Page 299 of Sorrow & Strangers

I glare at him, my lower lip protruding in a small pout.

He pinches my chin. “If we burned this entire realm to the ground and left her a throne of ash, would that please you?”

“Forget it,” I say petulantly. “Let’s go back.”

“And if your realm still existed? If you were surrounded by enemies, would you ask the same of me?” the stranger growls.

I frown.

“Would you turn me loose on your people? Those who would dare to stand in your way? Stopping you from taking what’s yours?” he asks, and then a scene plays in my head, one put there by him. It’s of an ancient battle, soldiers choking on dust. A male wearing all-black armor with white runes on one hand stands on a knoll, overlooking the carnage. The image is terrifying, and I can practically feel the familiar power radiating off him. The stranger’s power.

My hands rest on his chest. “Would you do it? If I asked?”

He nods, the memory fading to nothing.

“I’m desperate for you to kiss me . . .” I say, my lips parting.

He dips his head, his mouth hovering over mine. “A shame we agreed to no kissing,” he whispers, his breath teasing at my lips. I moan softly, digging my nails into his chest.

A door opens down the alleyway, and we both tense. There are at least two vampires, and it sounds like they are walking toward us. I whimper and lean my head back against the wall.

“We should go,” he says, his voice low and quiet.

I nod, and he picks up my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. He laces his fingers with mine and pulls me into the alley, passing the two vampires who pay no attention to us. We are moving toward the edges of the city, looking for a place where we can open another portal when we come across another printing press. I can see the papers being printed through the window, and I glance up at the stranger.

He smirks. “In the mood for more fire?”

I smirk back devilishly. “Let me play this one differently. Since you’re sympathetic to the cause.”

“Smart ass,” he says, pinching my ass.

“Wait here,” I say, undoing a couple of buttons on my shirt.

He growls, the jealousy rippling off him. “Summer,” he warns. “What exactly is your plan here?”

“Just stay here, okay?” I say, unbuttoning another couple of buttons and then applying a little lipstick. I step toward the shop, but he grabs my arm.

“I know what you’re doing.” He digs his fingers into my arm, bruising me. “How far are you going to push this?”

He’s so jealous, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying it.

“Trust me,” I growl.

“Fine,” he says, releasing me reluctantly.

I walk into the shop, and I’m immediately clocked by a vampire who watches me with interest. He looks young, older than me, but younger than the vampire from the other printing press. Perhaps he’s an apprentice. I swing my hips a little as I walk to the desk he’s standing behind. His red eyes stay locked on my tits shamelessly.

“How can I help, miss?” he asks naïvely.

“I wanted to ask you about your news stories.”

He frowns, watching me a little more carefully.

“My name is Winona. I have been researching Elvira’s actions to build a case to ensure she never sits on the throne. But I need to know the name of your informant.”

He looks uncomfortable, and I lean my elbows on the counter, squeezing my breasts together.

“I know you’re not writing these articles yourself . . .” I look at his name badge and brush my fingers over it. “Norse.”