Page 66 of Insatiable

“This is the demon lounge,” Dade informs us, his voice steady yet laced with urgency. “This is where Quinn and I were nearly killed in the last circle.”

Just effing great!

Tate leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I might have an idea. Cerby! Here, boy!”

Juliette shakes her head, disbelief evident. “You don’t seriously expect that ugly beast to help us? It might have three heads, but it doesn’t have opposable thumbs… or keys to use them, for that matter.”

“There were keys on the wall over there last time.” Dade nods to the far side of the room, where a massive keyring hangs from a hook.

“Already ahead of you,” Tate says, determination glinting in her eyes. “Cerberus! Come here!”

“I thought it was called Cerby?” Juliette interjects.

“That’s his nickname,” Tate replies, undeterred. “Quinn said he prefers his full name.”

“How in all Hell does she know that?” Juliette scoffs.

Tate shrugs. “I don’t know. She told me about him in the Labyrinth.”

“Is there anything she didn’t tell you?” Juliette quips.

“She didn’t mention how to get the keys from the wall, but Cerberus looks like a clever dog.” Tate's eyes are fixed on the creature.

“I’ve seen dogs do more impressive things than just get keys from a wall. Do you really think it’ll work?” I say.

Tate’s resolve hardens. “Only one way to find out.”

With that, she calls Cerberus’s name again. This time, the creature pads over, all three heads swaying in unison, leaving a trail of drool that glistens on the floor.

“Hey baby. Can you get the keys?” She shakes her head toward the bunch of keys.

Cerberus sits, looking up at her, its tail wagging

“Keys. Can you fetch the keys? I’ll get you a bone!”

Juliette lets out a groan.

“Keys Cerby. Can you fetch the keys?” Tate motions to the keyring again.

The three-headed dog cocks its heads, as if pondering the request. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, it bounds across the room, its massive paws thudding against the stone floor. It reaches the wall where the keys hang and rears up on its hind legs, its front paws scrabbling at the rough surface.

"Come on, Cerby! You can do it!" Tate cheers, her voice echoing in the cavernous space.

Juliette rolls her eyes. "This is ridiculous. There's no way that creature is going to-"

Her words are cut off by a triumphant bark as Cerberus manages to snag the keyring with one of its mouths. The keys jangle as the beast drops back down to all fours and trots back to Tate, its tail wagging furiously.

"Good boy!" Tate exclaims, easing the keyring from the dog’s mouth with her foot. Deftly, she raises her leg and slips the keys into her fingers. We’re all on tenterhooks as she tries key after key in the manacles, but eventually she gets the right one.

“Told you he could do it,” Tate grins smugly as she unlocks Juliette’s manacles.

“Fine,” Juliette concedes, but it’s still a mangy mutt.”

“Don’t listen to her, baby.” Tate drops down and kisses all three heads of Cerberus.

While Tate unlocks Dade and I, Juliette stuffs her bra and face with cupcakes. I give her a scathing look.

“What? I’ve not eaten since yesterday, and who knows. We might have to throw cupcakes at that beast.”

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