Children of the Fallen: In Cold Blood (BOOK #2)

Chapter 35: Outlets of the Violent Variety

Victoria Brooks- Finley

I was hoping to speak to Chloe and ask her to go to Zade's bar again after I finish hunting with everyone. I cannot believe I'm doing that. But I was dragged into one conversation after another and I couldn't get to her. I kept looking over at her and she was blatantly avoiding me. Sterling walked up to her a little while ago and they went off together somewhere, Chloe's face lit up when she saw her which brought a slight smile to my face.

I just finished unfortunately conversing with Niko, one of Kellan's older brothers. Compared to Niko, Kellan is not only a devout feminist but the most relaxed and humble person I've ever met. My God, the overestimation of his own importance and specialty. One self important word after the next and if he made one more obnoxiously sexist comment I was going to stab him with a blunt object. He is friends with Vaughn and Henry so it adds up. Sexist, arrogant pigs travel in packs I guess.

He walked over to Henry on the far end of the room, and I turned my back facing the bar so I don't have to look at either of them. "She belongs to the turned one, no point in speaking to her." I overhear Henry. "Was she even good?" Niko asks and at that question I squeeze down on my glass shattering it in my hand. Glass shards fall onto the bar top. Calmly, I remove the few shards of glass lodged in the palm of my hand and gently place them on the top of the bar. Reaching for a champagne glass set out next to me, I down it then start filling the empty glass with the pieces of broken glass. Every Ascension I do my best to avoid Henry but as much as I try not to let him, he always manages to get under my skin.

"Make another comment about my wife, I dare you." I hear Pierces voice across the room. I whip around seeing him squared off in front of the two. I rush over there grabbing onto his arm.

"Pierce, lets go." I say. He doesn't take his now- crimson eyes off of Henry, his nostrils are flared, and jaw clenched. "Pierce." I say more severely.

He finally looks down to me. "No, I want to know what he could possibly do to me." Henry says with a crooked smile. I yank Pierce back before he could say anything and begin walking away, holding onto his arm. "Bound yourself to a man who can't even properly defend your honor- or lack thereof." He laughs. Pierce absolutely could, Henry has nothing but strength while Pierce has skill. His father used to be a mercenary- a highly trained and sought after one at that, he used to train Pierce when he was little and Pierce kept up with his training long after he died so I'm positive he could take Henry. I'd love to see him destroy his ego but now's not the time.

I turn to him still holding onto Pierce's arm, tighter now to keep him in place. "Truly amazing that after hundreds of years you're still the same archaic, vile, poor excuse of a man." I state calmly despite the roaring anger inside of me. I immediately turn back around not waiting for a response and make my way back to the bar.

Thankfully no one was really watching. I'm sure a few were listening, hopefully not Lucien, I'd rather not have to hear his commentary on this. Back at the bar I finally let go of Pierce's arm. "I appreciate your intentions but please you cannot do this here." I say lowly.

"I'm sorry." He says his tone still laced with rage, "He just..." His top lip pulls back from his teeth and shakes his head.

"I know, believe me I know." I motion to the champagne glass filled with bloodied pieces of glass. "I broke that."

"I'm sorry." He says in a much calmer voice, with his deep brown eyes staring intently into mine.

"So am I." I exhale. "I'm actually looking forward to hunting later." I am, this whole week has been beyond stressful and after that it may be nice to have an outlet of the violent variety.