Renegades (Hotbloods #3)

I smiled, feeling proud of my bandolier and the personalized blades slotted along the length of the leather-like material. “It was a gift from Queen Brisha,” I explained, fastening my coat around myself to keep the weapons hidden.

Bashrik paled. “You should see the pile of things that keep coming to my door from her. There’s more and more of every day,” he groaned, gesturing toward a mountain of objects that stood against the far wall of the living area. “I even had to ask the girls if I could put some stuff in here. It was getting ridiculous in my chambers.”

I walked over to the pile of gifts. There were gems and jewels, cuffs and bracelets, all still in their packaging. There were vials too, though the majority looked untouched.

“Has Queen Brisha actually talked to you about this?” I asked, turning back to him.

“Not yet. I’m dreading she’ll make an appearance, one of these days,” he muttered darkly. “There is one thing I’ve been eager to try, however…” He walked over to the pile of gifts and plucked a small blue vial out of a wooden box. “In fact, I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“What is it?” I asked, frowning at the little glass bottle.

“The blood of a Haligon. It arrived this morning, with a note for me to have an enlightening breakfast,” he explained. “It’s supposed to be some of the finest blood in the universe, though it’s super rare. How she got her hands on it, I’ve got no idea. Though, I suppose she is the queen.” He shrugged. “Anyway, I was saving it for this evening, but I might have it now, to get me through the rest of the day,” he said, removing the stopper and lifting it to his lips.

Navan rushed past me in a blur, swiping the vial out of Bashrik’s hand with a violent shove. The glass bottle crashed to the ground and shattered into a thousand pieces, a deep purple liquid oozing out.

“What the hell, man!” Bashrik yelled, his expression shocked.

“I knew that’s what she was up to,” Navan said, dipping a finger in the liquid and bringing it up to his nostrils, sniffing it intently.

“Care to tell me what’s going on?” Bashrik asked, his tone still tense.

Navan flashed his brother an apologetic look. “We were asked to get some things from the market last night, for the queen. Pandora caught us sneaking out, so we couldn’t exactly say no. Anyway, I thought nothing of it, until I read the list again. It reminded me of something, but it had been so long since I’d made one, I couldn’t be sure of the ingredients. I just knew something felt off. Now I know why. She made you a love elixir, Bash. That’s what’s in that vial.”

Bashrik looked aghast. “I knew she’d come for me eventually,” he whispered, horrified. “I kept thinking I could keep her at bay… but this? This is taking things to another level! How am I supposed to fend off the advances of a queen, for Rask’s sake!” he cried, much to my amusement. I couldn’t help it—it was too comical not to laugh. Even Navan looked like he was struggling not to chuckle. Angie, however, remained stony-faced, strangely not amused at all by the events.

“You be a man, and tell her you’re not interested,” she said firmly, before turning from the room, flipping up her hood and pulling it tight around her face.

I shrugged, then followed, leaving the two coldbloods speechless in the apartment. I guessed it was always good to keep them on their toes.



Angie and I set off on foot to find Yorrek’s house. I kept thinking about the wing serum in my pocket, wanting to feel the power of the wings behind me, but knew they would be pointless with Angie here. I didn’t want to risk carrying her without Navan present. I wasn’t quite that confident yet.

“I can’t believe she’s sending him all these things. Doesn’t she have anything better to do?” Angie muttered as we walked along. “Honestly, as queen of half a nation, you’d think she’d have something more important to keep her busy. I’m sick of hearing Bashrik knock at my door every morning, and then having to deal with whatever gift she’s sent because he can’t fit it in his place.”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” I said, nudging her arm.

She scowled. “I’m not protesting. I just think, as leader of half a planet, she should be able to prioritize. I hardly think chasing after some nobody coldblood is a good use of her time, not when she should be focusing on bringing about peace, or war, or whatever it is she’s doing in this stupid conflict with her sister,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “Plus, I don’t think it’s fair to Bashrik. I mean, sending gifts is one thing, but making a love potion? It’s borderline pathetic, and frankly immoral. Bashrik doesn’t like her, so she should let it go.”

“The lady definitely protests too much.” I chuckled, knowing my teasing was infuriating her. And yet, I could see the truth in all of this: she had feelings for Bashrik. She just couldn’t admit it to herself. As her friend, it was my duty to get an honest answer out of her. “It’s okay if you like him, you know,” I said, softening my tone.

“I don’t like Bashrik!” She snorted, as if the idea were ludicrous.

I grinned. “I think you do. Why else would you be so bothered about what Queen Brisha does? I mean, we’ve all been that girl, pining over a boy who doesn’t like us back. I would’ve expected sympathy from you, but instead, all I see is jealousy,” I prodded.

“I am not jealous of the queen and Bashrik,” she insisted tersely. “The queen can do whatever she wants. I just don’t think she should be forcing Bashrik to like her. I’m not interested in who he does like. I’m just interested in seeing injustices stopped, that’s all,” she added vehemently, her cheeks turning a bright shade of scarlet.

“‘Injustices stopped.’” I smirked. “Really, now. You can’t fool me, Angie. I know what it’s like to have feelings for one of these coldbloods, and I know how weird it is to admit. Once you do, you’ll feel better,” I said encouragingly, though Angie wasn’t having any of it.

“I don’t like him, Riley! How could I?” she ranted. “He’s so full of himself! I don’t think I’ve ever met a man so arrogant. Yes, his drawings and buildings are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, but that doesn’t give him the right to brag all the time. And he’s always so condescending, like I’m this useless little creature that has to be protected. Whenever I step up onto the building site, he puts his arm around me, as if he’s expecting me to trip on a pebble or something. I tell him off, but he keeps doing it! Not to mention the fact that he thinks he’s right all the time, and he never backs down when he’s wrong. Besides, he’s way too tall for someone like me, and I wouldn’t even know what to do with muscles like that. It must be like cuddling a block of cement. No way do I like him—not a chance!”