A Tangle of Hearts (A Shade of Vampire #44)(51)

“The Oracles are something extraordinary to have against Azazel. We need to keep these people close. I know we don’t normally associate with outsiders but—”

“Desperate times, right?”

“Pretty much.” Hansa laughed. “I’m sorry our sisters won’t be able to see better days…”

Hansa’s voice trailed off as she threw the bone into the fire and started working her way through another from her plate. I heard Anjani’s breath falter at the mention of her sisters.

“I am sorry, Hansa. I tried so hard to keep them safe. Nayla was reckless and lost the poisons while jumping over the swamp. She lost her footing and fell in, and Shari and I fought hard to get her out of there alive. I guess the shape-shifters realized that we had run out of poison once they couldn’t smell it anymore and came at us. We didn’t stand a chance with so many of them.” Anjani's voice trembled.

Hansa nodded and gnawed on the second bone. “I do not hold you solely responsible. The dead share the blame as well. Learn from these mistakes and be a better succubus, a stronger sister to your tribe. One day this will all be yours, and I’ll be damned if I’ll hand anything over to a doe-eyed weakling.” Hansa smirked and nudged Anjani with her elbow.

I smiled, mostly to myself, thinking that this exchange was probably as close as succubi sisters were ever going to get, given their way of life.

I’d been so busy listening to them that I didn’t notice the two voluptuous and absolutely gorgeous succubi who sat next to me on each side. They purred and smiled at me—perfect creatures with shimmering skin, long hair the color of an orange sunset, and luscious purple lips. Their eyes were hooded, but I could still see specks of silver and red swirling. They smelled incredible, a mesmerizing mixture of flowers and citrus leaves.

I took deep breaths, allowing their scent to fill my lungs and further expand my senses. I had very little control over what I was doing. Whether it had been my choice or the succubi’s effect, I wasn’t sure, but I was enjoying every moment, my mind numb and my mouth stretched into what I guessed was a goofy smile. I caught a glimpse of myself reflected on one of the golden pitchers. Yes. Goofy.

“You’re so handsome,” one of the succubi hummed in my ear.

My breath hitched as she bit the lobe with playful licks of her tongue. My skin fizzled, and a familiar heat spread through my body from the pit of my stomach.

“Thank you, thank you very much,” I heard myself say.

“We should enjoy the rest of the night together,” the other succubus whispered, her face less than an inch from mine.

“There are so many things we could do until sunrise,” the first one said.

“We’ve never met a creature like you, Jovi. Consider us fascinated and very, very attracted.”

I didn’t know what to say.

Well, I did know. The answer was supposed to be no. But my body wasn’t listening. My mouth gaped, but the word stuck somewhere in the back of my throat. My arousal was almost painful, sending shivers up my spine.

Someone pulled me up with surprising force—or maybe I was so weak that I allowed myself to get hauled to my feet. I looked to my right and saw Anjani. She was fuming. Her eyes had narrowed to slits. Her soft lips were drawn into a thin line, and her nostrils flared. I’d never seen her so furious.

“Keep your hands off him, sisters. I’ve claimed this one as mine, and I’m not sharing!” she barked at the succubi.

My heart jumped.

The gorgeous creatures frowned, then shrugged and stood up, pouting with disappointment. Anjani grabbed my arm and dragged me into one of the tents that had been raised for us. I was dazzled and didn’t register much along the way.

She had proclaimed some sort of ownership over me. Even in my hazy state, I’d heard her loud and clear. As she pulled a heavy fur cover over the tent’s entrance, I found myself standing right behind her, smiling. My blood raced through my veins, and my eyes couldn’t leave the wonderful sight of her.

Whatever had been in that drink, on top of whatever the succubi had been doing to me, it put me in a strangely euphoric state, in which I had little control over my actions and felt like the happiest and most valiant creature in Eritopia. Nothing could stop me.

She tied the fur cover tight to keep everybody out.

I heard myself chuckle like a boy as I ran my fingers through her hair, a cascade of jet black curls pouring down her back. My gesture startled her, and she turned to face me. She looked stunned, her golden-green eyes wide. Her skin almost glowed, as if infused with millions of diamonds. I’d never seen that before either. Her rapid pulse and thundering heartbeat banged in my eardrums.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Anjani hissed.

“Why are you glowing like that?” I asked and reached out to touch her cheek.

She is so beautiful.

She pushed me hard, knocking the air out of my lungs. I fell backward and hit the soft blankets and pillows behind me with a muffled thud. I held my breath as she walked toward me.

I looked up at her, towering and glowing, as if she’d been sculpted out of star stuff. Despite my hazy state, one thing was certain: I would have worshipped a goddess like her. I would have celebrated every inch of that perfect skin, every twinkle, and every breath that she took. I wanted her. Badly.

But my body was getting numb.