Page 31 of Summer's Seduction

The dark one seemed to be weighing his options of escape before slowly stepping from the shadows. The scent from the room behind him was unnerving, like the harsh scent of herbs and alcohol used to treat wounds. It would need to be explored further, but I waited to see what Larkspur would do.

It was torture not ripping his head from his body the moment he stepped into view, to let him continue breathing. To hear the continuous, steady beat of his pathetic heart for even one second longer when I knew what he intended to do to my little monster, but this was her kill to claim.

As desperate as I was to bathe in his body, I wouldn’t take this from her.

“I think he might have done something to the drinks, as well,” Larkspur said, holding her hand toward Camilla’s blade.

“It was just a compulsion spell,” the male before us huffed. His beady eyes met mine, brows raised as if to infer that my little monster was overreacting about her impending assault. As if him distributing tainted drinks to help others destroy consent was nothing to be worried about.

“You will be still, and you will be silent,” I seethed, my wings flexing wide behind me as my fangs extended. “Or I will rip your head from your shoulders and use your corpse to decorate the cavern walls.”

He paled but clamped his mouth shut as the sour scent of his fear filled the space.Good.I wanted him to be afraid—wantedhim to beg and plead at Larkspur’s feet; to feel each moment of helplessness he’d inflicted on others tenfold.

“A blade,” Larkspur said, her eyes remaining on the coward before us. Camilla looked down at her waiting palm and back toward the man trapped between them. Huntresses didn’t share. Each item of armor, each weapon, was earned through pain and sacrifice.

I reached for one of my own to offer, but Camilla’s fierce gaze flicked to mine, stilling my movements.

She placed the hilt of her sacred blade into Larkspur’s hand. “Make sure it hurts.”

Larkspur’s lips quirked into a vicious grin as she stepped forward. “I intend to.”

MORPHEUS

I’d never felt prouder or more turned on than when watching my little monster carve out pieces of his flesh. The first pass of the blade was behind his knees, ensuring he couldn’t escape.Smart. My Larkspur was so fucking brilliant.

His screams cut through the cavern, echoing off the walls in agony. The hundreds of Night Children below gathered around as the goddess before me took her time wringing as much pain as possible from his body.

I’d sent Megara and Camilla to find the others, the men who’d used this creature’s compulsion to poison drinks and harm more innocents. They should be back soon—fresh meat for me to destroy.

“I’m sorry!” he shouted as Larkspur turned the blade on its side, dragging the edge slowly down his arm to peel another layer of muscle from shoulder to elbow. His fingers twitched as if he’d thought about moving, about fighting back.

“Was that a twitch I saw?” I purred, pupils dilated from the scent of blood and the carnage my little monster was delivering. “And what did I say about being silent? Your blood on the walls and all that.”

He swallowed, clamping his mouth shut. I wanted Larkspur to have her revenge, but I didn’t like how pale she was, nor the way the gums around her fangs seemed to swell, desperate for blood. She was in the middle of purging demons, of healing her soul the only way she could. As much as I wanted to protect her, I knew she needed this. I would ensure her body was fed and mended after.

He shook his head, eyes wide as he sputtered out an excuse. His pleas turned to cries as Larkspur sank the blade into his chest, slicing a thick chunk of meat from over his heart. Blood gushed from the wound, covering his torso and spilling down his legs to pool beneath his feet. He crumpled, still alive but temporarily unconscious from the pain.

Larkspur turned, her green eyes brimming with gruesome pleasure. My heart squeezed, beating wildly with wonder and desire as she offered me a bashful smile, the chuck of flesh still clutched in her hands. Blood was splattered across her face and chest, red tracks running down her arms as she turned, lifting the skin and muscle into the air over the balcony.

“Are you hungry?” she shouted, grinning as The Dark Ones cheered. “Then eat.”

She threw the flesh into the crowd, fangs and claws snapping for it. Gods below, she was twisted. Feeding pieces of a man still alive to my people. It was diabolical. Fucking crazy. I’d never been more captivated.

And then her gaze met mine. She stepped closer, tilting her head to the side as if asking if it were okay. I nodded. Because whatever she needed, whatever she wanted, she could have it.

“Megara and Camilla haven’t returned.”

“No,” I said, wiping away a speck of blood from her bottom lip. I wouldn’t have her drink from him, not even a drop. She didn’t need to be subjected to the filth of his soul.

Her gaze dipped to my finger, her lips parting on a breath. “Can I command them to search for the others?”

Oh, little monster. Don’t you know?The thoughts swirling in my mind nearly made it past my lips.I would do anything you asked of me.

Instead, I let my fingers tip her chin up, leaning forward until it was just the two of us. Her pupils were blown wide, high off the joy of pain and fear. Of power. “As long as you do a favor for me in return.”

She nodded after a moment’s hesitation, turning just enough to be heard by the eager crowd below. “Find anyone who smells of his magic. Victims are to be brought to Megara and Camilla immediately, but those who have the scent, those who used it against another… are to be drained until their last breath. And when their hearts stop, I want the corrupted organs carved from their chests and brought to me.”

The crowd cheered at the macabre command, idolizing my little monster—worshiping her. “You heard Lady Larkspur,” I said, cutting through the cheers. “Bring your queen their hearts.”

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