Page 74 of Worse Fates

I hear a grunt that sounds both annoyed and entertained, then spot Rurik lounging in a reading nook, holding a steaming mug.

“Wait, what?”

I startle at Ramy’s voice from where he is at the kitchen counter. How the hell did I miss him?

“When?” And Ray’s head bounces between Kai and Rurik like he’s watching a tennis match.

Kai storms over, grabbing my forearm and hisses, “Mate, do you have a single subtle bone in your body?” And drags me out the door. “C’mon, Ramy!” he calls over his shoulder, and after a moment’s pause Ramy’s footsteps follow us.

“You’re the one with the extra bone, if you get what I mean,” I tease.

“The bloody kettle gets what you mean,” Kai grumbles.

“You slept with Rurik?” Ramy asks again.

Looking over my shoulder, I say, “I kinda thought you’d slept with him too, and Lucero.”

Ramy makes a face like I asked if he eats dog food. “Why would I do that?”

“Because they’re big, sexy, muscular models who wanna suck on things?”

Kai snorts, but doesn’t disagree with me.

“It would be like you sleeping with Kai,” Ramy says and it’s Kai’s turn to make a face. “Besides I kinda…well, I thought Vidar and I…nevermind. Back to Kai.”

“Not back to me.” Kai shoves me into the same little living room I met Rurik—without his fangs in my neck—for the first time.

“Wait, wait.” I wave my hands in the air. “Youwanted to be with Vidar? But he’s…so…” I suck in my cheeks, trying to imitate a skeleton.

Ramy shuts the door behind us. “Trust me when you see Vidar once he’s better, you’ll understand how he convinced four very sensible men to change their whole lives and become vampires in a handful of days.”

Kai stops squeezing my forearm to cock an eyebrow. “That hot?”

Ramy rests his back on the door and lets out a long, dreamy sigh. “You have no idea. Too bad he’s straight.” And from Ramy’s tone it is one of life's greatest tragedies.

“Oh, piss off, no way.” I punch my fists onto my hips. “You’re telling me Vidar collected a bunch of hot gay dudes to have friendly adventures with? Dunno, sounds pretty homosexual to me.”

“Mega homosexual,” Kai agrees.

“Anyway,” Ramy waves us off. “You and Rurik?”

“Oh, yeah that.” Kai aims daggers at me. “You’re a dickhead, by the way.”

Pointing stupidly at myself, I say, “Me?”

“Yes, you! You big fucking idiot. The last time I saw you, you were screaming and sobbing like the world was ending. Rurik kept trying to, and let me make the madness of this extremely fucking clear—he kept trying tofeed you his bloodto heal you. Which was one of, if not the most, fucked up things I’ve ever witnessed in my life. And all this blood mage bull crap. Oh yeah, and we all nearlydied. So yes, I fucked Rurik.”

I reach for him. “Shit, Kai. I am so sorry. I really am—”

“This is fucking insane, Golden. You said he was a vampire, and I believed you. Last night I saw it first hand and now I really believe you, does that make sense?”

“Er sorta—”

“Shut up, mate, I’m talking,” he huffs. “I was freaking out and scared and just wanted to grab you and Ramy and get the fuck outta all this scary vampire bullshit!”

Ramy clears his throat. “You do realise I’m one of the vampires you're talking about?”

Kai shoots a glare at him. “Fuck off, Ramy. Jesus Christ, you're one of my people now so just let me be upset and rant.”