Chapter 38 #2
“Oh, trust me, I’m going to.” Quinn grins, caging me in against the island as he leans in towards me.
“Care to join me, Angel?” His lips find mine effortlessly and I chase after the taste of blood on his tongue.
As if to reiterate his point, he grinds his hips against me, showing just how turned on the moment between me and Aamon has him.
“Evangeline!” The booming voice has me jumping, pulling away from Quinn as fast as possible and scrambling to get out of his arms. I turn towards the entrance of the kitchen, wiping my thumb and forefinger over my lips to get rid of the evidence of our kiss.
Andras is there, Laurel under his arm, with a wicked grin settled across his lips. “It’s so good to see you up and about.” His eyes flick over to Quinn, who’s rubbing the back of his neck, a smirk teasing his lips.
I scowl at him, tempted to elbow him in the ribs, but instead I clear my throat and focus back on Andras. “Yes, I—seem to be feeling much better.”
He nods, pleased with the news. I haven’t seen him since my first day here. I knew I was bound to run into him again, especially now that he’s my new Alpha. But I’d hoped to have more time to prepare. Or at least not be mid make-out with one of his Blood Order members when I did.
“Thank you,” I say quickly, fidgeting from side to side. “For everything you’ve done for me.” I gesture around vaguely. I hate feeling like I’m trying to curry favor with him, but at this point it would do me better to be on his good side rather than try to keep fighting his influence.
“Nonsense!” His voice boasts through the kitchen and I flinch at the volume. “You’re one of us now, after all. Yes?” He lowers his gaze, raising an eyebrow. And while it’s meant to be comforting, the statement feels like a challenge. Like some hidden threat is laced in the spaces between his words.
I blink, nodding hastily when I realize he’s waiting for a reply.
“Laurel filled me in on all the dirty details about last night’s affairs." His eyes flick over to Aamon, then back to me. Heat stains my cheeks as I clench my fists. But I force myself to remain calm. He must mean Aamon turning me. And the being bloodbound. Not the . . . other stuff.
“And from what she shares with me, we hope you’ll continue to get better the more Arcane blood you continue to consume.
” He gestures down to the discarded bloodbag behind Quinn.
“Seems that father of yours just didn’t know how to properly care for his offspring.
All you needed was a bit of blood and the power of the Arcane to feel good as new.
” He winks at me, an unsettling chill creeping over my skin.
“Now, if you ladies would excuse us, I have some Order business to discuss before tonight.”
“Tonight?” I ask, brows knitting together in confusion.
“You mean, the boys haven’t told you?” Andras laughs, looking from Quinn to Aamon with an air of disappointment. “Come on now, boys. What kind of hosts are we being?”
“I hadn’t planned to bring her tonight.” Aamon’s voice is low from where he's leaning against the sink behind me. But I can tell there’s an edge to his words. “She did almost die yesterday.” His eyes rise slowly to meet Adras’. “After all.”
Andras seems to mull this over for a moment, or at least feigns concern. “Laurel? What do you think, my love?”
“I can evaluate her, Aamon. Make sure everything seems stable enough. If you wish for her to accompany you tonight.”
“Accompany you where?” I repeat myself, more demanding this time. Which seems to amuse Andras.
“Quite the spirit in this one, isn’t there?
Perhaps she would make a good addition to the Blood Order.
” He chuckles, the only sound in the room as Aamon and Quinn tense.
Even Laurel seems a little rigid. “The full moon, my dear. It’s Esbat,” Andras clarifies at last. “A night of celebration. It’s tradition for the Blood Order to spend every full moon within the Market Ebon. Amongst our people.”
“As a reminder to the ungoverned district to stay in line,” Quinn continues for him.
“To keep the Arcane-touched subdued during their most powerful night of the month,” Aamon corrects. I swallow, unaware it was already time for the full moon.
“Now boys, you’re scaring the poor creature.
” Andras tsks, dropping his arm wrapped around Laurel and stepping up to me.
He takes my hand in his. “See? The girl’s practically shaking.
I promise, it’s nothing to fear. We treat it as one large ritualistic party—drinks, music, dancing.
Celebrating the magic that flows through our veins. It’s a night of indulgence!”
He pulls me forward, settling his hand against my back and walking me towards the entrance to the kitchen.
“Stay close to the Blood Order and I promise you will have nothing to worry about.” He passes me off to Laurel and she offers me a friendly grin, taking my hand and guiding me to the common area.
“I know it can feel intimidating, but Andras is right. If you stick with Aamon and Quinn, you’ll be fine.” She settles me on the couch, taking a seat beside me so that our knees are touching.
I nod, but my curiosity gets the better of me. “This Esbat—this night of indulgence—what should I expect?”
Laurel raises an eyebrow as she starts assessing me.
“Honestly? A bunch of drunk assholes trying to out-Alpha each other.” She rolls her eyes and I have to stifle the giggle that bubbles up.
“It’s nothing too crazy. But the people of the ungoverned district are filled with incredulous power.
We don’t believe as your kind does.” I flinch at her words.
She offers me an apologetic smile before continuing.
“That the Arcane is inherently evil or that that power should be oppressed. But that doesn’t mean that everyone within our territory is inherently good, either.
So it’s best to stay with those that can guide you through the festivities. ”