Page 126 of Ravenous

She couldn’t make it to the window before he reached her. But she had to try.

A fist suddenly hammered the chamber door. “Open up, Co?tin! The king wants you. You can’t avoid his summons forever.”

She lifted her brows. “Not a lot of respect in that guard’s tone,” she pointed out, still easing back. “Sounds like you’re in trouble.”

He turned toward the door, irritated—and she dove.

He traced, intercepting her midair, slamming her to the floor. Pain shot up her side.

“I don’t have time for this right now! But a quick death is too good for you.” He snatched her arm, and the castle faded as he teleported her away.

Moonlight blazed, and she blinked to adjust her night vision.

“Welcome home, Badlander.”

Her mouth went dry, heart seeming to stop. They stood in…Strigoi Gorge.

Sand cliffs bowed like broken ribs. Quicksand pits yawned open. Strigoi prowled the valley floor, wings making slow sweeps, talons glinting in the moonlight.

Her lungs seized. The ash smell. Her mother’s grip. That last scream.

Nadje fought for control, forced air into her chest. “I can be useful,” she rasped, thinking fast, knowing she must live by her wits…or die by the fang. “I have information about many in the kingdom. Trace me back and imprison me, and I’ll tell you secrets as you’ve never known. Secrets that can help you with your father.”

Co?tin’s grin was cold. “And let you spill mine? No.” He looked over at the circling strigoi. “Besides, I won’t need help with Neculain much longer. Everything is in place.” He gave her a mocking bow. “Enjoy their dinner.”

He traced away. Leaving her alone. Weaponless. In the middle of Strigoi Gorge.

The closest one hissed, its fangs dripping. Another crouched low. Wings unfurled. Talons clicked against stone as their shadows stretched over sand.

Some fates were worse than death. Co?tin had just offered her up to one.

The snarling pack closed in from all sides, eyes aglow with hunger.

Like her mother, Nadje had booked her passage too late.

Chapter 48Ven

Bloodreach

“Why do we have to wear water plants on our heads?” Chiyo asked, holding afoul-smelling clump of them as though it might bite. Rain dotted her lashes, her face woeful.

Eyrun tossed a paddle into the canoe. “Camouflage on the water. We’ll grab the next two clumps for ourselves.” She tipped the bow toward the Scarlet Shallows.

“Clouds hide the moon. No one will see us, right?” Chiyo nibbled her wet lip with a small vulpine fang.

Ven yanked her gaze from that tempting mouth.I don’t like distractions. So why do I like this one?“The moon can break through while we’re paddling,” she said. “You wanted to come as we investigate? Then do as we ask or go home.” She and Eyrun climbed into the canoe.

“Fine.” Chiyo crossed to the bank to join them. Her movements when sword fighting were precise and economical, yet her gait was an ass-swishing, hip-swinging miracle. She carried herself as if she always sported the bushy tail of her shifter form.

Ven rolled her eyes—at herself—and admitted:I’m a fan.

She’d thought Chiyo might share her interest, yet after seeing Ven do her job in Grimrock, she’d cooled.But removing demon testicles is just a part of the grind, shifter. See me, love me.

Or don’t.

Chiyo climbed in behind them, then took the sodden, rotting mess andplopped it on her head like a coronation gone wrong.

Ven and Eyrun guffawed with laughter so hard they rocked the canoe.