Page 43 of Feeding Beauty (The Lost Girls #5)

Hot Boy Needs Healing

AURORA

T alon will be all right. He has to be.

“Mal got away,” I say. Back at Poison Apple, my heart flutters like a hummingbird that is unable to land. I can’t sit. I can barely breathe.

Talon is laid on a cot in Rap’s office since getting him upstairs would be too tricky, even with all of us trying to move him.

With some cleverly used towels I arranged as a buffer, I got Talon’s arm over my shoulders and helped him stagger out to the entrance of the crypt. Not without leaving with some angry red burn marks from when I buckled under his weight.

But when I emerged into broad daylight, I found myself met with Rap and the crew who jumped into action, helping me get Talon in the van they came in. They also gave me hell for running off on my own. I didn’t argue with them. Hell, I could barely hear them through my terror for Talon.

We couldn’t take him to a hospital. They can’t treat a Dragon with skin that burns, but Rap said someone who can help is on the way.

“What is Mal planning?” Ariel asks, her fingers nervously playing with the lens on her camera. Sunlight blasts through the massive skylights, feeding the live tree at the center of Poison Apple.

“She’s planning on being a bitch, that’s what,” Snow snarls as she storms back and forth.

“Not helpful,” Rap says dryly from where she leans against the bar.

“She wants revenge,” I say as I hug my body.

Everything Mal said runs through my head on a loop.

We could build something new.

You could have your life back.

I could take the gift back.

Never did I imagine I’d get to face my tormentor, and now that it’s happened it’s almost more than I can process. I rejected her offer, but I can’t dismiss the possibility that I could somehow get free of this hunger.

“We’re here,” Cinder announces as she sweeps through the front door, letting rays of sunshine in. A vampire walking openly under the sun? Then I remember Snow and Ariel debating something about it being connected to her blood magic.

Behind Cinder comes the fast-strutting Fairy Godmother, Dame Kiki Eleganza.

“Where’s the hot boy?” Kiki asks without preamble.

Rap directs her to follow, and I’m close on their heels.

Kiki pauses, turning to me. “You want to help him, honey? I need some room to work, and he’s gonna need a whole lotta calories when I’m done with him. Order some food for everyone while you’re at it. It’s on Rap.”

“Hey,” Rap protests.

Kiki shrugs. “Don’t be a stingy scrooge of a boss.”

“I’ve got it,” another voice comes from behind me. I turn to find myself face to face with King Kaison Charming. Mal’s brother.

“You,” I sputter in anger.

Kiki and Rap leave us to go help Talon.

“You thought this was my fault? Well, it’s not.

It’s your stupid sister’s fault. She ruined my life.

Did you know that?” The words tumble out of me faster and faster.

“Did you know that she’s turning people into vampires and thralling them?

That she used her magic to curse me as a baby?

For something I had nothing to do with? I didn’t ruin your family, but your sister ruined my life.

She tried to suck Talon dry and now she has absorbed some of his Dragon abilities.

She is still set on destroying my family for what happened.

She has to be stopped.” I gasp for air after I finish my tirade.

“You’re right,” Kai says quietly.

That stops my fury cold. “What?”

I was expecting a fight.

I was preparing to hit below the belt to make sure he knows just how misplaced his judgement was.

I was not expecting…agreement?

“She’s...” Kai runs a hand through his silky black hair in open distress. “Mal is out of control. I remembered her as a child, as one reveres an older sibling, but I see now how she’s lost it.”

“We stayed in town after the wedding,” Cinder says, “to investigate the rise in vampire activity in Boston. She came to the Common World when she was first exiled, but she settled on the East Coast a few years ago. You’re right, she’s been turning people into vampires and thralling them into doing her bidding. ”

“Which would be abducting mages and sucking them dry to absorb their magic powers,” I inform them as I cross my arms.

Even the implacable Cinder reacts to that.

“W-we didn’t know,” she says, looking between me and Kai even as his expression hardens. “The power to thrall is a trait of the royals, but absorbing mage powers through blood…”

“Isn’t that what happened with you?” Ariel points out. “You both can walk in the sunlight, but that happened after Kai drank your blood, and you have mage powers.”

The couple studies each other, exchanging some silent communication.

“That is what happened,” Kai says slowly. “I can’t believe she’d do this. She’s turning people, using them, draining mages, cursing babies.” He swings an arm in my direction. “She’s practically become our father.” Something dark flashes in his eyes as his jaw tightens.

Kai turns to me. “I’m sorry about what I said before. I’ll do whatever it takes to help you.”

I step back. “I don’t want your help.”

Cinder encircles Kai’s arm in her hands, leveling me with a look of resolve. “Well, you’ve got it anyway. Mal can thrall others, but I can break that power."

“Blood magic,” Snow murmurs somewhere behind Cinder with what sounds like new respect.

“I won’t let our kingdoms go to war,” Kai continues. “The Midnight Realm will do everything to aide the Rosari princess and the Realm of Roses.” With that, he bows to me.

I swallow back the myriad of feelings that have stuck in my throat like a toxic lump.

“Thank you,” I say through numb lips. My royal upbringing kicks in, and I know I will do whatever it takes to stop her from hurting the Rosari Kingdom and my parents.

Oh fae lords. I rub my forehead. “My parents, I need to warn them.”

“And tell them what?” Ariel asks. “You don’t know what Mal’s planning.”

My lips thin. “I don’t, but I have to tell them she’s coming for them. And that she’s gorged herself on Talon’s blood.”

“Oh.” Snow perks up. “Are you gonna use that courier system between Realms?”

I sigh, my shoulders sagging. “I was actually hoping you would let me borrow your phone.” I hold out my palm to her.

Snow’s brows scrunch together. “But the Realm of Roses is like Midnight, isn’t it? No tech allowed?”

Kai and I exchange a look.

“Tech was forbidden in Midnight when my father ruled,” Kai clarifies. “That has changed, though I doubt it will become popular anytime soon. But it is very nice that I don’t have to smuggle batteries in using my various cavities anymore.” He grins.

“The Rosari can have tech, they just prefer not to,” I say as Snow puts the cold device in my hand. I’ve rarely used one of these, but I remember my training.

“What does Talon like to eat so I can order food?” Kai asks quietly.

“I’ve got this,” Snow announces, throwing an arm around Kai steering him away. “Have you had the pleasure of frequenting a fine dining establishment called The Salty Bastard?”

“Snow,” I hear him say even as I walk away. “I drink blood. But even if I didn’t, I don’t think I’d eat at a place called The Salty Bastard.”

“Don’t act so high and mighty,” Cinder counters coolly. “You’ve technically sucked on actual salty bastards.”

“Ew,” Ariel says while Snow makes retching sounds.

“Gross, babe,” he says, though I can hear his smile.

I force myself to pass Rap’s office where Talon is, and head to the break room. I pull up the phone and type in the number etched into memory. As a princess, I’d been given many means of communication should I ever need them. I just haven’t wanted to use them…until now.

The phone slips in my sweaty palm as it rings.

The call opens with a video and two people staring at me.

I give a little wave. “Hello, Mother. Father.”