Page 22 of King of the Unsightly

Think,Addy. Damn it,think.

Why couldn’t my brain ever function when I needed it to?

I stole a glance in Kaschel’s direction, and he held my gaze as he spoke. “Enlighten her on proper etiquette. I’m growing rather aggravated by her uncivilized demeanor, and I can’t have her acting out of sorts while accompanying me.” He waved his wrist, gesturing for us to leave, and apparently that’s all it took.

Ryas herded me out of the room, but my rage returned before we stepped out of the doorway, and I couldn’t hold my tongue.

“I can see why Valeria stabbed you in the back. Your shit personality could use some improvement.” I had a mouth, and I knew it. It had gotten me into many dangerous situations before, and this time was no exception.

I needed to learn how to whisper or shut up—like, did I have a death wish or what?

Kaschel stood up and stalked toward me. “On second thought ...” He pointed his chin down and smirked—one that screamed he planned to torture me. I hoped he would have a change of heart as my line of vision stumbled upon his open shirt. His pecs practically burst out of it. “I will escort her, and you can gather some of her things, but be quick. I don’t have all night.”

I would much rather bet my life on Ryas’s temperament than his. I also wanted to live as much as my mouth said otherwise, and she seemed like a safer option.

“I’m good,” I said abruptly, nervously hitting the side of the leather armrest.

Damn it. Ireallyneeded to shut the hell up. Why of all times was I having word vomit?

“Don’t worry. I don’t bite.” Kaschel snatched my wrist, and his whole hand devoured mine.

I slanted my eyes in distrust and tried to wiggle out of his grip.

What an ominous thing to say to someone you barely knew. Did I have to worry about him being an absolute creep too?

I crinkled my nose at the thought as another chant left Kaschel’s lips. The shadows balled together and formed a massive gaping black hole in the wall. He dragged me behind him, and I stumbled over my feet. My focus was fixed on the endless void before us. “First time might be uncomfortable. I’d hold my breath if I were you,” he said and pulled me through.

The darkness clung to my clothes like phantom hands grabbing me and pulling me under, but the substance rubbing against my skin felt thicker than water and smelled of stardust and moonlight. I could hardly comprehend anything as we shot through and landed in a massive hallway decorated with gaudy antiques and dreary oil paintings. The decor resembled some thousand-year-old vampire mansion; if this was his taste, I really didn’t want to see the inside of his chamber.

I staggered for a split second as bile threatened to rise, but Kaschel caught my waist. He instantly yanked me and my body squished up against his firm chest, but he quickly shoved me away once I regained my balance.

I patted my clothes down and shot him a murderous glare. How violating, whatever the hell it was, some portal shadow-shit.

Kaschel hauled me behind him again, and my legs struggled to keep up with his pace.

We entered what appeared to be a loft with the same gloomy and unwelcoming aura as the hallway.

My eyes darted to a familiar black curly mess sprawled out on a chair as he sipped a full glass of wine.

Speak of the devil. Did Jared believe he deserved to enjoy a drink after all the bullshit he put me through? Oh, hell no.

Jared spit his drink out and launched up. “Why is she here?”

Kaschel raised one hand and it silenced Jared. “If I snapped her neck right now, she would resurrect. As irritating as it is, she’s bound. I wish I had sensed it sooner. Right now, I need you to gather the others and find the witch.”

Jared nodded. But all I could think about were the words,snap neckandresurrect. Would Kaschel have tried it out if I didn’t agree to the deal? What kept him from testing the theory out?

The conversation ended, and Kaschel tugged me behind him again.

Jared’s dumbstruck face fueled my wrath. If it wasn’t for him, maybe I’d be on my loveseat watching rom-coms and eating ice cream out of the container like a normal girl mourning a bad break up. Not being dragged by some lunatic.

My pettiness won and I flipped him off.

Extremely juvenile, but what the hell? It seemed like a reoccurring theme for me tonight, and Jared deserved it. I also would be lying if I said the look of horror on his face didn’t satisfy me.

Relishing in the idiocy of my actions, my mouth twitched up in delight as Jared disappeared from my view.

I needed that win, no matter how trifling.

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