Chapter 56
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule fifty-six: If you’re going to kill someone, do it somewhere private, just in case your partner wants to fuck you in a pool of their blood.
Bodies bump against us as we make our way through the dancers. The crowd is a writhing tangle of limbs, and I focus on the warmth of Sin’s hand in mine, so I don’t think too hard about how everyone is pressing in.
I’m clutching my skirts behind me, so that I don’t accidentally trip someone, when a hand brushes against my wrist, causing it to tingle. Looking over my shoulder, I expect to see one of my friends, but only find more dancers.
They don’t pay us any mind, other than a few who raise their glasses to us in passing.
I frown, but just as we reach the doorway, something catches my eye.
There’s a flash of red hair, quickly dodging through dancers, in the opposite direction.
“Sin, wait!” Someone calls, and my attention snaps back to Sin.
We step outside the throne room, and I spot a woman striding over to us. She’s wearing a sheer white gown, and her long dark hair hangs loosely around her shoulders.
She doesn’t spare me a glance. Instead, she smiles at Sin with a hungry expression.
I can’t help but think that red splatters would really elevate her look.
But then I remember the violent thoughts are probably not wise to listen to, just in case they’re stemming from the whole soul thing.
Shame.
“I was hoping we could catch up tonight. We’ve barely spent any time together,” she pouts as she reaches us, batting her eyelashes at him.
Sin tenses and presses closer to me. “That won’t be happening. I spend time with my mate.”
There’s no warmth in his tone. At the same time, his voice curls through my mind, “You’re so fucking pretty when you’re murderous, kitten.”
She finally looks my way, and I’m shocked when I recognize her. She’s one of the freed prisoners who was able to apparate to the Shadow Realm without blacking out.
Something twists in my gut. Whoever this is, she’s close to either Morgana or Sin.
“I’m sure she could spare you for a few hours,” she coaxes, dismissing me to give him a heated look.
Purple energy crackles over my skin, and Sin does nothing to diffuse it.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced yet. Who are you?” I ask, and my voice sounds strained from trying to keep the energy at sub-apocalyptic levels.
Her eyes widen, and she gives me a blatantly fake innocent look. “Oh? Didn’t Sin talk about me? I was working as a spy for Morgana.” Her lips curl into a twisted smile as she adds, “Sin and I used to fuck, like all the time. Until, of course, I was captured. Thanks for the out, by the way.”
Maybe I can put her back in a cell? That’s not too murdery.
“You had a girlfriend?” I ask Sin, frowning.
Not that I’d have a right to be upset if he did, but everyone made it sound like he never dated.
The woman I’m very quickly starting to despise is quick to answer, “Fates, no. Sin would never settle for only one woman. His appetites are far too voracious. Does he do that thing with you? The one where you dress all in white, so he can chase you through the forest and fuck you into the dirt.”
Something dark and ugly grows within me.
“I’m fucking mated, Mindy. So, whatever you’re trying to do? Don’t. You were a good spy, and Morgana would hate to see you go,” Sin snaps back.
But instead of looking worried, her lashes lower as she slinks a step closer. “I’ve always liked it when you use that tone. You could chase us both, at the same time, if you’d prefer.”
I count to ten.
The crackling along my skin grows hotter.
“No,” Sin growls. “Now apologize to my mate before I fucking end you. And you’d better pray that she’ll let you keep breathing.”
Mindy rolls her eyes and gives a soft giggle. “Right, right. Appearances. I’ve had arrangements like this before – men who don’t want their mates to know. I’ll find you later, and don’t worry, I’ll keep the dress on. I know how much you like to tear them o–”
A rivulet of blood spills from her mouth, choking off her words. The red liquid dribbles down, and her eyes widen with shock as she stares down at her stomach.
It’s currently holding my dagger.
I expect my conscience to chime in, but nothing happens.
Maybe it’s on its union-mandated break or something.
Figuring I should make the best of it, I embrace my newfound murderous tendencies. “Sorry, to confirm, you’re immortal, right?” I ask, tilting my head curiously.
She opens her mouth to say something, only to choke on more blood.
Sin kisses my temple. “She’ll heal, kitten.”
His answer sends another bolt of anger flashing through me. My dress drags through the blood pooling at her feet as I stalk forward and shove her against the wall.
