Page 29 of Horns for the Holidays

“I won’t risk her slaughtering innocents,” Kotos said grimly. “No, we’ll find her ourselves and get her alone. Then we’ll put an end to her games once and for all.”

The suite looked exactly as we’d left it. My dress, his jacket, my bag... everything was exactly where we’d abandoned them after returning from the Shadow Daddies event. As if we’d never even stepped foot into the labyrinth.

By the time we emerged fully dressed from our rooms, the sun had completely set. Kotos laced his fingers through mine as we walked along the winding paths back to the main resort.

Twinkling lights lined the path, but my eyes were glued on my mate. His jaw clenched, betraying the tension coiling inside him. He lifted his head every few steps, nostrils flaring as he tracked a scent I couldn’t detect.

Music and laughter spilled from the seaside amphitheater. The bleachers carved into the cliffs overlooked a natural lagoon where sirens danced through illuminated waters while sea creatures painted patterns of light beneath the surface.

“There.” Kotos’ voice rumbled in my ear.

I followed his gaze to where Devlin stood among Andreas’ team. She’d changed into an evening gown that shimmered like fish scales, the medallion prominently displayed at her throat. She laughed at something Andreas said, all innocence and charm.

Then her eyes landed on us.

For a split second, her carefully crafted mask slipped. Rage and jealousy warred across her features, lips pulling back in a snarl of needle-sharp teeth.

Then she turned and said something to Andreas before stalking away.

“Oh no, you don’t,” Kotos snarled, quickening his pace.

The holiday lights above us flickered, then began to sway. Tinsel writhed like silver snakes where it wound around railings and up columns. Ornaments rattled against their hooks as if buffeted by an invisible wind.

“Get Andreas and the guests out,” Kotos barked over his shoulder. “Now.”

Nervous whispers and glances rippled through the crowd as I shoved after him. “What about you?”

“I’ll handle her.” His voice dropped to a dangerous rumble that sent shivers down my spine. “No one threatens my mate and lives.”

I hesitated for a split second, torn between following his order and staying by his side. But as the first strand of lights snaked menacingly toward an oblivious couple, I knew I had to act.

I sprinted toward Andreas. Behind me, Devlin’s laughter echoed off the stone walls—high and sharp and utterly unhinged.

The sound of shattering glass filled the air as ornaments exploded over the crowd.

KOTOS

A six-foot nutcracker soldier shattered beneath my fist, splinters of painted wood exploding outward. Another lurched toward me, jaw clacking menacingly. I ripped its head clean off and hurled it at the next one advancing.

“You went too far, Devlin.” I batted away a volley of glass ornaments like annoying flies. “Sliming your way into the deal with Elysia is one thing, but you’re pathetic to target anyone’s mate.”

Devlin’s lips curled into a snarl. More holiday decor animated around her—garland snaking like metallic serpents, tinsel whipping through the air like razor wire.

“You choseher?” she spat. “A human, Kotos? A human, over one of us?”

I smashed through another nutcracker, advancing steadily up the performance platforms toward her. “I didn’t choose her. The fates did.”

Something wrapped around my ankle. I looked down to find tinsel coiling up my leg like a python. With a growl of annoyance, I reached down and tore it free, ignoring the way it tried to bite with teeth made of wire hooks.

My voice dropped to a growl. “And you tried to have her killed.”

“Oh, please.” Devlin rolled her eyes, but I caught the tremor in her voice. “Humans die all the time. You would’ve gotten over her eventually.”

“Over her?” I snarled, dodging a string of razor-sharp icicle ornaments. “You understand nothing. Mates aren’t casual, Devlin. They aren’t toys to discard once they’ve served their purpose.”

Her face contorted with rage. Wreaths spun through the air like deadly chakrams. I caught one and snapped it in half.

I kept coming, advancing despite the torrent of attacks. “But how could you? You’ve never felt anything real in your life. Just cold ambition and spite.”

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