“Ender? Ender and I didn’t steal anything.”
She smiled and folded her hands before her middle. “You are an adopted daughter of House Krypt. Your maidenhood belonged to Atticus and me. We were to be compensated for your upkeep by the bride price you would fetch. You’re quite beautiful, you know, and well, we are a very affluent and respected family.”
“No one stole anything from you. My… I am very much intact, but I will thank you to mind your own affairs in that department!”
“Excuse me?” She stiffened. “Don’t deny it. Atticus saw you two sharing yourselves last night.”
“I saw him. With that looking glass, lusting after me.” I hadn’t meant to be this bold. I only wanted to be left alone, but she kept fucking baiting me. It was like a dance of morbid curiosity, antagonizing and more than a little bit of rage. “And don’t play coy. I saw the way your blood boiled when I toyed with Icarus.”
Her hand shot out like lightning and stung my cheek.
Had she just struck me?
I flew toward her, fist curled and ready to unleash, when Messiah came out of seemingly nowhere and snatched me by the waist.
“Chalice! I am trying to help you,” Isabella continued. “You must pay attention and learn fast. We haven’t time for this. Either one of us.”
Messiah’s arms were wrapped around me in a backwards hug. He gave a squeeze and shake that left me heaving for air and unable to argue.
“Listen up,” he barked against my ear.
“Fuck you! Go back to Blazian,” I roared, elbowing against the wall of muscle that he called an abdomen. His squeeze turned gentler, and he sort of danced while holding me.
“Stop it. You know I don’t care for her. Not as I care for you.” He lifted his forehead from my shoulder, and I noticed Isabella’s eyes shift a bit from my face. “Tell her. Tell her true, Mother.”
He gave me chills when he called her that. She didn’t have a maternal bone in her body. A soulless bitch who stood by while her husband played like one of the Fated Few.
“He had no choice in the matter. Neither do you,” she relented with a sigh. “You have choices, but that is not one of them. Come, or wallow in your misery. That is your choice.”
It was her heels that clicked with the confident retreat, and me who was all but collapsed and left behind. How the fuck had this even happened?
“Get up. You have to get up and arm yourself. That much she speaks true. Let us help you,” Messiah pleaded.
I struggled free and glared angrily back at him. Despite my whirlwind of emotions, when he moved toward the door, I hesitantly followed.
I hated myself for it, but I followed.
We turned right and hopped from the dock onto the sand beside the building. Along the river bank, Isabella strolled, stopping now and again to pick up stones and debris.
“What the fuck is this? Messiah, I don’t have a cleanup mission in me right now…” I sighed.
“Be silent, for fuck’s sake, and simply listen.” His voice had raised to a desperate cry. It sent a tingle up my spine and glossed my eyes with tears. Messiah didn’t lose face. He never lost control. Not like this!
“Please, love. I pray to the Fated Few that wherever he sends you I will be able to keep you safe. But the fact is that Ender has pushed him. He always pushes the fucking limits and now… Atticus is going to make you both wish you were dead,” Messiah rambled in a hushed tone. “That is the cost of living. So be quiet… and let us figure something out. Absorb what you can so we have more options when the planning time comes.”
The End
I hope you enjoyed Chasing the Night, follow Chalice on her journey to the Iron Inlet in book II of The Krypt Series, available in April 2019.
The Crossroads Priestess is my next release. It’s currently on pre-order at Amazon.
THE CROSSROADS PRIESTESS
I brought a demon home from work by accident, and I’m not even sure that’s the worst part of my day.
He says I’m his, like this attachment I got tricked into somehow equates to unholy matrimony. I don’t have time for this shit. I have an atrocious ex who won’t go away, three kids, and a cancer diagnosis to deal with.
I met a guy named Nikki that says he’s a witch, but he can’t get rid of this attachment either. And now irony of all ironies, he’s growing on me too.
Cancer sucks, but coincidentally so does Caine, a vampire older than time itself. He’s the demon’s friend and my only option if I wish to stay on this earth with my kids.
This is book one in a reverse harem series. Recommended for readers over 18
Pre-Order Now
To stay up to date on my releases, Facebook parties, and all things Tyranni T, join my newsletter. It typically mails two or three times a month.
SIGN UP HERE
ALSO BY TYRANNI THOMAS
RH
The Thorns and Thrones Series
Of Princesses and Pawns
Of Sovereigns and Savages
Of Coups and Cauls
The Heathen Harem Tales Collection
Keeper of the Norns
Between Mortals and Makers
The Krypt Series
Chasing the Night
The Crossroads Priestess Series
The Crossroads Priestess
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Scars Series
The Scars of Survival
Wearing the Scars
About Tyranni Thomas
Tyranni Thomas is a former nurse and history major with a passion for social justice. A writer of High Fantasy Reverse Harem, Historical Fiction and LGBT who believes that written words speak louder than most people’s voices ever could. She enjoys giving agency to historical figures and circumstances of injustices or abuse.
Chasing the Night (The Krypt Series Book 1) Page 18
