Flesh And Blood: House of Comarre: Book Two (House of Comarre 2) Painter, Kristen (historical books to read txt) 📖

With scowling eyes, Octavian clicked his heels together and headed upstairs. She hated Lord Ivan’s treatment of her pet. Octavian was hers to command.

Lord Ivan turned back to Tatiana. ‘I shall be taking your car and going into the city. They say Americans are the other white meat.’ He laughed wickedly. ‘I intend to find out. I’ll expect progress when I return.’

‘Yes, my lord.’ There would be progress, but not the kind he’d expected. Pompous old fool. She happily watched him leave, then gave Nasir the sweetest smile she could manage. No point in tipping him off. ‘I’m so glad you’re back. I missed you terribly.’

His dark brows lifted. ‘You did?’

‘Of course.’ She swatted him playfully on the arm. ‘Let me go deal with the Nothos, then I’ll meet you upstairs and show you just how much.’

His face went positively electric. ‘I’ll be waiting.’

‘Preferably on the bed and undressed?’

He laughed. ‘That’s my girl.’ He kissed her and dashed up the stairs, passing Octavian on the way down. Anger contorted her manservant’s face. Sweet Hades, she adored that kine far more than was prudent.

She put a finger to her lips and shook her head, indicating he shouldn’t say anything out of line. ‘Show me where the Nothos are.’

He led her to the guesthouse, where the gruesome beasts were already destroying what their brothers hadn’t. A few of them paused to train their yellow eyes on Octavian.

‘Food?’ the closest one asked, coming closer to the kine. Octavian ducked behind her.

‘No,’ she snarled. Malformed idiots. ‘Pay attention.’ She pulled the scrap of fabric from Malkolm’s jacket out of her pocket and held it aloft. ‘Trace this scent to the vampire it belongs to, then follow him until his path crosses that of the comarré your useless brothers couldn’t track down. Bring her back to me alive. Understood? Not half dead. Not partially devoured. Alive.’

Heads nodded in unison. One sneezed, spraying mucus across his brothers. Bloody hell, they were repulsive creatures. ‘If you cannot capture the girl without fighting, then don’t. I need you alive as well. Come back and get me and I’ll take her alive. Any breach of my instructions and I will personally hunt you down and disembowel you.’ Filthy beasts.

She tossed the fabric into their gathered midst. They descended upon it like the ravening beasts they were. ‘Octavian, open the door and get behind it.’

He nodded, his gaze never leaving the Nothos. As soon as he was protected, she shouted, ‘Go!’ and pointed out the door.

The Nothos streamed into the night, whining and chuffing, their clawed hands and feet tearing up the flooring and leaving gouges in the cobblestone drive. The last one melted into the dark like a wisp of smoke.

‘It’s safe now.’

Octavian came out from behind the door. ‘I cannot abide those creatures.’

‘No one can. But they serve a purpose.’ She looked around. Lamps lay shattered, sofas upended, curtains shredded. They were creatures of destruction, true to their twisted roots.

He sniffed. ‘I will do what I can to straighten things, my lady.’

‘Don’t bother.’ She stared at him, studying the man she saw before her. The time was right. Perhaps overdue. ‘I have a much more important task for you.’

‘My lady?’

She held out her hand to him. ‘I need you to die.’

Creek stayed away from Chrysabelle’s for almost two and a half days, just to be sure Argent wasn’t hovering nearby. No matter what power this ring had, no matter if she chose to give it up or keep it, Creek wanted her safe.

Sunset was still a few hours away, guaranteeing he’d have time alone with her.

Chrysabelle had put his name on her visitor list, something the gate guard confirmed with a quick ID check. At her estate’s private entrance, the security cam scanned his face, then the gate opened and let him through. He parked opposite her front door.

As he walked up, the door opened. Chrysabelle wasn’t as alone as he’d thought she was. Behind Velimai, an enormous, ebony-skinned man stood in the doorway. Sweat covered his shaved head and his eyes flashed gold. Feline varcolai. This was new. The man stepped in front of the wysper. ‘I got this.’

The fae nodded and left.

Creek studied the varcolai. ‘Chrysabelle here?’

‘Who are you?’ The man’s gaze swept him from head to toe and back.

‘Creek. She knows me. And you?’

‘Yeah, she knows me, too. What’s your business?’ He rolled one muscle-rounded shoulder. His hands were taped like he’d just stepped out of a boxing ring. Judging from his sweaty T-shirt, maybe he had.

‘My business is with Chrysabelle.’ Creek squared his body and narrowed his eyes. No one intimidated a KM.

‘Hey,’ a female voice called out. ‘You coming back up or are you tired of me whaling on you?’ At least he knew Chrysabelle was home now.

The black man looked off to the left. ‘Man here says he has business with you. Name’s Creek.’

‘Be right there.’ And a few moments later, a flushed and glowing Chrysabelle appeared. Her white tank top was sheer with perspiration, showing her sports bra beneath it. The gleam of sweat on her skin set her signum on fire. She pushed tendrils of hair off her face with one forearm and wiped her forehead with the other. Her hands were taped just like the varcolai’s.

‘It’s okay, Doc.’ She patted his arm. Maybe Doc was some kind of trainer. ‘Hit the shower if you want. That’s enough for today.’

Doc grunted, gave Creek a look of pure warning, and disappeared into the house.

Creek waited a few seconds longer to be sure he was gone. ‘I don’t know how you stand all that friendly.’

Chrysabelle smiled. ‘Doc’s a great guy. He’s just been a little on edge lately. What brings you by?’

‘I need to talk to you about something. Can I come in?’

‘Can’t stop you, can I?’ She moved to let him in. ‘It’s not like you’re a vampire.’

Not by a long shot. ‘I won’t come in if you don’t