I walked forward, stopping between my old-time friend and the petite hunter. I glanced Xavier’s way, flicked my head to the side. He knew the gesture all too well already. He’d seen it many times over the centuries that we’d been working side-by-side. He followed me as I continued to walk forward, ignoring Zinnia. She didn’t like that.
“Hey. I have a score to settle with your man.”
I spun around and glared at her. “I suggest you be silent, little girl. I don’t care how many wooden stakes you have or how many UV-ray guns you wield, trust me when I say that I can take you. Say another word that irks me and you will have a score to settle, but not with my man, as you so aptly put it. The score you’re going to settle will be with me.”
The fool actually smirked. “Like you’ve ever been a threat to someone like me.”
Within seconds, my hand was coiled around her neck, her petite body raised two feet above the ground, her back against a marble pillar. She retrieved a wooden stake with one hand. I used my free hand to knock the weapon out of hers. I let go of her neck and quickly pinned her wrists above her head, using my own legs to keep her from kicking at me.
“I know your moves. I spent enough time at your headquarters to observe your training. Don’t mess with me.”
“We broke you,” she mocked.
“Oh, yes, you did. All the more reason for me to break you now. Revenge, that’s what you want, right? We both know how defenseless you are against me right now. Perhaps I should do it. Take revenge. That’s what you would do, right?” My fangs appeared. The act was painful in itself, considering that my fangs were removed at hunters’ headquarters, but back at The Shade, without the suppressing chemicals that the hunters had injected me with, the fangs had been growing back. I hadn’t used them yet, but at that moment, I couldn’t think of a better way to use them.
It seemed like poetic justice. Truth be told, I wanted to do it. Teach her a lesson. Sink my teeth into her neck and show her that we weren’t to be messed with. But I knew that all I could do was threaten her. It was a bluff, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew it.
“Go ahead,” she challenged. “Do it. Go against what your king told you. Let’s not play around. We all know you’re just your brother’s pawn.”
“Maybe so, if he was here, but he isn’t, is he?” I pressed my teeth into her neck and she gasped. I don’t think she’s ever actually had a vampire suck her blood before.
“Vivienne…” Aiden spoke up. “Don’t. We have other things to take care of.”
I guess the bluff is working. I stepped back and stared Zinnia down. Rage flashed in her eyes and for a moment, I could have sworn that she would be foolish enough to try and fight back.
“Don’t be a fool, Zinnia.” Aiden spoke up.
“Listen to your boss, baby hunter.”
Her eyes darted across the room. Save for Aiden, who was more on our side now than hers, she was the only hunter present. She had to choose her words and actions carefully if she wanted to survive.
Her shoulders sagged. Even though she was clearly attempting to reel back her temper, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles had already grown white.
I smirked at her before glancing over at Aiden. He had a serious expression on his face, although I thought I saw a hint of amusement—perhaps even pride—behind his gaze. He nodded my way. I found myself missing my own father. It was probably wishful thinking on my part but I could swear that there was a trace of Gregor Novak in him. I turned toward Xavier.
The look Xavier was giving me knocked my breath away. His eyes bore into me with an intensity I’d never quite seen from him before. It was as if he saw me for the first time that day, his eyes moist with tears.
I gave him a curt nod even though I wanted to do so much more. I made a mental note to have a long, meaningful talk with him. He deserved that.
“Let’s go meet Natalie.” I broke the silence, trying to put my focus on work. I walked past Xavier, my arm brushing against his. The contact sent shivers down my spine. Dear heavens, Vivienne, what is happening to you? Get a grip.
As I walked on, ignoring the fact that I was keenly aware of his presence right behind me, I tried to push away the same truth I’d been denying for the past five centuries.
Xavier Vaughn had always had that effect on me.
We arrived at the room where Corrine was keeping Natalie. The rogue vampire was still unconscious. The Shade’s witch was sitting on a couch, cross-legged, sipping a warm drink. She made it look like everything in the world was just as it should be, which was the farthest thing from the truth.
“Corrine,” I acknowledged her.
“Princess,” she responded, eyeing me from head to foot before gazing at Xavier who was standing right behind me.
I could practically feel his eyes settled behind my neck.
Corrine smirked. “Tense, your highness?” She always had a way of making the title seem like an insult.
I kept my cool and perused her the same way she had me. “Hello to you too, Corrine. It’s nice to see someone here at The Shade can afford to remain relaxed.” I looked toward Natalie. “When will she wake?”
“Something’s different about you.” Corrine cocked her head to the side. “Your old fire… it’s back.”
I didn’t know how to respond so I just made my way toward Natalie, standing by her bedside. “Come on, Natalie,” I whispered. “Wake up.”