“Since the day I used the dragonite powers,” I say, giving them the vaguer version.
“How did you feed all those years?” Roslyn asks, apparently curious but not really alarmed at what I’ve said.
“Mostly from the hunts I was sent on as an enforcer when I was part of the council.”
“I helped him take magic in small doses when he was younger to keep anyone from noticing they were missing it,” Mom adds, as though she’s letting them know I’ve never killed to feed. “As a child, he didn’t need to feed off much.”
“And I took from Dice since being brought into the circle,” I add, knowing they will be curious.
“Me?!” Dice shrieks.
“Smart,” Thad says, smirking. “Lots of sexual energy in this place for him to feed on and replenish. He’d never notice his energy missing.”
“You fucking fed from me?” Dice harps.
“I stayed strong enough to be of assistance. But we need all of me. Whatever is coming... I can feel it. It’s big,” I tell them while finally taking a seat.
No one is blowing up, but Sierra and Deke seem more distracted than concerned with my confession.
“No word from Amy?” I ask.
Sierra looks up from her phone and shakes her head. “Surely she can’t be that upset. She lost her head and knows it. She might have killed Simone or Kya if you and your freaky new eyes hadn’t stepped in.”
It’s painful to stifle the growl in my throat, but I do. I would have torn Amy apart for hurting Kya, which is insane. I’ve known Amy for ages, even cared intimately for her in some capacity at one point.
“Is no one concerned with the fact he just admitted to feeding off my magic?” Dice snaps. He points up and down his body, then slaps his own ass. “This sweet ass is off the fucking menu. Do you hear me? Hashtag, no secret eating allowed.”
Karma pats his leg.
“Does my sister see all of you?” Karma asks quietly.
I’m not sure of how to speak about Kya without feeling the urge to go after her. The man and beast both want her for very different reasons. I just need to figure out half of the equation before I risk anything.
“Wait! You knew too?” Dice demands, glaring at his girlfriend.
“Kya sees all of me,” I say on a sigh, running a hand through my hair.
I’ve spent a long time without feeling anything a tenth as strong as my desire for Kya. It’s as scary as it is invigorating.
Gotta stop thinking about her.
Clearing my throat, I train my eyes on Kane as Alyssa excuses herself to go speak to Ella.
“Kya sent this.” I hold the papers up. “The master is trying to open a portal, and the first bloods are necessary to recreate the circle and do just that.”
A hushed silence falls over the room as the tension ratchets up.
“A portal to what?” Thad finally asks.
“They don’t know. But we have times. The location is in Pine Shore, but there’s no exact spot listed.”
“So we’re just swapping topics instead of talking about the fact he’s a three-headed source of evil who has been feeding off me?” Dice snarks. “Hashtag—brilliance at its finest. Hashtag—priorities, people. Hashtag—my pretty ass feels violated.”
“A portal could unleash any number of things. Any lead on who the master is?” Gage asks.
“No. They did confirm our theory that a new power took over the rings. It’s noted that almost a hundred years ago there was a shift in power. All the ring dwellers felt it when it happened. They said—”
My words die when Dice screams and leaps into Zee’s arms, almost knocking him down in the process. My eyebrows hit my hairline as he darts a gaze to Karma, who is staring wide-eyed at the doorway.