Page 40 of King of the Unsightly

“Wonderful.” The lady clapped her hands together. “Follow me. I’ll show you guys to your room.” She beamed at the both of us and walked out from the back of the desk and toward a hallway I swore wasn’t there two seconds ago.

A scream erupted from a room, and goose bumps rose all over my body again. What the hell did people rent these rooms out for?

A pit formed in my stomach once the lady stopped by a gold and silver door with an intricate pattern on it. All I could think about was Lucien and if he was okay. And how much time did I have left until a blood moon?

And I haven’t seen Gren for a while, where did he go?

Snatching Kaschel’s shirt, I pulled him to eye level. “Where is Gren?”

Kaschel placed his hand over mine and pried my fingers off him.

With an annoyed expression, he asked, “Why would I keep track of yourpet?”

I frowned, shook his hand off mine, and faced the hallway again.

The lady opened the door. Its loud creak ricocheted down the hall as she gently waved us in.

I gulped and took one step forward.

A Contradiction

My sight drifted to the massive canopy bed with a silky white comforter and black curtains draped around it. The marble floors swirled with white and silver. A place designed for royalty, yet it felt like it was meant for cheap entertainment.

A couple of creatures dressed in short, crimson, satin garments filtered into the room as they set multiple dishes and drinks on a table in the corner. The fragrance of freshly cut fruit filled the air and delectable meats and cheeses placed on golden trays glowed in the candlelight—or maybe, the food itself glowed from the many pearly-white candelabras scattered across the room. Some magically dangled from the painted pitch-black ceiling with specks of silver.

Deep in my gut, unease screamed for me to get the hell out of this place as all creatures bowed before they left the room, leaving the front desk lady behind.

She tilted her head to the side and blinked, her slanted eyes comparable to a reptilian. “May I offer you guys anything else?”

Kaschel didn’t budge, and fear swarmed me as sweat beaded above my brows.

Why did her question feel so sinister?

My heart rate escalated as Kaschel mulled over her question like he would actually consider it.

I unclenched my hand from the cloak and walked away from him and to the couch. I plopped myself onto it and let the cool leather soothe me.

Kaschel’s face turned from composed to infuriated as he glowered at the lady. “No. Again, we won’t be staying long,” Kaschel stated coldly as he grabbed the door and shooed her out.

The front desk lady didn’t say another word and bowed and scurried out of the room as Kaschel slammed the door behind her.

He threw something in my direction and stalked over toward the table in the back. The object bounced off the side of the couch and onto the cushion.

A chocolate protein bar in a blue and yellow wrapper.

Kaschel kept his gaze fixed on the table as he talked. “Eat. It seems you can’t even handle water from my world. But he should be here soon enough.” He grabbed a plate and plucked samples from all the delicious food and snatched a chalice, pouring a deep purple liquid into it.

I looked back down at my dry protein bar and flung myself back against the couch. I sighed heavily. It was entirely unfair hecould have a four-course meal while I had to savor this dried-up protein bar with nothing to drink.

Kaschel now lounged on the bed, legs crossed, enjoying his meal. My face gave away my animosity as my lips curved down in irritation. Hanger got the best of me and an intrusive thought forced its way into my mind.I hope he chokes on those grapes he seems to be enjoying so much.

“If you keep staring, I’ll start to think I captivated you with my ethereal beauty.” Kaschel wiggled his brows, and I snorted at the stupidity of it. Embarrassed, I shot my hand to my mouth and turned away from him. “Or are you staring at the food with such lust? I won’t stop you from eating, but if you do ... don’t blame me for what happens next.” He tossed another grape in his mouth.

I could have sworn his face lit up in a smug expression.

My eye twitched at Kaschel’s accusation. “Is that a threat?”

“You tell me, little flea, since I get off on kidnapping and threatening.” Kaschel taunted me as he twirled his chalice in his hand, leaning against the headboard of the bed.

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