Page 100 of The Monsters We Are

Well, of course the merciless shit did. “Not all the people in the courts and packs and covens actually care for each other, though. Some have only gathered together because there’s safety in numbers.” Wynter curled her arms around his neck and melted into him, hoping to calm and soothe him, but it was truly like pressing her body against a brick wall. “Besides, peoplearethinking twice before trying to cash in on the bounty.”

He shot her a look of incredulity. “Today’s events would suggest differently.”

“Before that, it had been a while before anyone tried to kidnap me, though, hadn’t it? And it wasn’t until Adam upped the bounty that someone was tempted enough to take a chance. Considering the fey dramatically failed, I doubt anyone else will bother to try. But if you really want to be sure of that, torture your new fey prisoners in public the way you did Shelia.”

He grunted. “I just might do that.” Cupping her hips, he dropped his forehead to hers. “Thank fuck you sensed that you were trapped in an illusion, though I have no idea how you did. Fey magick is very powerful. You shouldn’t have been able to see through it.”

“I had a little help from my monster and Kali.”

“Still, you technically shouldn’t have seen flickers of reality around you as soon as you did. That shouldn’t have happened for at least a few hours.”

Wynter raised and then dropped her shoulder, feeling her mouth curve. “What can I say? I’m awesome that way.” She trailed her fingertips over his nape. “Neither of us have had dinner yet, and the cupcakes I ate didn’t fully hit the spot. Shall we go eat?”

He lifted his head. “I’d much rather slaughter the prisoners’ entire court.”

She could tell he genuinely meant it. Worse, he was sincerely considering it. “Hmm, how about you just fuck me instead?”

He gave her an imperious look. “Do you think you can distract me with sex?”

“What I think is that you’d find it a much more satisfying outlet than murdering innocent fey. Am I wrong?”Please don’t let me be wrong.

The mouth he’d set into a harsh line very slowly began to curl. “No. No, you’re not whatsoever wrong.”

Thank God for that.“Then do me.”

His eyes flared. “It’ll be hard. Rough. You’ll feel how pissed I am in every thrust, and you’ll hurt for me. A lot.”

“Promises, promises.”

They were promises he lived up to.

Chapter Twenty-One

The following evening, Wynter breezed through the city hall with Cain and her coven as they searched for their allocated seats. The Samhain ball was in full swing. Most people sat at the rows of long-ass tables while others danced to the live folk music.

The decorations were more wicca than Halloween-y. Pumpkins, brooms, candles, and bells were scattered here and there, and some were even used as table centerpieces. The colors orange and black were of course used in the décor—orange to symbolize the dawning of light, and black to represent death and the fading of light.

A bonfire crackled in the middle of the hall. It wasn’t natural, of course, it was a product of magick powered by the element of fire. It was thereby harmless, gave off no smoke, and could be extinguished by the click of someone’s fingers . . . disappearing as if it had never been. Wynter was impressed.

As they located their seats, Hattie glanced around. “No butlers in the buff tonight either?” She sighed. “These people have no imagination.”

Wynter rolled her eyes. “Sit, perve.”

As they all claimed their designated seats—placing Wynter between Cain and Xavier—she looked up at the Ancient. His tension was visible in the hard line of his jaw. There was little chance of him being fully relaxed. After all, so many of his current plans rode on whether he was able to punch a hole through his cage tonight. She was a little on edge herself.

She suspected that some of the stiffness in his muscles was also due to the anger he hadn’t yet fully shaken off after “the fey incident”, as her coven referred to it. Not even torturing their pals in public earlier had eased his rage.

No doubt sensing she was watching him, Cain met her eyes. He splayed his hand on her thigh and gave it a little squeeze. “You okay?”

She nodded. “But you made me a promise before we left, and I’ve noticed you’re not sticking to it,” she teased. The promise? That he’d be a lot less tense if she sucked him off.

His lips curved. “I returned a . . . certain favor, though, didn’t I?”

He had indeed eaten her out, making her come with his mouth alone. The orgasm had nonetheless been just as powerful as when he used every sexual weapon in his arsenal. Well, the dude had had a millennia to perfect his skills. They were nothing short of top-notch. “You did. And it was very much appreciated.”

Delilah took a slice of the complimentary pumpkin bread from the basket in the center of the table. “I hope it’s not long before the feast begins. Feeling kind of hangry over here.” She bit into the bread and groaned. “Damn, this is good.”

Hattie snatched a slice for herself and took a bite. “Mm, very good. Not as good as butlers in the buff would have been, but I suppose I’ll have to take what I can get.”

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