Page 54 of King of the Unsightly

“Do you perhaps have any spare clothes?”

Vodka, Stitches, and a Brewing Storm

Gren put on some of Levisus’s clothes so he wasn’t parading around naked—unaware that if he did, it was strange behavior.

It fit Gren’s body well but looked a little lax around the shoulders. His build was thinner than that monster of a man; not that Gren was small by any means, just not as big as Levisus.

Gren stood there tugging at the collar of his gray shirt as he shimmied uncomfortably from the loose-fitting black slacks and dark cherry-wood-colored shoes.

My focus snapped back to the void in the wall as it pulsated in rhythmic waves like a heartbeat.

It occurred to me how odd it was for Levisus to have a conveniently placed escape route, but Kaschel didn’t seembothered by it. So maybe it was normal since Levisus practiced magic? Sorcery?

I wasn’t sure what that shifty-ass man did in the safety of his room, yet I was still thankful we were leaving this god-awful place. But no matter where or what we had to walk through—shadows, portals, creepy forests, or whatnot—they all gave me the same chills nipping at my neck.

My legs moved on their own accord, and the darkness invaded every crevice of my body and propelled me forward.

My lungs constricted and I gasped for air but nothing, only the feeling of floating in space without the intense pressure of boiling, freezing, and expanding your body, leaving you unrecognizable.

Gren saw my discomfort and gently grabbed my hand. He mouthed his favorite phrase,You have nothing to fear.

I smiled unintentionally at him, but my comfort melted away as a disturbing thought filled my mind. The half a soul thing was maddening, but maybe there was some consolation knowing I didn’t transform him into some bloodthirsty monster or demon.

The void spit me out and relaxation washed over me until I saw we were back in a forest.

And my heart sank.

I was so sick of nature at this point.

Was it impossible to drop us at a coffee shop or comfy bed? Would they force me to hike on foot for miles again?

My body crumpled inside at the mere thought of it.

I wanted to beg someone to carry me, but my pride wouldn’t allow it. I had already been carried much more than I would have liked in the past twenty-four hours.

But if I was being honest, I wasn’t sure how long I could last with the blisters on my heels and the throbbing pain from my wrist. Both emitted a sharp pain with every muscle I moved once the adrenaline wore off.

Kaschel chanted under his breath and the air shifted as a cool breeze caressed my body.

Thank fuck walking was out of the picture.

My eyes followed the shade from the trees balling together until a black hole appeared in front of us.

The memories of how the shadows rubbed up against my skin sent shivers down my body, and I shuddered. Was this really any better than walking?

Kaschel waved us in, and I held my breath once again and trudged through as the darkness clung to my skin like souls of the damned trying to drag me to an eternal slumber. I would have loved to take them up on that offer; sleep sounded incredible, but it was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

Bile threatened to rise in my throat, and I staggered out of the shadows.

The only food I kept down this entire trip—the crusty-ass protein bar—almost spewed out my mouth.

I shot a glare at the three of them. How were they unaffected? Bastards.

When my stomach settled, I caught wind of my surroundings. We were back in Kaschel’s dreadful vampiric mansion.

I sighed. It’s like we took a 360. Ground zero.

How many days did I have left to get the second key? Valeria wouldn’t give me much leeway; I knew that much.

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