Red Blood (Series of Blood Book 2) by Emma Hamm (best short books to read .TXT) 📕

Lyra had a feeling that Wolfgang would tell her anything if she asked. The dangerous power would need to be used wisely. She couldn’t afford to waste that on foolish questions.

Malachi surely wasn’t that important. She wanted to know why he had started using Blood Magic. Or perhaps how he had figured out that magic was a natural talent he had. No other human could practice spells. There weren’t any left alive.

He was still an enigma she hadn’t formed an entire opinion on yet. He was so incredibly odd. And nothing like the people she usually surrounded herself with. Beauty was high on her ratings of friendship requirements.

So why was she still fascinated with the idea of him? His mismatched eyes haunted her dreams.

“-which means we still need to meet with the Trinity for clarification on the prophecy… Lyra.”

“Hm?” She looked up to see everyone staring at her again.

“This is worse than usual. Are you alright?”

Their stares intensified as Burke asked his question.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m listening. Give me the short version would you? You sure do love to talk.”

“We need to contact the Graverobber, but we also need to see where Malachi’s next attack is aimed. We have a few connections within his ranks. If we use them wisely, we might be able to estimate where he plans on making his next move.”

Now that was entertaining. The promise of fighting always made her blood rise. She propped her elbows up on the table and cocked her head to the side.

“Who are those informants?”

“The Sphinx and the Gryffon.”

“Ugh, those two. One speaks only in riddles and the other thinks far too highly of herself. You’ll get nothing out of them.”

Wren’s brows furrowed. “Really? Even if we know how to decipher the riddles?”

“No one knows how to decipher a Sphinx’s riddles.”

Wren’s eyes flipped backwards, and white marble replaced storm grey. E had always made Lyra uncomfortable. It was an incredibly powerful creature and the last of its kind.

“Only another Sphinx would know that.” Wren’s voice had changed to smooth tone.

“Right.” Lyra cleared her throat. “Well then, that’ll help.”

“What would you like to take on?” Burke asked her. “We’ll need everyone to help, no matter how distracted they are.”

“Oh, just put me wherever I’m useful.”

Her words were met with silence as they all turned to stare at her once more. Lyra hated silence. She drummed her nails against the countertop before finally bursting with a loud, “What?”

“Where you’re useful?” Jasper repeated.

“Yes, what’s so weird about that?”

“I don’t think you’ve ever uttered those words in your life.” Burke’s eyes were narrowed as he stared at her.

“Well.” She slowly stood. “There’s a first time for everything. Where do you want me?”

She didn’t like the way Wren was eyeing her. That creature inside of her saw far more than it should.

“Put her with the Graverobber,” Wren said quietly. “I have a feeling that Lyra has more connections than any of us are aware of.”

“Connections she shouldn’t be using,” Jasper grumbled.

“Got it.” Lyra stood and backed towards the door. “Find the Graverobber. Fulfill the prophecy. Aye aye, Captains.”

Her hand raised in a salute as she slipped out of the kitchen. Even she saw how strange she was acting now. When had she gotten so awkward?

Probably right about the time she started lying to her team. The Graverobber was already found. She had already offered for him to work for the Five, and he had turned it down. At the very least, she had planted the seed of the idea in his head, and he had listened.

Or had he?

She paused in the middle of the hallway to remember his words. He hadn’t actually said anything about helping them. He hadn’t said no, but he certainly hadn’t say yes. Those words had never slipped out of his mouth. He had simply diverted her by asking what she had wanted and then she had forgotten.

She was incredibly stupid. How had she forgotten to get a more concrete answer before she left?

Then she remembered the healing process and the pain he had inflicted on himself.

“Right about there,” she murmured.

“Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity.”

The voice echoed down the hall from behind her and made her jump. Pressing her hand against her chest, she tried to slow her breathing.

“Wren,” she said. “I don’t remember you being so quiet.”

“That’s because she’s not.”

Lyra’s back stiffened. “E.”

“Lyra.” Wren’s head nodded. “You are hiding something.”

“Who is it I’m talking to now?” she asked. “A Riddle Maker? An Imp? Or just the collective hive mind?”

“Someone not to be crossed with. What are you hiding?”

“None of your business.” She crossed her arms firmly over her chest.

“It is if it endangers Wren.”

“I’m not putting your precious little girl in danger. I’m putting myself in danger.”

“I also watch over all things that Wren holds dear.” Wren stepped closer and lifted a hand to touch Lyra’s jaw. “You are one of those things. I will not tell her, but I must know to ensure that everyone remains alive and well.”

“And if I don’t tell you?” Lyra arched a brow.

Wren’s hand tightened on her jaw. “Then I will walk into your room late at night, and I will pour so much Aggression into your body that you will only see in red.”

“You’ll take care of me by using my own mind against me?”

“Drugs are a dangerous thing. Sirens are known for indulging too much.”

“I didn’t think you were capable of harming others.”

“Parts of me are.” This time, it was Wren’s brow that arched.

The standoff didn’t last very long. Lyra had no time for this treatment and certainly didn’t want to make E any angrier than it already was. She doubted that it would hurt her but supposed there wasn’t any way for her to be certain of that.

“Fine. I’ve already met with the Graverobber.”

She stared into the unnerving gaze of E for a few moments longer. She felt as though those eyes were trying to see into her soul.

“And?” E asked.

“And I