Page 73 of The Bonds of Nyx

A smile touched my lips as I pulled the bag into my chest and carried it towards the room where I’d first met with Queen Greer. The lights were off when I entered, the library barely illuminated by the gloomy sky outside the large window, and a permanent chill seemed to be working its way through me from the stillness of the space.

I suppressed a shiver, rolled my shoulders back, and sought out a quiet corner to work—one that would allow me to charge my likely dead laptop. It seemed there was access to outlets all over the room, though it shouldn’t have surprised me. Based on the layout, with the shelves and large desks outfitted with computers, I suspected the room was used as some sort of meeting space for missions more than a library.

But it was perfectly quiet, so I gave into the atmosphere of misty rain and gloomy skies as I settled into one of the empty desks. I unpacked my bag with steady hands, my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

Like this would be the last time I’d get to do this.

~

I worked for what felt like hours, completely immersed in my book. The words flowed through me as I continued the story I’d been working on the night I’d been attacked. Maybe it was because of how everything had changed so quickly, but I saw the tale of the lowly scullery maid bargaining with her lord in a new light. Perhaps there was more depth to their story than I’d ever thought possible.

As the room grew darker, I didn’t find myself afraid of the shadows sneaking up around me; the threat of night nothing more than a passing hour on a clock I so diligently ignored when in the throes of a new novel. Night had once been the time when I could be most productive—no classes to take notes in, no coffees to make for tired college students, no watching the kids so Kerry could go out with her girlfriends.

Nights, once upon a time, had been my muse.

So, I gave into the night’s creativity and worked. The scullery maid had just learnt the truth that her lord was not a man—but a lady of the house in disguise, claiming her brother’s place after his mysterious death. And the bargain they’d struck? The maid would marry the disguised lady, allowing them to claim the inheritance and find the lord’s killer.

My fingers flew across the keyboard, the clicking sound of keys a symphony of inspiration, a call from the muse. Even the soft pattering of rain against the windows moved me forward through the story.

As I wrote about the maid assuming her new identity, I felt a gentle tug at the bond tying me to Elias. The words slowed, and I felt for him on my own end, locating the bright tether between us.

Is something wrong?I asked, worry tightening in my belly. I started pushing away from the desk as his words rolled down the bond.

Nothing, Angel. I just wanted to check in with you.

I couldn’t help but smile.I’m okay. Just working.

A comforting warmth followed my response, one that gave me an idea of how Elias was feeling.I can feel how content you are.My cheeks warmed unexpectedly. It was just another thing I'd have to get used to when it came to being bonded. The knowledge that nothing was ever going to be truly hidden from the people I would spend the rest of my life with.

I sighed as he spoke again.I take it you haven’t seen Grey yet?

A small part of me was afraid to see her after how I’d handled the power surge. The stoic and poised vampire, who was so attuned to her emotions.

No, I’ve been in the meeting room all day, I replied carefully.Why?

She has something you might want.There was a flash of amusement, and then I felt him retreat from the conversation. Yet another thing I would have to get used to, I supposed. Having him leave conversations so abruptly, leaving me to wonder what the hell he was talking about.

With a shake of my head, I quietly packed up my laptop and plot notes, carefully storing them in my bag. One day, when this wasn’t so overwhelming, I’d return to it with a fresh outlook.

I snorted, throwing the strap over my shoulder. I doubted I would ever get over the craziness surrounding me.

I had one guess as to where I would find the vampire who never slept, and I assumed that would be her office. The smaller room was only a door away, and yet I hesitated in the hallway. My stomach churned with anxiety.It’s just Maeve, I thought, rolling my shoulders back with a stubbornness I didn’t usually possess.What’s the worst that could happen?

I steeled myself and knocked three times on the dark wood door. I felt the vibrations of it through my knuckles and up my arms, which barely covered the odd warmth of her presence within. There was a soft, muffled sound, barely audible, so I swung the door open.

Despite the shadows and low lighting in the room, it was clear what was happening within. Or sort of clear. At least it was easy to assume what Maeve was doing with the shifter girl from Jay’s team.

The shifter-woman was sitting on the edge of the desk while Maeve stood behind her. Hair pulled to the side, the shiftercocked her head, while Maeve had her hands planted on the woman’s shoulders.

Piercing red eyes met mine over the shoulder of the shifter, her chin dropped to her chest. A thin line of blood dripped down her bare shoulder to the neckline of her basic grey tee. The shifter girl’s eyes blinked open, and a soft moan slipped from her lips as Maeve pulled away from her, leaving only the marks of her bite behind.

Red-hot emotion surged in my stomach, rising like fire in my chest. I wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling other than it being a primal reaction to something I had no reason to judge.

“Ivy.” For the first time ever, I think Maeve was left speechless. Under other circumstances, I might have found that funny.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I took an unintentional step back, my stare focused on the blood coating her lips. “I am so sorry,” I said, my words stiff and bitter on my tongue. “I should have—”

“No.” Maeve wiped her thumb over her bottom lip, erasing any evidence of her feeding. “I should have locked the door. Did you need something urgently?”