Page 64 of Revenant

“Obviously you’re not thinking clearly if that made it on your list. She’s already been initiated; we don’t have a reason to get anymore.”

“Then find a reason!” I yell, my vision blurring.

“Sorry. There’s one solution, and it’s not my fault, or anyone else’s for that matter, that your ego is too big to accept it.”

I take a moment to process his words, but they just sound like static. “She wouldn’t let me even if I asked.”

“How about you go ask, tuck your tail between your legs, and act like a civilized vampire, and if she says no? We’ll reevaluate.” But he doesn’t know. He doesn’t understand what happened in the hall the morning after she left campus, the way I barged into Moriah’s dorm looking for her—completely out of my mind.

I’ve gone mental. And I’m not sure if feeding on her will make it better—or make my obsession that much more unruly.

I pace outside her door, hunger and anxiety swirling in my stomach like a twister. The worst she can say is no. And if that’s the case, I’ll wring Bastian’s neck for making me embarrass myself in front of the one person I’d hate to see me break.

Before I can talk myself out of it completely, my fist knocks on the door twice.

Fuck! This was a mistake. I can’t let her see me like this. I don’t even want to see myself like this. But the moment the door swings open, I’m hit with a wave of almond and cinnamon, the scent overshadowing all my senses, laser-focusing on her.

Alicent has zero poker face. What she feels is exactly what gets painted over her features. And right now? I don’t have to read her mind like Bastian to know she’s fucking confused.

“Can I help you?” She raises a brow, looking me up and down, no doubt noting how pathetic I appear.

I barge inside, needing to get out of the hall and away from…anyone who could potentially see me. “Please come on in,” she mumbles under her breath, annoyance grating on her tone.

My fingers run through my hair, before dragging both hands down my face, trying to keep them occupied as the impending thought of what I need to do grows louder.

Her scent is…everywhere. What once smelled like Veil has long since been masked by her. And it’s sending my instincts on fucking overdrive.

“I need something,” I say blatantly, and she looks at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. I probably have.

“Does the Eryx need a favor from me?”

“Yes,” I push through clenched teeth. My fangs grow on their own accord, already anticipating what’s to come.

She looks as if she’s relishing this—the fact that despite everything, I’m knocking on her door for a favor.

“I need to feed,” I blurt, watching as her pulse beats a little harder at my admission. And fuck I can still smell him on her. In her. It’s fucking repulsive.

She looks puzzled. “Why does this concern me?”

I let out an aggravated groan, not wanting to admit this. “I need your blood,” I tell her, no longer looking at her eyes, but at the faint beat of her carotid.

She laughs. Actually bloody laughs in my face. The audacity is palpable. “That’s not happening.” Her tone is unmistakably final. Though the rejection only drives the primal predatory urge inside me, one I’ve been neglecting for centuries. She notices when the switch flips and a wolfish smile spreads across my face.

Alicent turns to run—big mistake. Not like she could get far, but all it does is make the ancient instinct that much more present. I grab her arm, quickly throwing her onto the bed and straddle her hips—the same ones that were wrapped around my brother not long ago.

“Eryx, please. Please stop!”

“Your begging means nothing to me. Do you think I want this? That I want to feed on you? It’s my only choice.”

“What are you talking about?” She squirms beneath me, her stomach grazing the erection pressing against my zipper. Her eyes grow wide.

“Don’t worry, little wraith, despite what my dick thinks, your used pussy is the last thing on my mind.” Which is so far from the truth. The smell of Elias still inside her is driving me crazy, the image of her riding his dick still burned into my mind.

“Get off me!” Fear eats at her words, fueling my desire further.

She bucks, but it’s no use. Even she has to realize she’s no match against me. I lean down, ignoring her pleas as my fangs sink into her delicate flesh.

It’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted—anything I’ve ever felt. Her blood rushes through me, and I sink deeper, her screams only making her blood run faster, and I chase it. Drink until the hunger begins to fade, stars dancing in my vision.