Undying Thirst (Crimson Coven #2)

35. Catalina

THIRTY-FIVE

catalina

“Eavesdropping, Cal?” Ren snapped and his hand wrapped around her throat. Blood formed under his fingernails. She gasped, her nails digging into his arm, leaving deep red lines behind.

“You’re in my house. What did you expect?” She wheezed.

“For you to be smart about how much more you could push me.” Ren smiled, but his eyes held no humor. I’d been on the receiving end of that look, and I didn’t wish it on anyone. Okay, maybe Calliope was one that did deserve it.

“I had to,” she choked out. “Tell you that I had some information.” The last part sounded jumbled.

“Mmm, information you say.” Ren smirked. “What do we think?” Was he talking to himself? I gawked, my hands sliding off Tobias’s chest.

“Let’s hear her out,” Tobias murmured. Jax just grunted.

“I say we kill her,” Asher announced.

Ren snorted and let her go. She dropped to her feet.

“This is my attempt to make peace with you, Ren. Don’t retaliate for . . .” she cleared her throat.

“Keeping me locked up past our agreed timeframe?” Ren raised an eyebrow. “Bringing us here? Your little show from earlier?”

“You agreed to it!”

“But I didn’t agree to be starved,” he hissed. Calliope flinched.

“I have information. That’s why I came looking for you lot.”

“Spill it,” Ren said, the deadly look in his eye not fading.

“But then we’re even.” Calliope slowly rose to her feet. Ren only stared.

Calliope sighed. “You’ve become just like our Sire.” She scratched her forehead. “There’s been talk at Saphire.”

“What’s new,” Asher said, inspecting his nails. Was he nudging dried blood from underneath them? I wrinkled my nose. “Everyone loves talking about us.”

“About her.” Calliope twitched her head toward me. “Questions about who she is. Where she’s from?—"

“Of course there are questions. She’s the first human we haven’t killed within a few hours,” Jax said oh so casually.

I gasped.

“Worry not, Pet. None of them mattered.” He smirked. “You should have seen the one that pissed Ren off for asking him to whisper sweet nothings in Japanese and he ‘accidently’ snapped her neck.” Asher’s air quotes didn’t make me feel good.

“You could chalk it up to how you guys have kept her, but there have been whispers about Wrenhaven talking to other Sires.”

“We’ve had no issues with them.” Tobias crossed his arms, stepping forward so we were side to side. “They have jurisdiction in half of Oregon.”

“They want to expand.”

Tobias scratched his chin.

“That’s why I invited Charles Foxbrooke and the Burrow Sire.” She lowered her voice and looked behind her. The noisiness from downstairs continued. “I heard they’ve been approached by Wrenhaven.”

Heaviness accumulated in my stomach. This all sounded too dangerous. If they were digging around about me . . . what if they discovered Peter’s existence? I swayed.

Jax’s arm curled around my waist. I clutched onto him, leaning all my weight against him. I wanted to ask but I would save it until we were safe and away from all vampires.

“You’re not fooling anyone. You’re playing both sides,” Ren drawled. Her eyes flicked to the side and she acted like she hadn’t heard him.

“That goes against the treaty.” Jax’s chest vibrated under my ear.

“They are not planning to go against anything. They want to catch one of you in a mistake, a slip up, some way in order to call a council.” She focused on me. “And they think this girl is the way to get to you.” I pressed tighter against Jax. His palm pressed into my spine.

“Such sweet devotion.” She sighed with a mocking smile. “Your human truly looooves you, doesn't she?” Her focus turned to me. “They won’t keep you long term. You should have taken my offer.” She clicked her teeth disappointedly.

“Ah. Yes, your offer. You want the ring so desperately you’ve orchestrated a plant in our house?” Jax scoffed.

Calliope scowled, obviously confused.

“No,” she said slowly. “When I found out she was staying with you, I hunted her down to threaten her.”

“Threaten her with what?” Asher said, tensing like he’d been hit.

“Your safety.” She waved her hand, encapsulating all the men with one motion. She sighed. “She did not take the bait.”

“She was protecting us,” Tobias said, head tilted as he focused on Calliope. She sighed and glared at the mind-reader.

“Leave them alone,” she cried out in a high-pitched voice. I scowled.

“I don’t sound like that,” I said through gritted teeth. Calliope rolled her eyes.

“You wanted to protect us?” Jax asked. His voice lowered with huskiness, with emotion.

“I would have never betrayed you guys. I said it.” Over and over. I almost added, but it seemed redundant.

“Calliope,” Ren said conversationally. He was then next to her, yanking her head back so her throat strained. “I’m going to rip your head off.”

She squalled. “I can be an asset. And I could have spread news far and wide that you have a human that is not able to be compelled, but I didn’t because I’m on your side, Ren.”

I should tell them about Alistair knowing, but this was definitely a bad time.

