War of Gods (Vampire Crown #5) - Scarlett Dawn Page 0,1

seems to be less destruction!”

All four of us burst into speed and ran for the area where he had pointed. I couldn’t help but wonder if the site was in better shape because no one was attacking there or that they simply hadn’t gotten there yet with the bombs.

As we left the destruction in our wake, Dorian appeared in the distance, motioning all to him. We angled ourselves in his direction and stopped next to him.

“Good. You’re all here. I don’t have to find you. We’re leaving soon.”

“Leaving how?” I asked. “The boat—”

“We’re not going back to S’Kir. We have obligations here.” His eyes scanned the area, up and down, left and right. “Bel and Gwen will be here in a minute.”

“Dorian, we don’t—”

“Kimber.” His tone was sharp. “You have obligations here. My brother needs our help, and I’m not going to leave him without that.”

“You don’t know why we’re here!” I shrieked. “There is destruction raining from the sky in this insane war! We shouldn’t be here! S’Kir needs us—”

“No! We can’t get back to the portal right now.” Dorian stared out to the right, squinting. “We owe them—”

“Nothing!” I gestured wildly. “We had to save his woman. They’ve done nothing but throw everything into chaos. We need to go home. There’s a war there!”

“Kimber! It isn’t up for discussion!” His words were terse and unkind.

I didn’t like this Dorian at all.

I folded my arms and stared at him.

But before we could dig into this further, Bel and Gwen were there, along with a nauseating bang and pop. I felt like my guts were pulled out through my throat, and the whole battle around us swirled and shifted.

Where the hell were we?

I didn’t like this at all.

CHAPTER TWO

~ Gwynnore ~

Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States of America

Atlantic Coast

WHILE THE GROUND shook beneath my feet, I paused to catch my breath. My grin was feral as I sucked in oxygen and glanced at King Belshazzar. I lifted a black eyebrow, muttering, “We should probably get out of here. Don’t you think?”

Bel snorted softly, not even working up a sweat. “We could kill a few more before we go.”

“I agree with your queen.” Dorian scowled fiercely at his brother. “We’ve had enough fun for now.”

“Not the return to Earth you were expecting?” Bel smirked, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His pink tongue peeked out and lazily swiped at the human blood he’d sated himself on.

His brother merely continued to glare daggers. Not a word said.

I whapped my soul mate in the stomach with the back of my hand. “Enough games. We need to get back to the stronghold.” I leaned forward and placed my face close to his. “Use the damn amulet and quit fucking around.”

King Belshazzar cleared his throat, his frosty blue eyes scouring my face. His words were quiet while the world around us continued to shatter into chaos. “We will talk soon. I know you’ve been waiting and can’t wait to rip into me but try not to take your anger out on me right now.”

Dorian sighed and draped his arm over Kimber’s trembling shoulders, her eyes darting back and forth, watching the explosions in the sky above. He grumbled in exasperation, “Can you two hurry the fuck up?”

We ignored everything except for each other.

I bared my fangs. “You haven’t seen my anger yet.”

I was waiting to be alone with him. Then he would feel my wrath.

We’d been sorely lacking for privacy, as of late.

So many lies.

Too much for me to wrap my mind around.

My fucking soul mate had a lot of explaining to do.

His lips quirked up on one side, and he dipped his face, placing a delicate, chaste kiss on my pinched lips. He spoke against my mouth, whispering his threat, “You’re close to pissing me off right now. Don’t.”

“Fuck you.” I bit his bottom lip hard, slicing it quickly with my fangs.

Bel growled deeply in his throat as he straightened slowly. His chilly eyes stared into mine for a long moment, a promise of retribution—not the sweet kind, either—flourishing within their depths. But he did lift the Original vampire amulet from his pocket and stiffly turned to place his back to all of us. He grouched over his shoulder, “It’s time to go. This should only take a moment.”

Roran flipped his blond-brown hair off his forehead. “Are you positive you want to? Maybe Queen Gwynnore can work out more of that frustration—”

“Shut up,” Rilen interrupted. Thankfully.

I watched as Bel chanted softly, working