Page 1 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

Episode Seventy-One

EARN MY SECRETS

The fae gate cracks open and light spills out.

Arion, Lord of the Summer Court, has betrayed me, and worse, he’s my brother?

I stumble back, but Arion is behind me, cutting off my escape.

I pivot at the last second, stumble over a rock and pitch forward…and someone catches me.

I look up into the face of the most dazzlingly handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“Hello, princess,” he says in a voice that sounds like silk brushing over stone.

“Who—” I start, but the question is cut off by the loud clank of metal.

Something heavy and cold settles around my neck. I reach for it instinctively and try to pull it away, but there is no give. The metal is thick and strong, the fastening solid.

“What is this?” I yank at it again. It feels like a collar, but I can’t see it to know for sure. Beneath my fingertips, I can feel sharp etchings in the metal.

“Ah-ah,” the man says and bats my hands away. “It’s for your protection as much as ours.”

I turn around to face Arion. “What is this?”

His eyes sweep over the collar, his dark brow furrowing, before he looks past me to the newcomer. “Was this necessary?”

“Queen’s orders,” the man answers.

“What queen?” I say, looking between them. “What the hell is going on? Who are you?”

“Allow me to introduce myself.” The man spreads out his arms like he’s a performer on stage. His hair is the color of saturated daybreak and it’s long and straight with several small braids throughout. The tops of his pointed ears stick out through the braids.

There is something vaguely familiar about him. The sharp slant of his nose, the cut of his jaw, and the bright, flecked blue of his eyes. But I can’t place it.

“I am Maven,” he says. “Prince of the Summer Court, and this one’s smarter, better looking older brother.”

I glance back at Arion, looking for confirmation, because if he’s Arion’s brother, then that means…

“Different mothers,” Arion answers. “No blood is shared between you.”

When I turn back to Maven, he’s grinning again. “Fear not, princess. You can pine for me freely and openly.”

“Good god. Is he always this egotistical?”

“Yes. I had forgotten just how much, though.” Arion frowns. “Time has weathered my memories, it would seem.”

Maven chuckles. “I missed you too, baby brother.” He turns back to me. “I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, princess.” He sweeps his arm across his flat stomach and gives me a shallow, courtly bow. “And how pretty you are.” When he straightens, he wrinkles his perfect nose and adds, “Though I had hoped you’d look less, well, mortal.”

Embarrassment flames through my face. I don’t care what he thinks and yet…

I am fae. That fact is established. But I don’t feel fae and having someone else point it out makes me want to crawl beneath a rock.

“Come.” Maven turns back to the gate. “The queen is expecting you.”

Arion steps beside me. “Will Jessie be assured her safety?”

“As if you care,” I tell him. “You did drug me, kidnap me and steal my blood.”