusidio’s camp. There were two kinds, those who served Lusidio with a sick sense of worship, and those who were chained and starved. Many were in the latter group. As much as the Houses of Uxlay bickered and plotted it was a safe haven compared to the outside world.

The side door opened, and Raf Delarus nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Easy,” Susenyos said.

Arin’s boots clicked on the floor, Biruk and Henok flanked her. Their eyes were red-ringed and their nails tipped with black claws.

Henok’s voice was off-kilter, erratic. Dangerous. “Why are we here?”

“I have actis for you.”

Their heads whipped toward the rows of seats, fangs elongating. Susenyos stood, and motioned for Lara, who moved stiffly, as if walking to her death.

He took her hand, admiring how little it trembled.

“Neck or wrist?” he asked her.

Her painted nails touched her throat. He swept her curls away from her brown skin, exposing the length of her neck. The sight stirred his own thirst, a wrenching need pulling deep in his gut.

But it would do little good if he couldn’t keep it down.

“Henok, come.”

Henok hesitated. Susenyos reacted swiftly, pricked at the soft flesh, making a bubble of blood appear. The scent of blood slid under them all like heaven.

Henok lunged forward. Susenyos grabbed his shoulder firmly. “Gently.”

He nodded. When Susenyos stepped away, Henok tilted her head up and bit down. Lara cried out softly.

Raf Delarus shot to his feet. “Careful with her.”

Susenyos turned to him, motioning for Biruk to follow. “The neck or the wrist?”

Raf stared at him with the hatred reserved for bargaining with devils. Stiffly, he extended his wrist. Biruk wasted no time, latching on to it like a wolf around its prey.

Susenyos felt a sense of pride in providing for his people. He’d missed this. Iniko nodded at him from across the room, keeping a focused gaze on Arin.

“That’s enough,” he said, once they were cruising on the delicious high of the consumption. “Heal them.”

Lara swayed on her feet, but Henok righted her, feeding her his own blood.

Once the actis left, Susenyos called to Arin on the edge of the stage, who sat with her legs crossed, quietly observing.

“See?” he said. “We can safely consume blood without resorting to barbaric methods.”

“Impressive. But you’re still two actis short.”

“I will have more. Carefully.”

“Carefully.” Arin tilted her neck, voice curved like a scythe. “Safely. How human you sound.”

Susenyos tried not to growl. Arin knew well how much he loathed being reminded of the powerless boy he once was.

“Shall we visit the Nefrasi now?” he asked instead. “Introduce them to our new actis?”

It was an effort not to ask after the blade artifact again… but he had to be patient.

Arin’s eyes roved over him slowly, gleaning every molecule of weakness, and snagged on his sleeve.