Love Me to Death (Underveil, #1)(109)

Her movements were fluid and graceful. Elena took a deep breath through her nose. The floral scent was intoxicating. “I brought you something,” she said.

“You’re next Elena.” Vlad was unlocking the only remaining shackle on Queen Tatiana’s ankle.

Still, no one made a move to either attack or defend. It was a stand off for something nobody really wanted—a cause no one believed in. This was Borya’s and Fydor’s war. Not a war of the Underveil.

Fee held up a vial of green liquid. “This will react to my blood in your body. It will make the elf ore useless against your powers.”

“You mean the plug they put in my arm?”

She uncapped the bottle and held it to Elena’s lips. “Yes. And the chains as well.” She poured the liquid in Elena’s mouth. “Swallow.”

It was bitter. She shuddered as Fee took a step back. Concentrating on the spot next to her, Elena attempted to teleport out of the shackles. “It didn’t work.”

While Stefan escorted Queen Tatiana off the platform, Vlad unlocked the first cuff.

“Unfortunately, there is a delay,” Fee explained.

“How long?”

The second cuff fell away, and she rubbed her wrists while he worked on her ankles.

“I don’t know. It’s new.” She smiled. “I made it special for this event.”

The screams and shouts from below grew louder.

Vlad handed her the key. “You free Nikolai. I need to join Ricardo below.” And with that, he pulled a dagger from the sheath on his hip and climbed down the platform stairs.

A sizzling sound filled the air as Uzana’s and Borya’s lightning bolts met each other and twisted and tangled.

“Give up, brother,” Uza said. “Your odds of beating me are about as good as a one-legged man in a butt kickin’ contest!”

“The revolutionary vampires, bear shifters, and wood elves did not join the resistance,” Fee explained. “They are attacking from the back of the fortress, while the resistance enters from the front. My father is in charge of the resistance forces and will defeat the opposition as they enter the great hall.”

The smile Nik gave as Elena unlocked his chains brought back memories of the last time she freed him and what followed. Her face got hot at the notion that sex would even cross her mind right now. Clearly, it was crossing his mind, too.

“Aren’t you glad you saved your energy and didn’t waste it fighting the guards?” she asked.

He pulled her against him with his free arm, and her body heated. “Yes, when this is over, I’m going to need lots of energy. So are you.”

When the last of the chains fell away, he kissed her fiercely, then looked around. “I have to find Fydor. And I have a feeling I know exactly where he is.” He splayed his fingers over her belly. “Please stay safe.”

Placing her hands over his, she pulled back slightly to meet his eyes. “You can’t kill him.”

“Fuck that. He’s a dead man.”

She tightened her grip. “Listen to me. This is really important.” When she was sure she had his focus, she continued. “His blood cannot be on your hands if you plan to lead effectively.”

“I’m a Slayer. We are charged with meting out justice.”

“I’m the Uniter. My charge is burned into your very skin!” She waited until she was sure he’d completely processed her words through his Slayer instinct for revenge. “Skin I want to spend the rest of my life touching and kissing.”

His expression softened, and his gaze dropped to where their hands were joined over their unborn child. “What is the best course of action, then?”

“I am going to stay here until the sorcerers have concluded their duel, and then I’ll join you.”

A quick glance confirmed Aunt Uza was still going strong, pausing for an occasional victory fanny shake when she had delivered a particularly strong jolt. Borya’s energy bolt was dim, and it was clear he was losing.

“I think this is close to over. Find Fydor and keep him secure. Beat the shit out of him if it’ll make you feel better, but do not kill him. Wait until the royal family and leaders of other factions are present and a consensus can be made. Prove you are a rational leader who favors peace over violence.”

“I am.”

She rose on tiptoe and kissed him. “I know.”

She watched him until he disappeared inside the building. Please stay safe, Nik.

First things first. She needed to get a grip on what was happening around her.

Borya and Uzana, electric bolts still tangling, were duking it out with no interference from anyone else. Good call. Getting in the middle of that wouldn’t end well.

Fee was still at her side, and the cat shifters were defending the platform against…no one. A glance behind her let her know that the Slayers had formed a defensive ring around the queen, who was conferring with…Aleksi!

Right now, this was the place to be. The safest for sure.

“Stop before I make you a crispy critter,” Aunt Uza said. “I’m stronger than you and always will be.”

Borya grunted in response, long, black hair matted to his sweaty face.

“You and I both know you’ve lost this round. Because you’re blood, I can’t deep-six you, bro, but one of these hotties can, so skedaddle. Go lick your wounds and plan your next futile attempt at world domination.” The bolts crackled. “Somewhere else.” She growled, and her bolt got brighter as his flickered, then disappeared completely, allowing her bolt to nail him in the chest. He disappeared instantly.