Page 14 of The Monsters We Are

“You know, I was just gonna say the same to you.”

“Hmm, well, I think we should both do something about this little situation.”

She smiled. “You know what? Sometimes, it’s like one mind.”

“Strip for me. Slowly.” He took a step back and folded his arms, expectant. “I want to take a good, long look at what’s mine before I ravish you.”

“Ravish, huh? Awesome. Because you’re rather good at it.”

“Why, thank you. Now strip.” He narrowed his eyes when she swiftly whipped off the tee. “I saidslowly.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.”

“Did you? Did you really?”

“No. No, not really.” A slow grin curved her mouth. “Why, you gonna punish me?”

“I’m going to fucking defile you.”

A delicious wariness flickered in her eyes, calling to the predator in him.

“Define ‘defile’,” she said.

He smiled. “I’d rather just show you.”

Chapter Four

After eating breakfast with Cain the next morning, Wynter strode through the arched hallways of his Keep as she made her way to the exit. The tall, cylindrical building was seriously impressive. A fusion of the old and the new. It boasted many state-of-the-art features, but she was more wowed by the imperial staircases and domed, frescoed ceilings that made her think of cathedrals.

She was also a fan of the stained glass windows that came in different shapes and sizes. It was difficult to tell from the inside, but the Keep was constructed of black stone. The shimmer of magick embedded in said stones prevented the exterior from looking dull.

Wynter skimmed her eyes over one of her favorite paintings as she passed it. Cain had long ago told her that he was an avid collector, but she’d sensed that much from the display of rare books, artwork, and sculptures in his Keep. Of course, the fact that he’d been so intrigued at the thought of having rights to an undead soul also gave her a clue.

Exiting through the Keep’s thick wooden doors, Wynter then walked through the bailey, passing several buildings such as the brewery, bakehouse, and stables. People hung around said buildings or stood in the courtyard, talking. The fine hairs on her body lifted at the odd looks some slid her way. Others avoided meeting her eyes altogether. Lovely.

Yeah, she’d figured that Adam’s claims, threats, and very generous offers would garner her such attention. That asshole needed to have his insides ripped out.

Wynter notched up her chin and kept moving. She strolled through the arched opening in the stark walls that surrounded the Keep and bailey. Her home was thankfully only a short walk away.

Lots of residents were out and about, heading to work and getting stores ready to open. There was no denying that the medieval city was something to behold. Though it was modernized, there were no phones, no computers, no TVs. But that was part of what Wynter liked most about it. It wasn’t so much a place of technology as a place of preternatural power.

Venice-style canals networked through the city. Each of the Ancients had their very own Keep, and all were sporadically dotted throughout the place. There were also many houses, and no two looked exactly alike. They came in all styles.

Some were rustic and whimsical, like magical country hideouts. Some held a fairytale feel, such as the very singular gingerbread house. Others were old fashioned, featuring wattle walls and timber frames. Some were cute and enchanting, much like the cottage that Wynter and her coven occupied. Beyond all the buildings were rivers, mounds, forests, and caverns.

Residents could shop at the stores, eateries, baileys, or the market near the town hall. Most people spent their downtime going horseback riding, socializing at the taverns, or playing games such as golf and football in the large park.

Artificial sunlight shone down upon the city, but it didn’t stem from the aqua blue stalactites that hung from the cavernous ceiling. It came from the combined power of the Ancients. Beneath the hustle and bustle noise were the artificial sounds of birds cheeping and the flapping of wings. The slight breeze was equally fake yet more than refreshing.

Simulating real-life, the sunlight would gradually fade and eventually be replaced by moonlight, just as the daytime sounds would be replaced by the hooting of owls and chirping of crickets. As such, one could easily forget that the city was underground.

Wynter walked along cobbled path after cobbled path, doing her best to ignore the looks being slanted her way, letting her gaze roam over the Halloween props outside each house—scarecrows, skeletons, ghosts, door wreaths. But some people so very rudely stared at her that there was no ignoring them. They were always the first to look away when she met such bold stares, though.

Striding down her street toward her home, she saw that many of her lycan neighbors were stood around. They didn’t offer her odd glances or glares. They gave her nods or simple greetings. That was the thing about lycans, they were so territorial that they considered their closest neighbors under their protection, irrespective of whatever else might be happening. It was a comfort to know that none would be considering cashing in on the bounty. They’d instead be pissed about it on her behalf.

A relieved breath left her lungs as she finally reached the gate to her front yard. When she’d first seen the thatched-roof cottage from the outside, Wynter had thought it looked like a magical retreat. That “feel” had only deepened since the coven had added more and more personal touches to the exterior—hanging bells, garden gnomes, fairy castle sculptures, a wicca welcome mat, cauldron planters, and hanging baskets spilling with fern.

Of course, the current Halloween-y stuff only made it better. A row of witch hats bordered each side of the path. Synthetic cobwebs were attached to the doorframe. Pumpkins lay on straw either side of the doorstep. Fake ravens were dotted around the angular lattice windows. Hattie had rested some of the brooms from her very vast collection against the stone wall. And then there was Xavier’s contribution—a hand holding a red apple that he’d stuck to the front door near the knocker.

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