Page 43 of King of the Unsightly

Levisus grunted in defeat, but his face revealed a flicker of elation. “My cabin isn’t far from here.”

Kaschel watched me as he sat there speechless with a clear look of disgust and shook his head in disapproval.

“Seems like you guys want to make up.” I shrugged. “And if it’s too embarrassing because of my presence ...” I trailed off as I stood up and stretched my legs, letting a small squeak out. “I’lllet you guys sweat it out, or whatever you want to do with all this intense eye contact.”

“Ooh, I like this one.” Levisus grinned as he closed the distance between us. He bent down, inches from my face. “My offer still stands, all jokes aside. I’d be much more fun than the old prude over there.”

One loud laugh slipped out as I awkwardly stepped away from the couch. “I’d rather not.” God, it was almost unreal how quickly Levisus switched between temperaments.

Levisus sighed dramatically. “It’s your loss.”

Kaschel cleared his throat, and our attention snapped back to him. He lowered a brow, skeptically. “Can I trust you’re not ignorantly working for my uncle? He will promise you many things only to double-cross you when the opportunity presents itself. His tongue is sharper than the sword you wield.”

Levisus laughed and thankfully walked in the opposite direction of me. “I may want my brother back, but I would never work for a weasel of a man who slaughtered thousands of his own just to put himself on the throne. Even if it means I have to work with his impetuous nephew.”

Kaschel ignored Levisus’s snide comment and nodded his head in agreement.

Levisus clapped his hands together. “Great, we should leave before the banshees arrive. We wouldn’t want to become one of their targets.”

“I thought they were only spirits who warned a family of an impending death?” I blurted out.

My foster mom always mumbled about the fae and how they’re worse than the devils. It made me wonder how she thought I was the crazy one and not herself.

Levisus’s lip curled into a crooked half-smirk. “And you believe everything you hear?” I didn’t respond, and that apparently signaled him to continue. “Their preferences are children, but when the pickings are slim, they don’t mind adding a few various souls to their collection.”

Unsightly Beings

“Stop trying to scare her,” Kaschel grumbled as he straightened out his black shirt.

His intense physique was ridiculous. I wanted to claw my eyes out just looking at him as I watched every muscle in his arms flex. It’s like everyone around me spent all hours of the day at the gym. I would love to think it was glamour and they were disguising their true selves; I, on the other hand, could not hide my lack of muscle mass and weak stamina.

Wow, what a jealous thought, but how could they expect me to run away from danger when I got winded in five seconds?

It was asinine. I wasn’t built for this. I wasn’t some fae warrior who’s lived through countless battles with a thirst for blood and riddles.

I was some broke bitch orphan who could barely hold down a dead-end job. My idea of a good time wasn’t going off on an otherworldly adventure and being hunted by the occasional demon or monster. No. I wanted to watch my favorite TV shows on repeat. I needed fluff. Some romance, happily-ever-after bullshit that makes me feel warm and fuzzy despite my hellish life beating me down. That kind of fluff.

Yet here I was—where a banshee, or whatever else crawled around in this god-forsaken world, could easily drag me by my hair and throw me into some creepy glass display. Getting kidnapped again? No thanks.

I knew I was the easy target in the group, and it frustrated me to no end.

I had never relied on anyone except for Lucien my entire life. Now I had to hope Kaschel would help me out of the goodness of his heart for some silly keys? What a joke.

No one here was on my side. I had to make sure I reminded myself, so my focus remained on saving the only person who mattered. God, I missed Lucien, and I hoped, somehow ... he was doing okay despite it all.

I clenched the key tightly in my pocket. My attention was on the door as Kaschel stalked over to my side, shoulder-checking Levisus along the way.

They acted like two college bros who needed to let go of their pride and hug it out.

And I thought I was a petty one, but they proved me otherwise.

Kaschel lowered his head, and his gaze darkened with a flash of dismay swirling in his amethyst eyes. “Are you able to walk farther?” He dropped a brow like he was concerned for my well-being.

The concern was not for me but for what I could or couldn’t accomplish on our dumb quest to find the other key.

I desperately wanted to scream at the top of my lungs and tell Kaschel off. That, fuck no I’m not okay. I was dehydrated and the crusty, dried-up protein bar only made it worse. I wanted to eat, cry, and sleep.

My lips pulled into a thin line and I forced a jaded smile. “Yep, all good. Could even run a marathon. I feel so incredible.” A hint of sarcasm oozed from my voice, but Kaschel didn’t notice or care. Probably the latter.

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