Page 24 of Invoking the Blood

“She constructed a beacon with impressive anchors. Anchors pierce the mind, snaring it to the fantasy we offer. Like when we war and I call outlove and defend me, those are anchors. The minds I snare, butcher their brothers in arms to protect me.” Sadi tilted her head as she sighed, gazing over Hell’s jagged landscape as though she were recalling a fond memory.

The information sickened Rune. He’d waited lifetimes for his dark queen. Was any of it real? Did he actually desire his night breeze? Rune met Sadi’s gaze and forced the words past his lips, “What delusion did she anchor in my mind?”

Sadi held his gaze, going still. Rune waited agonizing minutes. “I don’t see a command woven into the anchors.” Sadi squinted, tilting her head like she was peering at something. Studying it. “I think she’s using the anchors to hold the beacon in place.”

Relief flooded Rune. His dark queen was real.

Morbid appeared in the chair across Rune’s desk. The Familiar King slouched in his chair, wearing leather pants, a trench without a shirt, and a magenta scarf that matched the patch of color under his midnight eyes. He set his heavy boots on Rune’s desk, crossing his ankles.

Inclining his head, Morbid asked, “Prince?”

“I have a beacon that is anchored to my mind. I would like it removed and her location.”

Morbid laced his fingers, setting them on his lap as his brow drew down. He blew out a slow breath. “Such things you plan to do to your mate.”

Rune stilled, meeting the Ra’Voshnik as it surged forward. It thrashed beneath his hold.Release me! We must find her.

Rune ignored its furious cries, tightening his hold until it fell silent. He calmly turned his attention back to Morbid. Only a fool discarded a Familiar’s words, and that went twice for their king. “My what, now?”

“You’ve asked for a queen for a very long time. Fate has finally given her to you.” Morbid examined his painted black nails.

Our dark queen.The Ra’Voshnik purred at Morbid’s words, seizing on them the same moment Sadi said, “How can he have a mate?”

Familiar thought themselves blessed, receiving predetermined mates as a reward for serving Chaos and worshiping fate.

Rune wasn’t a Familiar, didn’t serve Chaos, and he certainly didn’t worship fate. Why would fate tie a Familiar to him? “Familiar call to other Familiar.”

Morbid shrugged his broad shoulders, fiddling with the shard of Darkness embedded in the silvery chain that hung around his neck. “I can’t say. I did chase your mother for centuries. Maybe all the thinking I did of her made you part Familiar.”

Rune exhaled. “That is not amusing.”

Morbid laughed, holding his thumb and index finger together. “What’s amusing is I was this close to being your father.” He dropped his hand to his lap. “But then Julian spoiled my chances by stealing a shard of Darkness for himself.”

Rune sighed, glancing upward for patience. He was never truly sure if Morbid fawned for his mother as a way to get under his father’s skin or if he truly harbored feelings for Michelle. He glanced at Sadi to assist him in redirecting her father’s focus, but her features chilled him. She looked… afraid. Rune thinned his lips. “What is the significance? I do not worship fate as you.”

“Being fated ties your life to the other. Death in either will claim you both.”

Rune heard that Familiar saying over the centuries, believing it to be an expression of devotion among their kind. Alarmed, he turned his attention to Morbid. “My life istiedto another?”

Morbid didn’t answer.

The Ra’Voshnik broke free, circling his mind as hot fury roiled in him. He was into his thirtieth century. Had survived wars. Torture. Only to have his life held by a woman he didn’t know. He silently thanked the Darkness. She at least matched him in strength. But being so young, she would be reckless. Not yet aged into her immortal body. Too young. Vulnerable.

Shield our dark queen.

For once Rune agreed with the Ra’Voshnik. He would need to protect her to safeguard his life. Join her court. “Where can I find her?” Rune bit off the words. Every moment she spent away from him was an unnecessary risk.

“Let your Ra’Voshnik free,” Morbid answered.

I will give chase if you won’t,the Ra’Voshnik purred as Rune said, “I want to find her, not devour her.”

A dark chuckle slid through his mind.So afraid she will prefer me to you.

My queen will tolerate you as I do,Rune growled.

The Ra’Voshnik prowled the edges of his mind.Our queen will purr under my touch. Submit to my bite.

Rune ruthlessly dragged it deep within his mind.You will never touch my dark queen, debase creature.