Page 123 of This Blood That Breaks Us

“Two whiskeys, two shots, and two beers,” Zach said.

The bartender scoffed at us. “Got a card for that tab?”

Ezra stepped up behind us and pulled up the sleeve of his suit, revealing his tattoo. “It’s on the house.”

“I’m sorry, sir. My apologies. I’ll get that right away.”

The crowd surged around us, and the other members funneled in. Everyone one of them bowed their heads in acknowledgment. Connell was the only one brave enough to come and speak with us.

“I’m here for whatever you two need tonight. Or any night. Say my name and I’m there. Ascension was so amazing, wasn’t it? Wow, you must feel so good right now.”

“Are you a little jealous, Connell?” Zach said.

“Oh, of course, sir. But you were born set apart. I could never compare. It doesn’t bother me.”

“Go have fun. You don’t need to follow us around.”

“Why not? Let him serve.” Zach grabbed his drink and eyed Connell with a vacant expression.

“No. We’re okay.” I grabbed my beer and shooed him before my brother could protest. I wondered how long I’d need to stay. I wanted to go home to Her. We’d been separated before, but the wall was gone, and I felt that bond with Her pulling on me. I would go to Her as soon as we were home and wouldn’t leave Her side.

Zach scanned the room. No doubt looking for the prettiest girl in the bar. I spied the girl in his line of sight sitting on another man’s lap. She was surrounded by a group of men, who didn’t look friendly. They all presented scowls in our direction as if they knew exactly who we were.

“Dibs,” Zach said, crunching on the ice from his drink.

I chuckled. “That’s good with me.”

The ice shook in my glass, and I turned to set it on the bar. How he thought about anyone but the queen, I didn’t understand.

Until I saw her.

A girl with highlighted warm-brown hair and green eyes. Sarah. She looked like her. Same hair. Same height. Same smile. I forfeited the air in my lungs.

“Don’t even think about it,” Zach said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit. Leave her alone. This is supposed to be fun. A new chapter.”

“Just . . . how? Look at her.”

I’d tried not to imagine what she’d look like now. A little older. Bolder bone structure. I wondered if she would have grown into her feet. She thought they were too big, but she was perfect.

“Doesn’t matter. We’re letting go, remember? We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

He was right, but oddly enough, I wanted to keep staring at this girl. I forgot where I was and sipped my drink in silent admiration. She laughed, and my heart pounded harder. It was the way the girl’s eyes lit up and her dimpled cheeks flushed. I wanted to talk to her. I’d almost forgotten the sound of Sarah’s laugh. It was all coming back. All that I’d once wanted, and all the things about Sarah that made me happy.

A feeling fluttered through my chest like butterflies. It had been so long since I’d felt that feeling, and maybe I needed to trust my gut on this one. The pain in my chest was gone, and I was free to feel. Her cheeks sparkled in the dim lights of the bar, and she caught my eyeline and smiled a toothy grin.

Maybe I needed to follow the butterflies.

Forty

Zach

The girl was drop-dead gorgeous, with warm-tan skin and long black hair that went to her ass, and I wanted her. No, Ineededher on my lap, whispering in my ear. I wanted her under me screaming my name, but more than that, I wanted to bite her.

I was full of blood, but a yearning bubbled in my chest since drinking the queen’s blood. Then I could go back to the castle and play house, but I wanted warm flowing blood in my throat first.