Page 83 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

It’s the Autumn Court assassin. The one who tried killing me with an arrow.

“What the fuck?” I say. “What are you doing here?”

Bran steps between us. He wasn’t there when she attempted to kill me, but he doesn’t need to ask questions.

The river quickly fills with our group and several other members of the Autumn Court. They’re all wearing the same jackets with delicate leaves embroidered in gold around the sleeves.

No one has tried to kill us yet. So I guess that’s a good sign?

“What am I doing here?” the girl asks. “Saving your ass.”

“You tried to assassinate me,” I point out.

The line of Bran’s shoulders goes rigid. “You what?” There is a telling growl in his voice.

The girl’s hand inches toward the dagger strapped to her hip. “Can a girl not change her mind?”

Behind her, Arion approaches us. His hand is already on the hilt of his sword, ready to unsheathe it. “Lethea,” he calls. “Explain yourself.”

“Well, if you must know, I came to the Summer Court upon the princess’s return without the authority of the Autumn Court. My sister and I have differing opinions on the Winter Court.” Lethea turns to me. Her eyes are somehow the color of autumn — a shifting brown and red and orange depending on the lighting. “No offense, but your family and mine have a long history of hating one another and you did try to kill us once.”

“Well I’m a little offended,” I answer. “You don’t even know me and you’re making assumptions based on people I didn’t even know.”

Bran glances at me over the broad line of his shoulder. The look he gives me says he’s pleased with my sass. Just as long as it’s not aimed at him.

His look emboldens me, and I step around him, squaring off with Lethea.

“If I acted as recklessly as you did, I’d be killing you right now for the same reasons. And would I be justified in that?”

The line of her mouth goes thin as she grits her teeth. “No,” she finally answers. “I suppose you wouldn’t.”

“Then can we agree not to try to kill one another in the future based solely off of what we know of our family?” I extend my hand.

Some of the buzzing and the churning of my gut has lessened.

Lethea glances at my hand, considering.

She says, “We can agree on that.”

We shake.

Her hand is calloused and cracked. She’s apparently not afraid to get her hands dirty.

Arion comes up alongside us, his grip on his sword easing off. “Now tell us why you’re here.”

“The queen of the Autumn Court would like to ally with the Winter Court.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t help it. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” Lethea crosses her arms over her chest. “The Autumn Queen would like you to know that she recognizes the need for the balance of power. And the Summer Queen clearly does not want balance. She wants it all for herself. We’re here to help stop her.”

“And to put the past behind us?” I add.

Lethea nods. “A fresh start for all four courts. And hopefully the healing of the realm.”

“So what did you have in mind?”

“I’m so glad you asked.” She smiles at me, then turns to the woods on the opposite side of the river and lets out a shrill whistle.