He scoffed and sucker punched her right in the mouth. Blood squirted from her lip and she yelped, clasping her face. Jax held me tighter than he’d ever held me before. His expression rippled and tensed. I could almost see cogs turning in his head.

“We should leave before the chase begins.”

“If you leave now, they will turn on you?—”

“You’ve said enough.” Ren sneered. She clamped her mouth shut.

“Calliope,” Freya called, echoing from down the hall. “They’re waiting for you.”

“Please, Ren, let me go.” He only stared. “I will tell you anything I overhear about what’s going on. It’s only a matter of time until they try to get me to join them.”

On my third breath, he let her go.

Calliope disappeared by my next blink.

Asher was suddenly in front of me, clasping my face between both palms.

“Yohr sqwuaging ma face.”

“I should have never doubted you, ?lskade .” His eyebrows furrowed and his lips twisted. “You may drain me or tie me to a bed post. Or not let me come for a year?—”

“No.” I tried yanking away.

Confusion flitted over his expression. “Do you require Jaxon’s apology, as well?” Asher turned to his twin who still pressed against my side and jerked his head down at me.

“Whatever apologies you have. Stuff them. They’re not enough.”

“Not . . . enough?” Asher’s frown deepened.

Was I speaking some fictional language he couldn’t understand? I scowled and yanked away from Asher’s grip so hard I would have hurt myself if he hadn’t let go.

“We can talk later. Let’s get this stupid game over with. I want to get back to Crimson Manor and soak in the bathtub.”

I looked at Tobias. He looked too serious.

“Tobias, she said it was not enough. I don’t understand.” Asher blinked, running his hand through his hair. “What do those human mindset book thingies tell you?”

“They’re studies, Asher. We have caused her stress and suffering. She does not owe us her forgiveness—according to what I’ve read.”

“But I want it.” A small wrinkle formed at the bridge of Asher’s nose. “Jax, too, even though he looks like he has a pole stuffed up his ass right now.”

I peeked at Jax under my eyelashes. Jax stared at me expressionless, too expressionless, but his palm had slid around my side and pressed to my belly.

Asher’s description was too accurate.

“None of you believed me,” I said and wiggled my jaw. “Let me go.” I elbowed Jax in the chest until he finally released me.

I fixed my dress back in place.

“Am I going to be expected to play this game like this?” I waved a hand down at my dress and heels.

“You will not be participating.” Jax crossed his arms.

“You guys can’t have more of a target on you. You were all right. You need to treat me like your blood-whore. They can’t be wondering more about me. They can’t?—”

“Catalina, breathe.” Tobias cupped my jaw. My chest tightened painfully.

“What if they find out about Peter?” I whispered so low it was practically only the movement of my lips. “No. I’d rather die.” I lifted my chin, setting it stubbornly. “I can do it,” I said and licked my lips. “I am doing it,” I repeated, stubbornly.

“You don’t even know what it is,” Jax snapped. “Chased through the forest, with nothing to guide your way. The losing Coven Sires execute their Pet or blood-whore, whichever they choose to enter.”

I struggled with pushing out my sentence. “So, we don’t lose.”

“The winners fuck in front of everyone.”

I froze with my mouth open.

“Oh.” I wilted.

A thick knot formed in my throat. Exhibitionism wasn’t my thing. My face was already burning bright red. I stared at the carpet.

“Breathe,” Tobias clasped my shoulder.

“I volunteer myself?—”

“No. It can’t be you, Asher. You fuck her like you can’t control yourself. Half the fucking people here have seen you screwing, and they will be able to determine the difference. Tobias is out, too. I must speak with the Burrow’s Sire.” Ren looked at Jax.

“No,” I croaked.

Jax sighed and rubbed his head. “I will take care of her.”

A burst of laughter escaped. Shock, fear, and adrenaline melded into a big ball in my gut.

My mind needed to get busy asap.

“And I thought Asher flirting with all the women was bad.” A burst of laughter escaped and I clamped my lips shut.

Asher’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smirk. Probably knew I’d lose it on him right now.

“Catalina, I was investigating.”

I huffed and turned away. Tobias had disappeared at some point.

“You looked very cozy investigating .”

He chuckled and I whipped my head in his direction. His face was smooth again. I huffed. Tobias re-entered the entertainment room.

“Let’s go. All the contestants have been chosen. The chase is about to start.” Tobias turned to leave again. Ren filed out next and I moved slowly forward, watching my feet.

My nerves were going to do me in. At least the task was a running one. I was good at running away even if my lungs struggled sometimes. I sank my teeth into my lower lip.

“You will be protected at all times. Jax will not let anything happen to you. None of us will. You are ours.” Asher watched me steadily. He was trying to make me feel better. At least that much I could acknowledge.

“Thank you,” I muttered.

“No worries,” Asher swung his arm over my shoulder. “You can suck my cock later to show me your gratitude.” He winked.

I sighed, shaking my head.