Page 55 of King of the Unsightly

Newly formed shadows shot out from the corner as Ryas transformed and strolled right up to Kaschel. Her white waves flowed with each stride.

“I have news—”

Kaschel held up his hand and it silenced her. “Take our guests to their rooms first.” He looked back at Levisus. “Follow me. We have a lot to discuss. Don’t we?”

Levisus eyed Ryas and me. “I would much rather follow where the fun will be held.”

Ryas scrunched her face in disgust.

Kaschel clicked his tongue. “You’ll have plenty of time for brothels when we retrieve my key and your brother. Unless saving him isn’t vital to you anymore?” Kaschel turned away, not even bothering to hear Levisus’s reply.

Levisus leaned toward me. “I’m afraid the big mean boss is asking me to work overtime. Have a good night, love.” Levisus snatched my wrist and kissed my palm.

I shuddered from his warm lips pressing against my cool skin.

Ryas rolled her eyes as Levisus walked past her, winking as he hustled to get to Kaschel’s side.

“Follow me.” Ryas didn’t give me or Gren the time of day as she walked past us, opposite to Kaschel and Levisus.

We wandered through a dark corridor with hundreds of oil paintings on the walls; they resembled a family tree spreading its branches and it looked never-ending. The more I studied the portraits, the creepier they got.

We came upon a wooden door weathered by age—dim and eerie just like the paintings.

Ryas pushed the door open and looked at Gren. “This will be your room. You’ll find everything you need until morning.”

“I will be staying with Addy. No reason to separate us.”

Ryas lowered a brow at me, ignoring Gren. “Are all the men you brought here perverted playboys?”

“Gren’s my familiar,” I snapped back. For some reason I felt I needed to defend myself, but was he reallymine?

Ryas swayed over to Gren. She looked at him. “Ah. The crow. I didn’t think you would give up your soul so quickly.” Ryas shrugged. “No matter. I suggest you stay in separate rooms unless you’re okay with bathing with your familiar, which I guess most of your kind does.”

“NO.” I cleared my throat. “I mean.” I glanced at Gren with a soft smile. “It will only be until morning.”

Gren glared at Ryas as she beamed at him with a devilish grin. “Fine, but if you need anything ... I’m right here.”

I mouthed athank youas Gren gave me a small nod and stepped through the door.

Ryas slammed it shut and turned back to me with a mischievous sparkle in her green eyes. “You seem to be some kind of supernatural dick magnet.”

I choked on my spit as I forced out the words, “It’s not like that with any of them.”

Ryas laughed and it thundered through the vast corridor. “Sure.”

I was appalled by her insinuation, but I didn’t think I needed to defend myself further.

Ryas’s pointy heels clicked against the floors until we stumbled upon the same room I used the day before. She pushed the door open and waved me inside.

The midnight-blue walls were oddly calming and the black spiral bed frame with pillars and intricately carved skulls andflowers protruding out of the eye sockets didn’t seem to scare me anymore.

Even the mirrors on every wall except for the one with the vanity dresser made the place feel more ... open and inviting.

I think I finally turned batshit crazy.

“It’s been cleaned, and I happened to come across some old clothes I was getting rid of.” She motioned her wrist toward the outfits lying on the vanity dresser beside the bed. “It’s not much but it’s better than the alternative.”

“Thank you,” I said with sincerity.

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