Page 74 of The Vampire's Mercy

Hiss…

The door opened a fraction more, the hinges creaking.

“Find the truth, precious one.”

The sound of the voice snapped me out of the dream, my eyes opening to find a snake’s head inches from my face.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

PARIS

Isat up, sliding back to press myself against the wall.

Damn. I’d fallen asleep and left myself vulnerable to this snake.

The crystal blade appeared in my hand in a puff of silver smoke.

“Get away from me!” I warned the serpent.

But the blade disappeared, the king’s dominance smacking it away.

Shit.

The snake’s forked tongue probed the air, her head resting on the edge of the mattress. The rest of her body spread out in a long line of muscle and emerald scales across the grassy carpet.

By Aidan, she was huge.

I lifted my hands in deference. “It’s Medusa, right?”

She hissed.

Was that a yes? “I’m Paris, a guest of the king. Well, not a guest. More like a thrall. A new thrall who’s going to be sharing this room with you.” I laughed nervously, wondering why Iwasn’t throwing myself at the balcony doors instead of chatting to the python.

Man, those amber eyes were fierce, emanating pure predator energy. The snake knew she was queen of this bedroom, and I’d better not forget it.

She didn’t move, just stared at me, reminding me of the king. He loved to stare too.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” I said, tugging at my choker.

Nothing but flicks of her tongue.

“Please don’t eat me.”

She moved toward me then, slowly slithering closer, her tongue inches away, probing.

“Please!” I squeaked, calculating how far I’d get if I sprang off the bed and made a beeline for the balcony.

How high up were we? I hadn’t checked earlier. I faffed about with a book when I should’ve been scoping out everything in deeper detail. Thrall or not, a guy like me should always have a solid list of plans.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Medusa dragged herself up onto the bed, resting her head on the pillow. She coiled the rest of herself up, getting cozy beside me.

“Huh?” I whispered.

She hissed, then went still.

“Are you sleeping?”