Page 34 of The Serpent’s Bride (Bloodlines #1)

“Herein lies the story of how you and I arrived at this moment.” Raziel sneered, disgust clear on his sharp features.

“We have spent generations ensuring that Luciento was the only remaining fae in that clan of feral humans to make them as toothless as possible. But rabid dogs are still rabid and Mael mistook their complacency for loyalty. The Iltanis got greedy and decided to broker deals they had no right to, so we responded by murdering their partner to ensure they learned their lesson. In turn, they bit the hand that fed them for the last time.”

Luciento was the only fae left in the Iltani clan. Nadi had suspected that, but the knowledge of it hurt. “So…we’re showing up with crates…because?”

“Because my cousin Deniel thinks we don’t know what he’s up to.

That we don’t know all his little side deals with Luciento.

” Raziel scoffed. “We’ve let it continue because it’s useful for us to have an extra few sets of eyes and ears with the aspiring beast-fuckers.

And in the past Deniel has always made a peace offering to Luciento after there have been spats between our families—his way of saying It’s not me, it’s them.

So, a few extra crates of guns will get us past the idiots at the door.

Then, it will be too late for them.” He shook his head. “To attack me at my wedding…”

“ Our wedding.” She shot him a look.

“They weren’t targeting you for your sake,” he argued back. “They were trying to murder my family at my wedding.”

“Whatever.” Rolling her eyes, Nadi went back to watching the city go by.

She was familiar with this part of town—more than his area, to be fair.

She only ever went to the expensive part of the metropolis to kill.

This was where she lived. But not where she belonged.

Where she belonged was down below, in the Wild.

Where Luciento was from.

With the rest of the fae.

She shut her eyes. “Why’d you actually agree to bring me?”

“You were right. I need a reason for Luciento to not shoot me on sight. I need long enough to speak.” Raziel paused. “And someone I can trust to act intelligently.”

That was interesting. She watched him for a moment. Not someone he trusted per se—but someone he trusted to act intelligently. “Thanks?”

“You’re welcome.” He smirked. “Besides. You were right on another point. If you die, it does save me a boat ride. You should know that my mother has insisted that you die during the honeymoon. You are not to be turned.”

Shit. Well, that wasn’t entirely unexpected. Volencia hated her, and the feeling was mutual. “And it’s her decision to make, not yours?” She grunted. “Because she’s the matriarch.”

“Precisely.”

“Huh. So I really shouldn’t have told her off earlier?”

“It wouldn’t have mattered. Your death is meant to send a message to your father and the humans he has working for him in the outer posts. My mother also said she doesn’t need me…distracted.” Raziel sneered.

Distracted. She watched Raziel for a moment before going out on a limb. “I think what she meant to say was that you’re easier to control when you’re alone.”

He didn’t respond. And his expression didn’t change. He just stared out the windshield of the truck as though she hadn’t spoken at all. Well, she’d tried.

“Either way, I’m glad you listened to reason and brought me along tonight.

I’d rather die being useful than as a part of some…

twisted blood sacrifice in a few days.” Nadi turned her attention back to the street.

They were getting closer to Luciento’s base of operations.

“They might be confused as to why you brought a woman along. And they might recognize me.” She pulled the cap she wore farther down over her face.

“Eh. I’ll simply say that you’re part of the peace offering in case the guns aren’t good enough. You can handle that.”

She slapped him on the arm before she realized what she was doing. But it earned her a laugh from him that was genuine, and a smile to match it. Shaking her head, she glared out the window. Mostly to hide her own half-smile. “I’m not sleeping with any of the Iltanis.”

“No, but it would get you alone with one of them long enough for you to stab them.”

She hated it when he made sense. “You’re assuming they’re going to take turns.”

He snorted. “Fair point. I’m sure you can argue that you’re not that kind of whore.”

“Ah, yes. The classy, one-at-a-time kind of whore.”

“Precisely.” He was clearly extremely amused by the conversation.

She paused. “What happened back there? In the bedroom? Why did you?—”

His expression fell as he cut her off. “Don’t.”

She sighed. “I know I’m going to die soon, but?—”

When he cut her off, his fangs were extended. “I have been trying to keep myself from ripping you to shreds .”

She stopped, stunned.

“The scent of your blood is driving me insane .” His words were tinged with a deep growl like a second voice. His hands tightened on the wheel so hard the metal creaked. He had to take a deep breath and focus on relaxing his grip.

After he paused, he continued. “I tasted you after you were shot. I have had every drug on this planet, and it’s nothing like what your blood has done to me. I do not know what is—why you—but when I’m near you—the urge to—it’s overpowering.”

“Oh…” was all she could manage. A shiver like ice water ran down her spine.

Is it because I’m fae…?

“I’m supposed to kill you in a ritual, but I don’t know if I can honestly wait that long. There is…a good chance you do not survive tonight, regardless of whether or not we’re successful.” He grimaced. “And whether or not that is my intent.”

Shit.

He brought her here tonight because after Luciento Iltani and all his goons were dead, there was a real good chance she’d be another corpse right there alongside them. He was going to feed from her and likely kill her in the process.

Killing her by drinking her dry would shame his family…unless he could blame her death on someone else. What was one more corpse in a fight with the fae gang? Easier to cover up than in his bedroom.

Unless she managed to kill him first. Or they managed to kill each other.

She tried not to laugh at the mental image of it.

Whoever found their pile of corpses was going to be terribly confused.

The corpse of a fish-tailed fae on land, dead beneath the body of the Serpent himself, and a sea of dead Iltani humans.

What a headline that’d make for the newspapers.

Taking a deep breath, she held it, and let it out in a rush. “Well. Let’s hope I don’t break as easily as all your other toys.”

Raziel’s laugh was quiet. “You may very well come to think death is the better option. So many others have.”

Her jaw twitched.

One way or another, she was about to find out. No matter what—between her uncle and her new “husband”?

Tonight was going to be a mess.