Vengeance (The Prince's Games Book 1) Rebecca Grey (first e reader txt) 📖

I glance down at his palm hanging in the air between us. Sucking on my teeth I put my hand in his. "I'm agreeing, but I'm not going to say that I like the idea. And if anyone on my team finds out, I'll gut you."

"I would hope that you would." Davison keeps a hold of my hand and brings it up to his lips, placing a kiss on my knuckles. My face falls slack as he leaves a kiss for me, dropping my hand and backing away into the crowd until I can no longer see him.

I hold my knuckles, trying to remember if anyone had ever done that to me before. It was almost like a sign of respect. I rub my fingertips across every dip and scar on my hand, letting my body get absorbed into the crowd as I step into any available space until I'm front of the line.

There should be some sort of remorse in my body for my actions. No, maybe not remorse... but disappointment in myself for my blatant disregard for my own safety? There isn't. I feel nothing. If anything, I'm happy I had the chance to slap the king, even if I wasn't able to complete my task. I'll deal him much worse when the time arises.

The elevator doors open and chime. I lift my foot moving to usher myself inside with the intention of hitting the button that closes the doors quickly, but a shoulder knocks into me as the Hybrids start to make their way around me as if I'm not even standing there. I grit my teeth, pushing my way forward with them. A large hand with curling dark hair presses into my chest, pushing me back as a half-turned wolf shoves me away.

"Fucking hell," I knock his hand away and his toothy snarl echoes in the large room around us.

"Find another elevator, Purist."

A small Dwarf not too far ahead nods along. "We shouldn't have to be subjected to riding in the same elevator as that thing."

Embarrassment and rage darken my skin. I've come to expect this, but it still cuts every time I hear it. Once I would have shrunk back from the remarks and hidden behind Arron. Perhaps tonight I'd used Marcello in the same way. I don't have either of them now. I don't need either of them.

Before the glass doors can shut, I shove my arm between them as I'd seen Marcello do. They bounce back open and every pair of Hybrid eyes turns to me. With my opposite hand, I snatch the chain up from around the Dwarf's neck.

"What are you—" His necklace, with a large gaudy jewel, snaps behind his head and I toss it to the floor behind me. It skitters to the line of waiting Hybrids. He's my best bet, since Dwarf reflexes are on par with mine. "That's a family heirloom!" He shrieks, hustling back out into the lobby.

I take his spot inside the cramped elevator, hitting the button for floor six and then quickly the button that will close the doors with me inside. The man’s face turns the same red hue of his hair as he watches the elevator lift.

“You shouldn’t be subjected to riding in the same elevator as me.” I say with no emotion.

Hands intertwine into my hair, yanking my head back. Rough lips brush against my cheek. "Bad move, Human."

Pressure digs under my ribs in a quick jab. An elbow delivers the blow that knocks the wind clear from my lungs. My body tries to double over, but the Elf with his hands in my hair holds my upright as I groan.

"Anyone want a bite?" The accented voice laughs. The carry of his words is familiar and I finally tear my gaze up to his face. Mavi. "It's a shame I don't fancy Humans much, though I must say seeing you with Marcello makes me want you in some strange way."

"Don't let little ol' me get in the way of whatever shitstorm of a family rivalry you two have going on." I grimace at him as the elevator doors open and close, letting out some of the press of bodies keeping us all so close. I laugh, though it ends in a breathy wheeze and my rib cage aches.

I stare back at his blue eyes and his face splitting grin. He's young for an Elf, as young as Marcello, I'd guess. He licks his lips, his attention falling to my own before he looks away from my face and to the Vampire who picks up my wrist.

"Should I drain her?" The man asks. I roll my eyes, earning myself a smirk from Mavi.

"No," the Elf says slowly, "but just enough to make her weak."

The Vampire wastes no time, knowing our elevator ride is short. I don't even believe that he could drain me before it comes to a stop again and I throw myself out. Two fangs break my skin and the Vampire moans against me, drinking quickly. I can feel the tug as blood is sucked from my veins.

"I thought you weren't supposed to hurt the other competitors until the Games start tomorrow?" I inch my hand toward the slit of my skirt.

"I'm a sucker for breaking the rules I guess."

The rest of the Hybrids in the elevator chuckle at that. All of them content to watch as they prey on me. Letting them feel like they've got one up on me makes me look small, weak even, but if I make the pain into pleasure, I've become the one wielding the power again.

"How did you know..." My breathing hitches as the Vampire takes a particularly deep drink of blood. I look to the screen where the numbers tick up as we pass another floor, the next stop is mine. "How did you