A Tangle of Hearts (A Shade of Vampire #44)(45)

A tall, muscular succubus shoved her way through the horde. She was taller than me, I concluded, as she reached us and stopped in front of Anjani.

She was strong and looked like she had been sculpted, then carefully poured into a silver mold to preserve every muscle, every curve, and every sharp edge. A cascade of jet black hair ran over her broad shoulders and down her back in generous curls, and her eyes were storms of green and gold. Her smooth facial structure, her full indigo lips, and her arched eyebrows further strengthened my growing suspicion that she was related to Anjani.

Her breasts were ample, captive beneath a handcrafted gold chestplate, and she wore tight leather pants, sewn on the sides with thick red string. A scarlet-colored cape rested on her right shoulder, and a massive sword hung from her belt, partially concealed by the cape. One hand rested on the hilt. Gemstones were braided through the top half of her hair. They twinkled red and yellow under the sunlight.

“They’re dead. Shifters got us,” Anjani finally answered, her voice weak before the woman, whose face darkened at the news.

The tall succubus had to be the chief. Everything about her demanded respect and attention. Her stature imposed fear despite her enticing curves, and her glare made me want to shrink behind Anjani. I’d never thought I’d be fearful of a woman other than my mother, until I met this succubus.

I peered over my shoulder to find Serena staring, her mouth open, trying to take it all in. Draven, bless him, was still blind and couldn’t see what had gotten us feeling so tiny and vulnerable. Serena leaned into him and whispered something in his ear, prompting him to nod solemnly.

I turned my head to see Anjani take a few steps toward the chief.

“The hunter became the hunted, then,” said the chief, her voice rough and cold.

“I’m sorry, Hansa,” Anjani mumbled and bowed before her. “We thought we could handle it. We lost the poisons in a fall, and we were out gathering herbs to make new ones when the shape-shifters ambushed us—”

“I don’t need to hear details of your incompetence!” Hansa spat back.

I could almost feel Anjani freeze beneath her glare. I would’ve done anything to get her out of there, but from what I’d learned about her kind, it would’ve only made things worse. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and watched, ready to jump in if anyone tried to hurt her.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her voice trembling and almost tearing me apart inside. I clenched my jaw.

“What’s done is done,” Hansa replied, then looked to either side at the other succubi. “Tonight we mourn our fallen sisters.”

They all nodded slowly, and Anjani stood up straight. Hansa then looked at us, and my breath got stuck in my throat. I didn’t like her attention on us—on me in particular. She narrowed her eyes, and the eyes of countless other succubi zoned in on me, sizing me up with no shame.

I was starting to feel like a slice of fresh meat. I wasn’t sure whether I should be flattered or scared. There was only one of me and so many of them. I’d barely gotten the hang of operating around Anjani. I definitely wasn’t ready to deal with an entire tribe.

“Who are they?” Hansa asked, motioning toward me.

Why me? Don’t look at me!

Anjani looked over her shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile, “They saved my life. Otherwise I would have died along with my sisters. They are my friends,” she said and stepped back by my side.

Her arm locked with mine, and she leaned into me. I felt my strength return. My chest inflated with warmth and confidence. I once again marveled at the effect Anjani had on me.

And to think just two days ago she was hissing at me, telling me to stay away or she’d slit my throat.

“This is Jovi. He and his friend jumped in and rescued me before the shape-shifters could kill me.” Anjani continued through the chief’s heavy silence, introducing the rest of our group. “This is Bijarki. He helped cure my wounds. And these are Serena and Draven, a Druid. His herbs saved my leg.”

More murmurs came from the crowd, but a long moment passed before Hansa spoke again.

“I didn’t think Druids were still alive.” She cocked her head to one side and narrowed her eyes, as if unsure that she believed what she was seeing.

“I can assure you they’re mostly dead or Destroyers now. I may be the last one standing,” Draven replied as he stepped forward alongside Serena.

“How are you still alive, then?” Hansa didn’t budge. Instead she crossed her arms.

“I’ve been under the protection of the Daughters.”

“It’s true,” Anjani interjected when Hansa didn’t respond. “They’re protected by powerful magic. Azazel doesn’t know how to find them.”

“They?” came Hansa’s response.

It felt like the more questions we answered, the more questions she had.

“There’s a group of us.” I spoke up, much to Bijarki’s visible distress. He groaned and pinched the blade of his nose with two fingers. “The Druid keeps us safe.”

Hansa’s attention shifted to me, and my temperature rose. She was gorgeous, despite her intimidating height and muscle mass. I couldn’t help but admire the way those leather pants glazed her thighs. Anjani cleared her throat. I looked at her and met her fiery glare.

I guess I’m staring.