Page 44 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

Poppywas his fated female?Theonly one he’d get—ever?Thoughshe’d dreamed about this exact scenario, now, the pressure felt too intense. “You. . . didn’t say anything.”

“Iwas about to, but you told me to do other things with my mouth, remember?”

“Youcouldn’t have revealed this nugget at any time over the past two years?”Thewords hung in the air as more memories bloomed.Suddenlyshe realized whatRökhad mouthed to her across a crowd of rowdyLoreans.You—are—mine.“Thebonfire . . .”

“Yeah,Itold you that night.Andhow’d you react?Youportaled away like it was the last evac out of a hot zone!Itried to convince myself you didn’t understand me.”

“Ididn’t!”

“Wouldit have made a difference?Youwere dating that warlock.Godsbelow,Iwanted that prick dead.Onlythe thought of hurting you kept me from taking his head.”Rök’seyes blazed, his fangs sharpening. “I’llsay this again—Ican’t help whatIam.AndIam bloodydonedenying whatIfeel for you.”Assmoke rose from his tanned chest, he stalked closer to her, looking dangerous and so sexy her mind nearly blanked. “Iam done with pain, done with craving!Thedemon in me will have his due.You.”

Onthe tip of her tongue:Takethat energy you’ve got going on and fucking ravish me.

Butshe had too many questions, and she was furious to only now be learning about?—

Rattlerattle rattle . . . sliiice.

Thesound came from a far corner of the attic.Movementappeared deep in the shadows. “Theskeletons are coming!”

Rökgrated a curse inDemonishand stomped into his boots. “Theirtiming is infernal.”

Sheyanked on her jacket and bag, probing her curse. “It’snot just them.Ifeel themallstirring.”SheandRökwould have to deal with this shocking revelation later. “It’sbad.Worsethan ever before.”Topunctuate her statement, the angry shriek of a horse sounded from somewhere in the castle.

Rökdonned his shirt. “ThatwhatIthink it is?”

Nod. “TheHeadlessHorseman.”

FOURTEEN

“Wedon’t have any way to dispose of the skeletons here.”Rökbelted his sword, not that it’d inflict lasting damage against these foes. “We’vegot to run.Raincheck?”

Sheglared. “Undecided.”

Fantastic.He’dsaid too much.He’dlet his thwarted need and the memory of all those crazed nights away from her goad his temper.

Whenskeletons emerged from the shadows, scythes raised, he said, “Witch, we areleaving,” and grabbed her hand.Withanother glare, she allowed it.Theyhurried to the exit, and he opened the door.

Aflood of black flew at them.

“Down!”Hesnagged her and hit the ground, shielding her from a swarm of vampire bats. “Thoseyours?”

Abovetheir screeches, she said, “Mine.Itwouldn’t be?—”

“Halloweenwithout them.Yeah, yeah.”

Theflying rats blotted the air, wings flapping, bodies colliding.Butonce the skeletons drew closer, the swarm vanished as if it’d never been.

Pullingher to her feet,Rökled her through the doorway and down the creaking steps. “Let’slose them—”Woodcrumbled beneath his boots.

“Rök!”Shesnatched him back, and they watched the rotted step fall.Allthe ones below it looked unstable.Rustednails squeaked under their weight.

Rattlerattle rattle . . . sliiice.

“We’vestill got to head down.Stayclose to the side.”Hasteningas much as they dared, they made it down one rickety flight.

Abovethem skeletons plowed into each other and plummeted through that missing step.Bonesrained overRökandPoppy.Askull bounced atop her shoulder, still snapping at her!

Rökswatted it away, then caught a scythe right overPoppy’shead.Heflung it back at their pursuers as he led her down . . . down . . . down . . . a never-ending stairway. “Hatethis place!”

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