Bound by Blood by Elizabeth Valentino

Author:Elizabeth Valentino
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2010-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

My mind rushes in chaotic torrents, trying to come up with a solution. I need to find a portal into the Dark realm, but I can’t bring myself to ask Bryce to damn his species. I sought refuge on the roof, but now I’m cursing the sun for existing. The folds of my coat feel like they’re closing in on me, consuming me. I need to focus on my purpose; I guess this will be as good a place as any to embrace the full moon tomorrow. It’s a long flat expanse. The leering gargoyles along the edge of the roof even lend a clichéd gothic atmosphere. Sudden fatigue sinks in, making me feel ancient. I need a moment to rest. Sitting, I let my booted legs dangle over the edge, silently cursing Zirna and her brilliant idea.

It’ll take a miracle of epic proportions for this to work. I know I should at least tell Bryce what our options are. It’s the right thing to do. I think. The phone in my pocket beeps to let me know it’s almost out of batteries. That’s fine with me. I don’t need any more good news today.

“What are you doing up here, princess?”

Bryce’s voice washes over me and wraps around me like a warm blanket. I can’t face him right now. I just need a few more minutes to regroup and shake off my despair. “Just thinking. I haven’t really had a moment to absorb everything that’s happened since you tried to maul me.”

Bryce settles onto the roof beside me. “It’s been an action-packed couple of days, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed it has.” Giving into a moment of temptation, I let my head rest against Bryce’s shoulder.

“I got you some clothes that fit. I think you’ll like the shirt.” Bryce laughs.

I take the clothes and shake out the shirt. “Oh my god, Bryce, is this your idea of a joke?” I chuckle. It says Bite Me in blood-spattered lettering flanked by a nice set of vampire fangs.

“I thought it was fitting.” Bryce strokes a finger down my face. “Why so sad?”

“I just laughed. What makes you think I’m sad?” Damn it, I thought I was doing a good job of hiding it.

“I can see it on your face, princess. Does this have anything to do with Anica?”

“Why should that bother me?”

“I want to hear the truth,” Bryce whispers roughly as he pulls me into his lap.

“Fine. Yes. I don’t like her or the claim she thinks she has on you. The bitch doesn’t even love you.” Jesus, I need to learn to keep my mouth closed.

Bryce chuckles into my hair. “She doesn’t like you either. She saw the fang marks on me and went berserk. I still don’t think she believes I didn’t do the nasty with you.”

“The nasty? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“Yeah, I guess so. What does an old experienced woman call it?”

I punch Bryce in the arm. “We call it good old-fashioned fucking.”

“Way to be delicate.

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