Page 11 of Venomous Lies (Greywood Conservatory for the Arcane #2)

My thighs clenched around his head, and I kept my grip on his horns, riding his face as I chased my release.

My nerves were so damn sensitive that I shivered when something cool surrounded me. Then I felt the horns disappear until I was holding his short hair.

“Fuck,” I breathed, slumping back onto the table as I released him.

I wanted to offer to return the favor, to have sex, shit, anything, but I could barely get my head to stay up straight.

Bricriu moved around out of my vision until he laid down on the table beside me. He tentatively curled an arm around my waist, making the effort to be close even though he wasn’t truly touching me. Not wanting him to second guess whether I wanted him, I shifted over until I was right next to him .

“If this table breaks, I’m letting you explain it to Hellsing,” I said with a small smile. “Plus, this was your idea.”

“We could move to a chair, smart ass,” he replied after a derisive snort.

“That seems less comfy,” I protested, snuggling further into his side.

We stayed silent for a while, him getting used to the close contact while I savored getting to be close to someone that wasn’t upset with me. Granted, not everyone was mad with me, but… It was exhausting and complicated. Right now, being with my mate just felt like the easiest thing in the world.

As I drew closer to him, I opened my eyes. I was about to say something when I noticed something odd. There was a bite mark on his neck, a fresh one from the look of it. I’d seen plenty on Ma’s neck over the years, so I knew exactly what it was.

Who fed off of him?

Better yet, who had he let feed off of him?

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” Bricriu asked, his long fingers running through my hair.

I tensed, but thankfully, he didn’t respond to that. Instead, he patiently kept playing with the strands of my hair, waiting for me to get my thoughts together. Honestly, it was a better reaction than I’d gotten from anyone else whenever emotions were difficult for me.

It wasn’t a healthy response, but that was a whole other thing.

“If I answer your question, does that mean you’ll answer one of mine?” I asked quietly. My curiosity about the bite mark was building, and I didn’t want to assume where it had come from. I could feel him nod, so I forced myself to sit up and move far enough away so we could see each other’s face.

“What do you know about mating for witches?” I searched his face as he stilled and slowly sat up as well, staying close so he could see me.

His sunglasses were back on, but for some reason it was easy to read him right now.

Maybe it was the sex or our proximity, but something told me there was more to it than that.

Maybe it has to do with that mate bond thing he mentioned earlier. Something to think on later.

But I could tell he was cautious, unsure, as he silently studied me for a few moments.

“Very little. I did not pay much attention to the proclivities of witches, though I know the basics.”

“Female witches have more than one mate,” I said softly, curling into myself as I waited for him to react how Echo had. “We need more to help ground our powers, balance us out, and there’s no way to tell how many you will end up with. But… I know witches usually have at least two.”

Bricriu didn’t move. Hell, it didn’t even seem like he was breathing. It got to the point that I started to get worried. Did I need to reach out and see if he was still alive?

Instantly, he snatched my hand, gripping it almost painfully tight as he yanked me closer to him once more.

“I knew you’d have more than one mate, witchling,” he breathed, and the nudge of his nose against my hair made me shiver. “As for the matter of it being more than just a small group… I guess we get to see that unfold at the same time. Like you said, you don’t have any control over it.”

I laughed, but my nerves made it sound a little crazed even to my own ears .

“I take it someone else didn’t take that news well?” he asked before his expression darkened. “Was it?—?”

“Echo, the incubus who had the rut. He asked me out,” I told him as I looked away, eyes traveling along the books that surrounded us. “I told him I’d have to ask my mate, and he just… shut down. It hasn’t been the same since, and he won’t let me explain about— about… well, anything.”

A heavy sigh escaped from him, then his long fingers gripped my chin hard, forcing me to look at him. He moved my chin in a small, gentle shake.

“Why are you making yourself smaller because of him? Curling into yourself and sounding so unlike the witch who greeted me with a bat and a mischievous smile when I came to bring her to Greywood. I’d offer to assist with making him listen, but honestly? Fuck him for making you feel this way.”

‘He has a point, beastie,’ Cassius said, chiming in for the first time since we arrived at the library. ‘As much as I hate to admit it.’

‘Because you didn’t say it?’

‘Shut it.’

“Fuck him. Don’t make yourself less because he can’t handle things not going his way.”

If I were a crier, that would explain the sting in my eyes that I blinked away… but thankfully, I wasn’t, so onto my go-to-way to deal with things—humor.

“If I say you’re the best, are you going to get?—”

“Obviously I am,” he countered coolly. “I’m first.”

“Oh gods,” I exclaimed with playful exasperation as I pushed his shoulder. “You men are all the same.”

“Am I wrong, witchling?” His growl brought goosebumps to my arms, and I shivered. “I didn’t think so.”

“The male ego really is wild,” I muttered under my breath before fixing my gaze on him. “Now, onto my question. What vampire fed on you?”

Bricriu stilled and ran a hand through his hair, messing up the short, white strands as he unconsciously brushed the vampire bite on his neck. I scrutinized his face, trying to see if he would side-step the question or lie. But no, it seemed he was just bracing himself or hyping himself up.

“Hellsing and I have… an arrangement.”

I blinked slowly at him. Cassius’ jealousy tore through me, pain following closely on its heels. He didn’t try to hide it from me, which was a change, but given what he’d said at the greenhouse, I appreciated the honesty.

“An arrangement?”

“I’m his blood donor, and he keeps the worst of the bullshit away from me while I’m here at Greywood.” Bones licked his lips, showing a hint of nerves as I hummed in acknowledgment. “Sometimes… Sometimes we have sex, but it’s not… It’s complicated.”

‘I bet.’

“Okay.”

I felt myself answer, unable to come up with something better at the moment. I had zero idea how I felt about Bones being with someone else. Any reaction I might have was all tied up in Cas’ emotions concerning Hellsing as well.

“Okay?” Bricriu’s head snapped around so fast I was surprised he didn’t hurt himself. “That’s all?—”

“I—” I had started trying to explain myself better when I caught someone familiar walking by the door.

What the hell is he doing here?!