Bonds of the Vampire King (Blood Fire Saga Book 7) by Bella Klaus (reading e books .txt) 📕

The scene I’d recently watched on television played out on the table’s surface. Sarah’s charred carcass lay on the stage with the melted remains of the stripper pole and Kresnik standing in the foreground with his arms outspread. He’d gotten rid of his ifrit appearance and wore a pristine white robe, his golden hair flowing down his shoulders, reflecting the studio lights.

My steps faltered. He kind of looked like a beardless Jesus, especially with all the studio staff sitting at his feet with their heads tilted up toward him.

Hades stood and pulled out the empty seat next to his. “Miss Griffin,” he drawled. “I was wondering when you would grace us with your presence.”

“I thought you were cutting off the broadcast,” I said.

“We have,” said the Angel King. “Our tech wizards have diverted the camera feeds to this room only. The Human World is seeing reruns of the previous week’s Annie Chong show.”

“Take a seat, Miss Griffin,” Hades said in a voice as slippery as rancid oil.

Folding my arms across my chest, I fixed my features into a determined scowl. I knew these people well enough to predict that asking them directly for Valentine’s freedom would be futile. If they’d wanted him here, they would have released him from jail or at least patched him in from his luxury cell.

It looked like what Kain had said about his being a threat was right. The Council didn’t know what to do with him and wanted him out of the way… But for how long? I inhaled a deep breath, gathering all the authority and courage I could muster, and spoke.

“Valentine and I have been researching ways to kill an immortal god.”

The Witch Queen leaned forward, her fingers steepled. “You’ve found a way to counter Kresnik?”

“We were getting very close and were about to synthesize something when he was arrested.”

“Could you share your findings?” asked the Angel King.

“When you release Valentine—”

“How droll,” said the Fae King. “Withholding important information at a time of war to save your lover from the consequences of his crimes.”

I turned to the silver-haired man, my insides bristling at his words. The worst part was that he probably didn’t care one way or another if Valentine was free—the Fae King seemed to live for spectacle. “Your Majesty,” I said those words like an insult, “I’m not withholding anything. If you had read my records, you’ll see that I only had a rudimentary education. Valentine is the one who understands the weapon’s magic. I’m helping him gather ingredients.”

Hades appeared at my side. “Sit with us. Perhaps I can help—”

“Kresnik broke out of your wards. He’s slandered the Supernatural World as a den of demons determined to destroy humanity, and he’s gearing up to create a zombie army.” My blood simmered as I said those words, because they were true. “The one person who knows Kresnik’s current strategies is still behind bars. Why?”

“If we break the rules for King Valentine, then our laws become meaningless,” said the Angel King. “If there is something you can share with us to defeat Kresnik, I would hope you can put your feelings to one side and consider the greater good of the Supernatural World.”

Guilt plucked at my nerves, making them twang like guitar strings. I was being played. They wanted me to feel selfish for not telling them and now twisting facts to make it look like the world depended on this information. Maybe it did, but they were also the most powerful beings in the Supernatural World, sitting around a table doing absolutely nothing while they could overwhelm Kresnik as a team with their sheer strength and numbers.

Four sets of faces turned to me, each with the same expectant stare. All the moisture in the back of my throat evaporated, leaving me gasping for a drink. If I didn’t say something, the chances of being hurled into a cell were high, and the chances of them finding one that might contain a phoenix were even higher.

“It was more like tactics.” My tongue darted out to lick my dry lips. “Valentine has seen Kresnik fight and observed some of his weaknesses from the time he went undercover.”

“Such as Kresnik’s minor temporal distortion?” asked Hades.

I nodded. “Valentine also has the speed and strength to battle Kresnik. We’re searching for a weapon he can wield that can cut Kresnik into pieces.”

“Such as the trident his brothers confiscated?” said a cold voice from behind me that made my flesh crawl.

“Prince Draconius.” Hades inclined his head. “You’re just in time to introduce the vote of no confidence.”

My eyes bulged, and I glanced at each face around the table. The Angel King’s self-righteous stare didn’t waver, but the Witch Queen lowered her eyes, unable to meet my gaze. The Fae King leaned forward, his pale eyes dancing with amusement. Typical.

I turned to Hades and met his curious gaze, the blood in my veins now boiling with hatred. It took every ounce of effort to keep the tremble out of my voice, but I managed to ask, “Why are you all doing this to a good man who has done nothing wrong?”

Hades patted me on the shoulder and smiled. “It’s only a temporary measure until we’re assured that Kresnik won’t rise.”

I jerked out from beneath his touch. “And whose fault is it that Kresnik escaped from Hell? Why isn’t anyone holding you accountable for all the breaches in your security?”

“This is precisely why my nephew is unsuitable to rule.” Prince Draconius swept his arm toward me. “He allows unstable young women to speak on his behalf—”

“Fine words coming from the vampire who wanted to use my power to overthrow the throne of New Mesopotamia,” I snapped.

Prince Draconius shook his head and chuckled. “Thanks to his little rabble-rouser, King Valentine has run his kingdom to ruin. When I arrived in Lamia, it was to find the streets ablaze with riots.”

Palpitations of rage pounded through my skull, muffling the rest