Page 34 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

“NotsomethingIlead with on a first date.”

Hekicked an empty crate out of their way. “Youtell that warlock of yours?”

“IxiusandIshared more than a first date.”

Rök’sjaw muscles bulged.Jealousyfrom the demon?Delicious.

She’dtoldIxiusbecause she’d thought he could help her.Butwarlocks were tricky, and good ones like her father were rare.

Mosthated witches, were intimidated by their feminine strength.Otherswanted to siphon off a witch’s power, while giving nothing in return.

Skewingtoward the latter,Ixiushad been disappointed whenPoppyfailed to manifest any abilities.Inthe end, she’d been well rid of him.

Röksaid, “WhenIasked you that night why you thought humans liked horror movies, you got a strange look on your face and told me, ‘Becauseit feels like a near miss.Andin the face of death, life is even more precious.’”

“Iremember,” she said, surprised he did.

“Youwere speaking from experience.EveryHalloweenyour life becomes a horror movie.”

“Nowyours has too.”Aveil of web wafted over her.Shescrubbed her face, spitting against the strands.Pfft!

Thisentire castle was a web, and she’d flown right into it, draggingRökin as well.Thanks,Mariketa.HowcouldPoppykeep fighting to find the cursebreaker?Howcould she not? “I’llbet you’ve never gone through this much trouble to get laid.Youmust be regretting your decision to come here.”

Hisgaze drifted to her lips. “Worthit just for that kiss.”

Herheart sped up from the memory, and judging from his sidelong grin, he heard it. “Oh, come on,Rök.That’sa steep downside for a kiss.We’vegot hours to go, and more unkillable visitors will come.”

“You’dbe dead ifIhadn’t hitched a ride here withDesh.SoIhave zero regrets.Remember,I’mnot concerned about me.Ijust want to keep you safe.”

Soshe hadn’t imagined the worry in his eyes whenAnnelisehad struck.DespitePoppyandRök’shistory, the demon truly cared about her. “Whyis it your job to keep me safe?”

“Youhired my sword.”

“Nowyou’ve been paid.Butyou won’t be happy with one kiss.”

“No.”Hegazed down at her. “Iwon’t.”

Ormaybe the player just wanted to check this box.Ugh.

Thudthud thud.Thatsound needled her; his attitude grated.Soonirritation hummed inside her like the electricity all around.Shewas pissed to be trapped here, pissed that some asshole somewhere had cursed her.Shewas super pissed that the demon still affected her like this.

Overthe course of a years-long rivalry, one horrendous date, and a perilous castle jaunt, had she ceded a piece of her heart to him?

Whatif she never got it back?He’dgiven her another kiss that had turned her inside out, with the promise of nothing more.Hiskisswas a curse.

Whichmeant she’d been doubly cursed.

Morewebs ghosted over her.Pfft.Spidereggs cracked beneath her boots.Lightningforked out.Thatleg wentthud thud thud.Everythingabout this place charged her temper.

Röklooked like he suffered the same, his shoulder muscles bunching.Ina curt tone, he asked, “Areyou dead set on dating a warlock?”

“Whatare you talking about?”

“Youtold your ex that you’d bring a hundredother warlocksto the table.”

She’djust been keeping with the theme. “Whyare my dating standards any of your business?AtleastIknew he wouldn’t get summoned.”

“Standards, is it?Andone more time,Ican’t help summonings.”

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