Page 85 of Worse Fates

Light buzzes back on.

Paper drifts to the ground.

Summer’s heavy breathing in the quiet sounds too loud, and sweat drips into her normal hazel eyes. Then I spot Luuk passed out on the ground, and realise the bonk came from the bat hitting him in the face, if the growing lump is any indication.

Summer follows my gaze. “Oops…”

“Er, so Summer,” I breathe out. “What the actual fuck?”

Ramy steps away from Kai. “She’s a shadow mage.”

“And your vampires.” She crosses her arms and cocks her hip. “Which explains why blood mages have been popping up.” Her gaze flickers to Luuk, concern wrinkling her brow, but when Rurik moves, her eyes rubber band back to him.

“Holy shit,” I breathe. “Why are you a repair woman if you knowmagic?”

“Still gotta make a living, babe.” She shrugs, then sends daggers at Rurik. “And stay down tall, white and scary, or your ass is going to find out just how powerful I am. Golden, Kai, why the hell are you with these vamps?”

I point at Lucero with my thumb. “He’s my soulmate.”

Summer examines Lucero, trying to find a flaw. “Oh…” She seems unconvinced, but her hands drop. “You date people?”

My eyes roll skyward.

Luuk groans as he starts coming too. Kai shakes himself off as his big brother mode activates and pushes past Lucero and Ramy, jogging over to a very confused looking Luuk.

“What happened?” Luuk moans, hand touching his lump and immediately regretting it from his wince.

“What do you remember?” Kai asks, slowly helping Luuk up. “Don’t move too suddenly.”

Luuk cradles his head, his other hand waving at Rurik. “That guy being a dick.”

Kai chuckles. “Yeah, sounds about right. C’mon, let’s get you a cuppa and some ice.”

All that fear and tension in Kai evaporates while he fusses over Luuk. Gently bossing him into the kitchen, slapping his hand away every time Luuk tries to touch his bump.

The tension between Summer’s brow dissipates now that Luuk’s being cared for. “Your Jace has gone full crazy, by the way.”

“He’s a blood mage now,” I tell her.

She makes a face. “I know right, gross. I dunno how he did it, either. I never sensed magic in him before.”

“A question for another time, right now we’re hunting him down,” Lucero informs her, his arms around my middle to keep me in place.

“Why would they take Apollo?” Rurik demands as he stands, dusting himself off.

“I have no idea…” Summer replies, the rings of her fingers catching the light as she watches Rurik like he’s a dangerous animal. “Jace walked in with that Emma woman, but before he could even utter a word, Apollo went over and said he doesn’t want any trouble, so take him instead. He’s always been a strange little vamp.”

All the air in Rurik’s lungs leaves him on an exhale. “He’s a vampire?”

“Since when?” I burst out.

Summer shrugs. “Always?”

When Rurik steps forward, we all tense, Ramy’s hand going to his shoulder as if to hold him back. But Rurik only holds his palm out. “Please, show me a picture of Apollo,” he begs, stare intense and seconds away from snapping.

Summer’s gaze snaps to mine, then back to Rurik.

“Please,” he says between clenched teeth.