Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 119694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Of course, the Eye shows her with the tell-tale glow—the blood-red aura around her full, curvy body. But I need to be absolutely sure. If so, my Curvy Queen will be incredibly rare and valuable. The Sanguis Vita is almost impossible to find, even with a high-powered magical artifact like the Crimson Eye. It only shows on those who have it in abundance, as I’m hoping Julia does.
Speaking of the Eye, I feel the itch to use it again—the urge to check in on her and see her radiant beauty. The obsidian depths of the cursed mirror call to me, whispering about watching her, seeing how she moves…what she’s doing…
“No!” I mutter, clenching my fists. Every time I use the Eye, my Blood Lust increases and it can’t be quenched any more by my usual donors. They’re all too weak—too skinny. Their thin, pale blood can’t sustain me—I need a woman with the Sanguis Vita in her blood.
I’ve paid a heavy toll to find this little human—but once I get her here in the Shadow Realm, it will all be worth it. I’ll bring her pleasure over and over—it will increase the Sanguis Vita in her blood, making it stronger every time she comes.
I can just picture it now, caressing her full curves as I sink my fangs into her neck. Hearing her moan my name as her sweet life-giving blood flows into my mouth—
A sharp rapping at my office door makes me turn.
“Who is it?”
“My Lord, it’s the coyote—the Realm-Hopper. He’s returned from his errand.” The voice belongs to Bartholomew, my second in command and the Underboss of our syndicate.
My heart tightens in my chest. In just a moment I’ll know for sure.
“Let him come in.” I go to sit behind my desk, clenching my hands together to keep them from roaming restlessly. I hope like Hell that her blood is pure—that I can taste the traces of the Sanguis Vita in it. If not…
I don’t finish the thought because the door to my office opens and Whistler walks in. Bounces in might be a better way to put it—the male can’t stand still for an instant.
“Your Fanginess.” He makes an elaborate bow to me but I have no time for his foolishness. I wouldn’t put up with it if he wasn’t the best Hopper in the Shadow Realm.
“Her blood—did you get it?” I demand.
“Of course. As requested.” He pulls a small cooler from under his arm and sets it in the middle of my desk.
Quickly, I open the cooler and withdraw the vial. It’s filled with rich crimson liquid. I start to unscrew the cap and put it to my lips…then I hesitate. This moment is to be savored.
I reach into a desk drawer and pull out a fine crystal goblet. Setting it on my desk, I open the vial and pour the contents into the goblet. There’s a faint, iridescent sparkle to the crimson liquid that gives me hope.
I bring it to my nose and inhale deeply—Gods, what a scent! The rich yet delicate perfume of her blood tantalizes all my senses. My fangs grow long and sharp. At the same time, my cock goes rock-hard, straining against the zipper of my trousers.
Fuck, I want her.
But there’s only one way to be completely sure.
I bring the goblet to my mouth and take a sip. A flavor like wildflowers and ocean salt slips like silk across my tongue. At once I feel my Blood Lust ease. Just a little but after being tormented for years, any small reduction is a welcome relief.
I feel vitality filling me as well. Of course, only fresh blood straight from the source will really heal me, but even this small sample is enough to let me know Julia is the one I seek.
“It’s good, right?” Across from me, Whistler, who I had completely forgotten about, bounces up and down on his toes. “She’s the one, right? I can see it in your face. She’s the one.”
I frown at him. Any other male would be terrified to speak so casually to me—I could rip out his throat with my fangs in a heartbeat. But Whistler is either too stupid or too sure of himself to be afraid.
“She’s the one,” I confirm at last. “Are you certain you can bring her across?”
He cocks an eyebrow at me.
“Ain’t I the best damn Hopper in all the Shadow Realm? Of course I can bring her across.”
“Without the Magistrate seeing?” I press him. “After all, you’ll have to bring her through the Nocturne Gates right in the middle of the Central Hub.”
“You let me worry about the Magistrate, your Fanginess,” he says, nodding wisely. “I’ve got a glamour that’ll do the trick, so I do. Got it off a Fae wisewoman in the Briar Court, so I did. It’s a good one too—she’ll look like any other blood slave when I bring her through.”