Page 63 of Kingly Bitten

But as I turned, I swore I caught relief in some of their stances, like the idea of working for Jace put them at ease in some way.

I wondered at that revelation as I walked over to help Damien. And I continued to wonder about it while I worked with him to download as much data as we could to the devices Damien had brought with him.

Then I helped him set up a backdoor access point so he could log in whenever he wanted to pull additional files. It would give him all the details he wanted from this server farm, assuming nothing happened to the physical hard drives.

We also monitored the feed to Bunker 37, and Damien took one of the Vigil’s watches to keep us apprised of any incoming protocols.

Nothing happened, our infiltration here seeming to be a secret.

By the time we finished, night had fallen and the rendezvous with Bunker 27 was scheduled to take place in two hours.

“Your alibi is arranged,” Darius said as we exited the building, his words for Jace. “I’ve sent word that you stopped by my estate on your way back from visiting with Lilith in Ryder Region.”

“Seems a bit out of the way directionally,” Jace remarked.

“Yes. I implied that Juliet was the cause for your detour. Once they see Calina, I imagine they’ll understand why.”

“I do enjoy female-on-female play.”

“You do,” Darius agreed. “Which explains us accompanying you back to Jace City.”

“Something you also arranged?”

“I did,” his sovereign replied. “We’re scheduled to leave my estate for Jace City in four hours. Damien mentioned something about altering flight scanners to corroborate all of this, including the bits from Ryder City to my home.”

“It’s fascinating that you avoided the political arena all these years,” Jace commented. “You’re extraordinarily good at it.”

“Also, you’ll be pleased to know Jasmine has agreed to meet us in Lajos Region in two days’ time,” Darius added, ignoring Jace’s commentary about his political aspirations. “And Lajos also joyfully accepted our request for a visit.”

Jace arched a brow. “Joyfully?”

Darius’s green eyes darkened. “He’s excited by the prospect of formally meeting Juliet.”

“Ah, I thought she might work as a decent lure,” Jace murmured. “He’s been thirsting for a taste of yourErositasince you brought her to the Blood Day ceremony.”

Darius didn’t reply, but I sensed his displeasure in the tight lines of his shoulders.

“What about Luka?” Jace asked, ignoring the hard expression on the other man’s face.

“He’s arranging a welcoming crew near Bunker 27. He’ll be awaiting Damien’s signal.”

“Brilliant.” Jace turned to the Southern vampire with a smile. “I assume you’re okay with taking lead on the assault on Bunker 27? You were craving blood after all, yes?”

Damien’s lips curled into a feral grin. “Are you trying to seduce me, King Jace? Because we already know I’ll happily kneel for you.”

The mental image of Damien on his knees for Jace caused my cheeks to heat. Because that… that would be a sight to behold.

Jace returned the amused look. “Try to keep my new Vigils alive. I’m going to need them soon.”

Damien snorted. “I’ll see what tricks I can teach them on the way.” He started toward the field, only for Jace to catch him by the nape and bring him back before him.

“I expect you to stay alive as well,” Jace added. “If you suspect anything is about to happen, you’d better fucking run. Understood?”

Damien gave him a look. “You and Ryder are starting to concern me with all this emotional bullshit.” He visibly cringed. “Please don’t hug me.”

Jace huffed a laugh and patted him on the back instead. “I mean it, Damien.Survive.”

“It’s not like I want to die,” Damien tossed back at him.