“Then I guess I’ll need to use an immortal-killing blade,” I hiss, grinning as I yank my dagger from her flesh.
Her injury begins to close, and her eyes widen. “You fucking crazy–”
My dagger sinks into her voice box, and the tip of the blade embeds into the wall.
It’s highly effective, managing to shut her up and pin her in place, all at once.
I love this for me.
Mindy makes a faint gurgling noise, and I realize she’s trying to yell at me, but can’t because my dagger is still snuggled up to her larynx.
Briefly, I wonder why she doesn’t just pull it out, until I spot the glowing red ropes binding her arms to the wall.
Sin is helping.
The sight fills me with fuzzy warmth and reminds me of that old saying, ‘couples who slay together, stay together.’
I’m sure I heard someone’s grandma say that once.
Sin presses against my back, and his lips drag across my neck. “If you kill her, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from fucking you in her blood,” he notes mildly, before biting the spot he loves to mark.
My breath catches as I picture Sin bathed in Mindy’s blood, his muscles rippling as he thrusts into me. It sends a shiver pulsing through me, and I pretend the ache between my legs doesn’t exist.
While I’m very tempted, I have other plans. If I’m going to let this woman live, I’m at least going to give her a permanent reminder that Sin is off limits.
Silver Reaper threads wrap around my wrist, reaching for the bracelet hidden beneath my skin.
Nothing happens.
I frown for a second before going rigid.
“What is it?” Sin asks.
“My bracelet. You know, the one I’m borrowing? It’s gone,” I answer, trying to sound more casual than I feel.
Was I just robbed?
“Wow! Mindy, I really like what you’ve done with your face. Huge improvement,” Arianna exclaims.
I glance over and find her standing just outside the doors, grinning like we’ve just taken up her favorite hobby.
She doesn’t bother asking what Mindy has done to piss me off, and I already know she won’t.
“Have you seen Magnus by any chance? Him, Damien, and Varian went all crazy a second ago and stormed away before I could ask what was wrong,” she asks, looking down each end of the hall.
“Stop being nosy. Magnus can handle himself,” Sin says, instead of answering.
Arianna huffs, and the shadows in the room grow a fraction.
I give her an apologetic smile. “No, sorry. But I’ve been a bit distracted. Do you want help looking for them?” I ask, ignoring the person I have impaled against the wall.
The shadows pull back a bit, and Arianna sighs, “No, no, it’s okay,” she pauses, looking back at Mindy, “I never liked her. Did you want me to dispose of her?”
Turning back to the woman in question, I’m met with dark eyes that burn with the promise of murder.
I smile back brightly, the crackling power that was threatening to overtake me now mostly quieted. “It’s your lucky day, Mindy!”
There’s a bubbled gasp as I wrench the dagger from her throat. The injury immediately starts to heal, but instead of releasing her, I squeeze her cheeks, forcing her mouth open.
She immediately starts to struggle, only for red ropes to appear around her neck.
There isn’t an ounce of guilt in me when I meet her glare.
“I could kill you, right now. But I’m going to let you live – not because I’m merciful.
In fact, if you ever come near Sin again, it will be the last thing you do.
No,” I note, breaking into a sweet smile.
“I’m sending you with a message, since I assume there are more of you that he used to fuck. Now, stick out your tongue.”
When she doesn’t comply, I reach into her mouth and pull it out. Before she can blink, my dagger slices through the soft flesh, cutting out her tongue.
The dark urges inside me rejoice as she screams, more blood spilling down her dress.
Sin grips my hips, and I can feel him growing hard against me. Red light pulses in her mouth before the ropes holding her dissipate.
“I’m making sure it takes decades to grow back,” he purrs in my mind.
Mindy slumps against the wall, sobbing as she clutches her mouth.
I tilt my head, still staring at her. “Run, Mindy, before I change my mind.”
Not needing to be told twice, she sprints away, leaving behind a fresh trail of blood.
Once she rounds the corner, I turn to smile at Arianna. “No need to dispose, but would you mind making sure she leaves the Council grounds?”
Her eyes immediately become pools of darkness, and she looks overjoyed as she stares down the hall.
The effect is low-key terrifying.
