House of Blood and Beasts

18. Little Investigations

The artwork above is not mine.

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"Ew, I can't believe she even considered choosing Zeke over Kaius," Nathalie groaned before shoving a handful of popcorn in her mouth.

"Right?" Sarai agreed. "The names alone would've been enough to convince me. I'd even let him suck my blood. That's coming from someone who is not at all attracted to Vampyrs."

"I still might draw the line at that, unless he made it worth my while, of course."

"Of course."

They laughed together and Nathalie draped an arm around Sarai's shoulders. Sarai grimaced, adjusting her position so that the pressure from Nathalie's arm didn't irritate her back. Only four days had passed since her whipping. Her wounds were healing now, but would still be tender for a while. She could only wear soft, lightweight clothing. Anything else rubbed her back raw and caused too much pain.

Two days ago, Sarai had insisted on returning home, not wanting to impose on Danika and Bryce any longer than she had to. At first, everyone had argued her decision, even Nathalie and Connor. They were mostly worried that Sabine, Rafe, or Lucas would begin to pester her the moment they learned she was back in the Den. Eventually, a decision was reached. Sarai agreed to stay with Nathalie until she was fully healed. That had put everyone's minds at ease, her own included.

"Have you convinced his Royal Highness to watch Fangs and Bangs yet?" Nathalie asked.

"Ruhn? No, not yet. I haven't even talked to him since he came to Bryce and Danika's apartment."

"Bryce was pissed."

"So I gathered. Was she pissed that he came or because he came to see me, not her?"

Nathalie shrugged. "You know Bryce. It was probably a combination of the two."

Sarai bit her lip, then asked, "Do you know what happened between them?"

Nathalie shook her head. "I've only heard rumors that there was a fight. Maybe something about Bryce's heritage, or Ruhn's claim to the throne? Who knows? If Danika knows anything, she won't say, and Bryce is locked up tighter than a tomb."

"Hm." Sarai said nothing more and grabbed her phone. She had a few notifications from Blood Moon's group chat, but she didn't bother checking those.

Sarai snapped a picture of the TV screen, then of herself. Nathalie watched her from the corner of her eye, but said nothing. Sarai sent the images to Ruhn and waited for a response. A few minutes later, it came.

What's happening in this episode? He asked.

That incredibly sexy Vampyr, Kaius, is about to hook up with a Fae.

Don't tell me you prefer Vampyrs, Rai Rai. They'll just fuck you and suck you until you die.

At least I'll die happy. Also, you worded that in such a wrong way.

Take it in a literal sense.

I'm taking it very literally. Sarai giggled to herself, waiting to see what he had to say to that.

Now who's the pervert?

Still you, Chosen One.

"Hey," Nathalie elbowed her. "Are you gonna watch the show or text your boyfriend the whole time?"