Page 57 of Villainous Greed

I glanced around the long corridor. “Why are we walking inside the castle when we can do yourthingand take us to the first location?”

“I’ll let you change the subject.” August turned and resumed walking, so I followed. “And it’s called fading. I’m pretty sure I told you this before. Before we go, I need the others to know we’re leaving.”

I stopped.

August glanced over his shoulder. “What?”

I squeezed my hands together. “I’ll wait here while you tell them.”

He arched a brow. “You can’t avoid my family, especially when we’re living here.”

“I’m not avoiding them.” I was.

“They won’t cause trouble.”

“That wouldn’t be smart on their part.” While I felt guilty for the things I’d done to them, I wouldn’t tolerate anyone’s hostility. I’d lived in pain and isolation for too long.

“You’re right.”

I couldn’t help but notice how much bigger and broader August was as I followed behind him. His back quadrupled mine. Surprisingly, I realized I had all the power. Strangely, that didn’t make me happy. I’d been owned and shackled a lifetime.I didn’t want my bond with August to become like that. We were something else, and I wasn’t sure how to put it in words. I wasn’t sure whoIwas beyond the anger and vengeance. How could I understand what he was to me?

I just knew he was mine.

We descended the curved stairs and entered a massive empty room, while laughter echoed from a nearby hallway. My stomach knotted, but I held my head high, especially when August waited until I was next to him to enter the room.

The area was a kitchen. My grip on my chicken leg tightened as I greedily inhaled a sweet aroma. As we entered, the chatter and happiness evaporated. Tense silence filled the air, and I thought it was a terrible idea to cut into their family moment right after trying to kill them. Every one of his siblings and their mates stared at us.

Sebastian snorted and then covered his hand over his face. Barron sucked his lips in like he tried to conceal a sound. Everyone laughed.

“What’s so funny?” August asked.

Sebastian and Barron exchanged a glance, trying to stifle their laughter before erupting in amusement.

“Maureen told us you’re a virgin.” Sebastian wiped his eyes.

“And we’re just thinking how many times you’ve went out of your way over the years to hide it.” Barron’s face was red from his chuckling.

When August glanced at Maureen, she shrugged and grinned.

August arched a brow. “Really? Out of all the things you could talk about, it’s this?”

“Well, personally, I think it’s beautiful,” Joy piped in as Payne kissed her cheek. “August doesn’t have any regrets he wished he could take back.”

Payne and Joy stood behind the island, but I still saw her swollen stomach. How was she so far along in her pregnancy? She hadn’t been pregnant when Derrick kidnapped her.

“I’m not laughing at his virginity,” Barron said. “What’s funny is how hard he faked a life. Our curses are a bitch, but what kind of brother would I be if I didn’t make fun of August for his?”

August smirked. “We’re going to raid some of Harvest’s hideouts. Just letting you know we won’t be here to help with the dragons when they show up.”

Prudence stood. “Shouldn’t more of us go with you?”

“Believe me.” August gestured toward me. “I don’t need help. I got this tiny stick of dynamite right here.”

My skin heated as August rubbed my back. I didn’t know what to think of his words, but the others nodded.

“Be safe,” the youngest, Kara, said. “Take care of each other. We don’t know when our powers will vanish again.”

The mood darkened in the room. Was it the mention of their powers disappearing? Despite being happy about our departure, I found myself strangely perplexed by the outcome. No one cared about my presence. As soon as I faded us to one of Harvest’s hideouts, I said, “I don’t get it.”

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