Page 59 of King of the Unsightly

I was bleeding like Jared had manifested behind me and stabbed me in the back all over again—unrelenting and ruthless.

My lungs restricted as I withdrew from Kaschel’s embrace and pushed myself farther away.

I opened my mouth once I caught my breath like I could explain, but the words failed me—like they always did.

It’s not like Kaschel needed an explanation.

We weren’tanythingto each other, and I already said we were done here.

This was just a game of cat and mouse, and I was so desperate to not become the prey again.

God, I hated how that gremlin of a man was still taunting me even after our breakup.

I had enough.

Jared needed to vacate my mind immediately.

And I needed to move on, but I knew Kaschel wasn’t the right person.

My eyes fell to his chest; I couldn’t handle the intensity any longer.

Kaschel cleared his throat and ruffled his hair. “I thought it was only the men who stared down women’s shirts, yet here you are, ogling me like I’m some piece of meat.”

I laughed so hard I snorted and threw my hand up to cover my mouth.

I regained my self-control and looked back at Kaschel who had a playful glint as his mouth pulled up, revealing a white canine.

I shook my head. “How full of yourself can you be?”

Kaschel shrugged and each muscle in his shoulders tightened and relaxed with him. “Wouldn’t you like to find out.” He stood up and chanted under his breath. The shadows obeyed his command and created the gaping, black hole in the middle of the room. “We leave at dawn, so do try to rest this time ... even if you can’t get me out of your lecherous mind.” Without looking back at me, he walked through it.

For some reason, his vanishing presence left a chill in the air.

I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed.

It had been a couple days since the breakup.

It was about time I slept with someone and got drunk, or both—but not in that particular order.

I took a mental note to move on once I saved Lucien, but not with some demented fae who I couldn’t even read half of the time. Someone normal—not a walking, talking red flag. I already filled that slot myself.

I was glad he left. I think I would have done something I regretted.

Valeria’s warning came to mind, and I hopped off the bed, grabbed my dirty clothes from the bathroom and pulled out the mirror. My fingers traced the silver thorns protruding out of the skull then slowly moved to the three golden vipers spilling out of its mouth and eye sockets.

This stupid mirror was my only bet at saving Lucien, and it was scary how I knew my odds were slim to none.

Could I save Lucien? Was he okay?

I wasn’t sure, and it petrified me.

“Wipe your mouth and get changed. We’re leaving in five.”

Jolted awake to Ryas beside my bed, clicking a switchblade open, I rubbed my eyes and stifled back a yawn.

My eyes widened and I jerked away from the blade she held inches from my face.

“Were you planning on stabbing me if I didn’t respond?” I dropped a brow.

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