Dark Nine ❈ Dark Nine Universe Bk1 ❈

Chapter Seventy-Seven

Diana's POV

Since the pesky children interrupted the Kors' appetite, both Star Squad and Ninth Squad had to wait for their blood and their pleasure.

While I was gone, Orlai had been bitten by Proxima, Toliman and Sirius, the three crimson Kors. I walked in on her literally in a bed covered in blood as they panicked around her, bandaging the wounds which were not healing.

Arcturus had a first aid kit and now he paces the room with Star Squad sulking elsewhere, as he guards Orlai's damaged body.

Alpha Centauri stands at the end of the bed with me, frozen with shock at Orlai's pale face and closed eyes. She genuinely looks to be on her death bed.

"Fuck," I whisper, "I –"

"Second lives have heavy burdens to pay," Arcturus snarls, "I told them to take it easy, but they were hungry – and they drank too much, then the wounds wouldn't heal, the blood kept flowing. The delicate thing has lost a lot of blood."

"The tea," Venus has come around and knelt beside her to check Orlai's pulse, while looking up at me.

"It's on the bedside table," I move closer to Orlai, but Arcturus steps in front of me, his purple eyes dig down into mine, "I'm sorry, I – I didn't know that she'd be so adversely affected."

"Where's the bunny?" Arcturus changes tact, raising a brow.

"Jitters will be here soon, depending on her schedule with –"

Arcturus blinks out of existence, and in another blink – he reappears with a screaming Jitters. She's freshly dressed in blue lingerie, but nothing else, clearly she had been trying on outfits.

"I wanted to match your new outfit!" Jitters yells at me, her hand on her heart, as she's behind me, "FUCK! You scared the bajeezus out of me," she swoons away from Arcturus, and straight into Alpha Centauri's side – as she puts a hand on him, she turns again and does a double take when she sees Orlai. Jitters screams again, jumping into me, "Oh my god, are they killing us now?" Jitters shakes my shoulders, "Oh my god!"

"Orlai will be okay with the special brew," I explain what I hope, "Calm down – we need you to drink the tea too. It'll make you stronger like the Fey. You'll gain their abilities. You and Orlai both need to drink it. See? Venus is giving her some, you're next – d-don't worry, Jitters. I swear, this isn't going to be a daily occurrence, I will order them not to eat you, it'll be an Empress' order, okay? Okay," I try not to sound worried about the arrangements, "The tea will make your blood ultra-regenerative, so it never runs out, you won't bleed out, don't worry," I wince at how fucked up this conversation is getting.

"Mmhm," Jitters whines out a response, but she's also terrified.

"Come here," Alpha Centauri holds out a hand and Jitters turns to him. I nod at the Estori – I dose of venom will help. Alpha Centauri pulls Jitters in and he caresses her face and down her neck, "You know what to do," Jitters nods and looks to the side, as Alpha Centauri dives for her neck, biting into her while looking across at me with hooded steel eyes.

I watch as his fangs sink far, far in – and I feel queasy.

"Argh," I step back into Arcturus, who wraps a hand around my hair and leads me out of the bedchamber, "I need a drink," Arcturus murmurs.

He's taken me out into the hall, turning me into the wall. I spin around to face him.

"You can have some, just know Orlai will be okay," I nod, nervous, "I mean – I hope so."

"If she doesn't suffer too much from the side effects," Arcturus corrects me.

"I know... and I know you're angry, but be gentle, alright, Elion?" I grab his hand as I turn my neck, "Be nice."