Page 149 of Barbi and the Villain

I raise my brows in question.

“Lispera was the Ananke Supreme. The High Priestess we are looking for was under her direct command.”

“If there was a message in there, I’m not sure I understood it,” I mutter under my breath.

“Tell me more—” he starts, but before he can finish his words, he’s out of bed and looking out the window.

“Get the dogs, Barbs. We need to leave. Now.”

“W-what? What are you talking about?” I mumble as I swing my legs over the bed and join him at the window.

My eyes widen in shock as I see the street leading up to the village square filling with angry people. They’re coming toward us. Jeya and Elijah are at the front, their bodies humming with energy waiting to be released.

“What’s happening?” I ask in confusion.

Nykander presses his lips together.

“It is my fault. I did not think they would find out so soon.” He sighs. “I might have…” he trails off, his tendrils already at work to get the dogs next to us and ready to depart.

“You might have what?”

“I might have done something to Mr. Foerie,” he mutters, gazing away guiltily.

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“Nykander. What did you do?”

He purses his lips.

“I might have cut his tongue,” he mentions casually.

“You might have what?” I blink in shock. “You cut his tongue?”

“He will not be able to insult you from now on,” he declares confidently.

“Nykander! We’re talking about a person here. You cut someone’s tongue?” I repeat, still unable to wrap my mind around it.

He nods, as if he doesn’t see anything wrong with it.

“I will protect my mate,” he simply states.

“But now we have an entire village on our heads.”

“And we shall leave.”

“How can we leave when we still need to meet the High Priestess?”

“Barbi—”

“Not one more word, Nykander,” I tell him sternly as I fold my arms over my chest. “We are not leaving. We have not worked so hard until now to give up on everything because you can’t stop your impulses. I do appreciate you sticking up for me, but in this case, we are going to go out and confront the villagers. You are going to say you are sorry and we will continue with our lives until the High Priestess calls upon us.”

“You do not seem to understand that they are coming here with murderous intent,” he mutters drily.

“Come,” I say as I drag him by the hand and take him outside. “You will say sorry.”

“You forget one thing, Barbs. I do not apologize.” He chuckles. Somehow, though, he lets himself be led outside, going along with my plan.

I raise a brow.

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