Page 23 of Summer's Seduction

Inhaling deeply, I tilted my head to the side, finding a woman along the edge of the trees. The sweet scent of blood was cut by the sharpness of sweat and sex. I sucked in a breath, realizing where he’d taken me.

“You are strong, little monster.” I glanced up, unable to resist the silky smoothness of his voice. His golden eyes blazed through me, seeing far more than I wanted them to. “You know The Night Children are vicious, and the place we are about to enter is no different.”

“It’s The Playground for Dark Ones?” I swallowed, biting out the question even though I knew the answer.

“That’s right,” Morpheus nodded, leaning down as his breath caressed my ear. His hands were still on my waist, the gentle pressure holding me up.

Gods, I needed to eat. My magic had healed me as much as possible, but I needed blood.

“While we are here, you are mine.”

I narrowed my eyes, pulling back as I stared up at him. “Why would I agree to that?”

His lips twitched, his body shifting until he guided me across the stones toward the woman on the forest's edge. She was beautiful. Her auburn hair was woven in a long braid down her back, and the thin fabric wrapped across the curves of her body left little to the imagination, but there was a vast sadness in her deep, blue eyes.

“It’s nice to see you again, Lord Morpheus.” She dipped her head in a show of respect as we neared. “I’m Megara,” she said, offering me a small smile before returning to Morpheus. “We’ve been expecting you for some time.”

Morpheus stiffened, and when I dared a glance up, I found nothing but cold fury burning in his golden eyes. He managed to smile somehow, the tilt of his lips more menacing than inviting, like a cobra poised to strike.

“Yes,” Morpheus said, voice laced with venom. “My visit to The Southern Faction has been long since overdue. Thanatos briefed me on the state of things, and I must admit I was horrified to hear the details.”

Megara flinched, squeezing her hands as she dropped her gaze. “Yes, we have much to catch up on. Am I correct in assuming you will not require a source tonight?”

“Correct,” Morpheus replied, his hand wrapping around my waist. “Larkspur will be accompanying me tonight.”

“Exclusive?” Megara asked him before her gaze flicked to mine. “Or would you prefer to be open?”

Morpheus's body went rigid as she waited for my answer. His hand tightened around my waist, and I could practically taste the retort poised on his tongue, but Megara’s gaze never wavered from mine. She must have realized I didn’t know what they were talking about because after a moment, she added, “If you remain exclusive to Lord Morpheus, others won’t be allowed to feed from you.”

“No one will be feeding from me,” I snapped, looking between them and then toward the winding path behind her that no doubt led to The Playground.

Megara glanced toward Morpheus but decided not to press the matter after another look at the scowl brimming on my face.

“Right. I can see you have matters to discuss. I’ll have your outfits prepared and waiting in your suite, Lord Morpheus. Golden armor is our theme tonight.” With one last curious glance my way, she turned and disappeared into the forest.

As soon as she was out of earshot, I rounded on Morpheus, using all my remaining strength to put as much bite into my words as possible. “I am not going into The Dark Ones’ Playground with you, and I sure as shit am not putting on some outfit for you to parade me around in. Unless you think there’s a remote possibility of my sister being here, I insist we leave.”

His lips twitched as if everything I said was amusing. “Megara is an esteemed leader among The Southern Faction. The Playground is the perfect place for gossip to spread.

“Gossip?” I snapped. “You’re wasting our time on ideal chatter?”

“Yes, dear Larkspur. Many truths can be found in passing. If anyone has heard of a collection of warriors being offered positions, or say, a living soul wandering The Underworld in The Darklands, this is the place they would share such information.”

Psyche. This could be the first real lead.

“Besides,” Morpheus continued, his entire demeanor shifting as he rolled his neck. When he stared ahead once more, the charismatic prince who never took anything seriously was gone, replaced by a cold, calculated predator. “I have matters to attend to.”

LARKSPUR

The air was warmer underneath the surface. We’d been brought to Morpheus’s suite and offered refreshments before the rest of the day unfolded. And gods, was the food and drinks wonderful.

“She’ll need something to drink tonight,” Morpheus told Megara. I was only half listening to their conversation as I helped myself to the small plate of lemon scones. Gods below they were delicious.

She raised a brow, looking between the two of us as Morpheus’s shoulders tensed.

“Are you talking about me?” I asked, but Megara turned back to Morpheus before she spoke again.

“I thought you would’ve taken care of those needs.”

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