“Gladly. Cerberus needs a walk, anyhow. We’re going to have so much fun!” She exclaims and then skips through the trail of blood.
“Thank you!” I call after her, thankful my psychotic friend is on our side.
The moment we’re alone again, Sin steps forward, crowding me against the wall. He licks a path up the side of my neck. “Have I mentioned how fucking hot it is when you get angry?”
I let out a breathless laugh, even as I press back into him. “I think you just like seeing me jealous.”
He lets out a low growl, grinding his dick against my ass. “I like seeing you claim me, kitten. I’m fucking yours. And if you don’t stop feeling so turned on, I’m going to lift that pretty dress and take you against this wall until you scream loud enough to remind everyone here that you’re mine.”
His teeth sink into my neck, just hard enough to tease, and it sends jolts of pleasure coursing directly between my thighs.
“Bedroom,” I hiss.
“Again? You’re both worse than animals,” a familiar, authoritative voice calls out.
I freeze, but Sin drags his teeth against my neck one more time before slowly turning to look at Ragna.
She seems both exasperated and unimpressed, standing in the hallway with her arms crossed.
“Ragna, we wanted to talk–” I start, but she turns on her heel and starts striding away.
Something pulses against my skin, everywhere Sin is touching, and there’s a brief flash of red.
“We aren’t discussing it here, so keep your Destroyer power in your pants,” she snaps without bothering to look back at us.
“It’s like she has eyes behind her head,” I mutter, as Sin and I move to follow her.
“I heard that,” she says flatly, stepping into a room only a few doors down.
We follow her into a small office, and Sin shuts the door behind us. There are a few chairs, a desk in one corner, and something that looks like a complicated version of a piano against the far wall.
Despite the dim lighting of the sconces, the room is cast in a deep red glow as Sin’s powers surge.
Ragna doesn’t react and waits for us in the center of the room, still looking annoyed.
“My turn, kitten,” Sin notes quietly, before kissing me on the head and stalking forward.
Butterflies dance in my stomach.
“Ragna, something about you has bothered me ever since you asked to meet with me and Morgana. There’s been something off, and I’m out of patience. You’re hiding things – things about my mate.” His voice is menacing.
Content to watch, I take a seat in one of the chairs, enthralled by this deadlier side of him. The sharp edges of my soul sing, feeling like wind whistling over a blade.
Ragna only looks more exasperated. “As endearing as this little show of protection is, it’s not needed. I am not your enemy. I have been trying to protect Vivian since the moment she arrived here.”
“How?” I ask, trying not to scoff.
Sure, she helped me at the potion room. But before that? I don’t think giving me judging looks counts as help.
Ragna raises a brow at me. “Every single shifter in this castle knew you were mated the moment you stepped inside. We can smell it. I could have told Need your secret at any point. But I didn’t. Instead, I ordered every last shifter to keep their mouth shut.”
“And they just blindly listened? No. Not even a realm leader has that much power. So, what the fuck aren’t you telling us?” Sin presses, now sounding even more suspicious.
Ragna gives him a wolfish grin, showing all her teeth.
I shove out of my chair, ready to annihilate her if she tries to hurt Sin.
The red glow in the room deepens.
“Trying to read my thoughts? Go ahead and try,” she all but growls. “The shifters listen to my orders, not because I am their leader, but because I am their god.”
Power echoes through the room as she says the word, making the hair on my arms stand on end.
Sin looks thunderstruck as he slowly shakes his head. He pulls back his power, and the room is once again cast in dim golden light.
“Find what you were looking for?” She asks, mildly.
Rather than answering, Sin scowls at her, storming over to wrap a protective arm around me. “How fucking could you?” He growls out the accusation.
Ragna raises a brow, not bothering to respond.
I clear my throat. “So… that’s it? We’re backing down because she’s a god? Goddess?”
It feels like I’ve missed something important.
“No, Vivian. Your Destroyer is backing down because he’s satisfied that I’m not a threat to you,” Ragna corrects.
I’m still watching Sin. His face is pale, and my anxiety creeps higher.
The volatile power inside me gives a small crack. “But not because she’s a goddess?”
He turns to face me, and there’s a fierce anger in his eyes. “No, kitten. Because she’s your Aunt.”