Page 30 of Stone Temptation

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at four. I’ll have something sent over for you to wear at three. See you then.”

Did that mean get out? Was that it? No contract? No handshake?

Seth blew out a long stream of smelly smoke. “Is there anything else?”

I swayed on shaky legs. “I’m not sure.”

“Your word is binding.”

“Okay.”

He took a deep sniff of the air. “Unless you want me to suck you off? That scent of yours is incredibly enticing.”

Apparently, I smelled like fine wine to him.

Hmmm. I was never sure how to take that.

“Not tonight,” I answered, gently massaging my sore neck.

He laughed around his next drag on the joint. “Your loss. Now get out of here.”

My wobbly legs became an Olympic sprinter’s. In no time, I was parking my car outside my lighthouse, taking my first real breath.

Seth had shown me his true colors, a strong sense of dislike for him bubbling inside me.

How could he do this to me?

I barely enjoyed a minute of relief before Snaky showed up.

I flung the car door open. “You again.”

“Why do you speak so harshly to me, Luke?”

“I’m not doing this with you.”

“Why not? Why do you believe in the gargoyle system so much? Why can’t there be another way?”

Fissures of rage cracked my patience. “Have you ever considered jumping in an industrial meat grinder?”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning get out of my face before I give you a hug.”

She hissed along with her hair. “One day you will?—”

I waved a dismissive hand at her. “Go away. I’m too tired.”

“I can give you peace. I can make the pain go away.” She moved closer, taking a risk. “We can talk properly without the abomination here.”

I sagged, hunching over with fatigue. So done with everything.

“Finn,” she murmured. “Poor Finn.”

Some monsters sensed things deeper than just our names.

Ice flooded my veins as my hands balled into fists. “Shut up.”

“Finn in the terror house. Finn screaming for your help. I can be that help. I can return him to you. Mend your heart, be a savior beyond the limitations of the gargoyles. You have no idea what joys monsters are capable of.”

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