Excerpt from House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
Ithan: “We all go.”
Tharion: “I’m touched...” Tharion set his coffee down on the counter behind him. “...Really. But it's not as easy as saying, ‘I defect’ and walking out.” Ithan bristled, but Sigrid appeared in the bathroom doorway, steam rippling out. She must have showered.
Sigrid: “What would it take?” Tharion eyed the female, definitely an Alpha, with that solid stance, those bright eyes, the lack of fear in them. “The Vipe’s all about business.”
Ari looked at Flynn, “You're rich.”
Flynn: “It's not about money for her. She's got more than she knows what to do with. It'd take a trade.”
Tharion frowned toward the hallway, the door that led to the Viper Queen's private chambers. “Who's with her right now?”
Ari: “Some...female.” Ari rose to her feet and padded toward the hall. She reached the door to her room and added over her shoulder, “Pretty blonde in an imperial uniform.” The dragon didn't say anything else as she shut her bedroom door [heavy door closes], then locked it. [lock clicks]
Declan: “We need to get out of here. Immediately!”
Marc: “What's wrong?”
Declan was already reaching for his handgun, Marc, easing to his feet beside him with feline grace. Tharion peeked down the hall in time to see the door swing open [door opens]. The Viper Queen, clad in a blue, silk tracksuit and white high-top sneakers, sauntered toward them, [footsteps clack on wooden floor] hooped gold earrings swaying beneath her black bob.
Viper Queen: [footsteps clack on wooden floor] “Just a moment, your kind of poison is downstairs. Takes a minute to get.” Tharion stiffened as the snake shifter entered the room, surveying his friends and settling her gaze on Flynn. [footsteps stop] “You missed a spot of Sabine's blood on your hands.” They all glared at her, but it was the Fendyr heir who shot to her feet.
Sigrid: “You're no better than the astronomer! Keeping these people here, drugging and-”
Viper Queen: [scoffs] “Lower the hackles, little Fendyr.” She surveyed Sigrid from her wet hair to her baggy sweats. “Staying here's free, but a wardrobe upgrade will cost you.”
Sigrid: “Let them go! The dragon and the mare, let them go!” Tharion didn't let the Alpha's ferocity get his hopes up. [malicious chuckle] Not as the Viper Queen laughed.
Viper Queen: “Why would I do that? They bring in good business...” She cut Tharion in a mocking smirk as she stalked for the door [footsteps clack on wooden floor], headed to get whatever drugs her client down the hall wanted, “...when they're not blowing their load after a few minutes.”
Tharion bristled, crossing his arms, but as soon as the Viper Queen had shut the door [door closes], vanishing outside, clipped footsteps sounded from down the hall [slow footsteps approach]. Dec and Flynn drew their guns, Holstrom had his claws out, Tharion unsheathed his own [ring of claws unsheathing], his entire body tensing. [footsteps stop]
Hind: [disdainfully] “Put those away.”
Terror stole any last traces of Tharion’s brain fog. “Oh f-”
“You open that door…” the hind said mildly, “…and Prince Ruhn dies.”
