Page 296 of Evil Hearts

You’ve sunk to a new low, Syn.

I grab the heavy golden door knocker and pound it against the sturdy wood of the door several times before taking a step back and waiting patiently for someone to answer.

Mistress Raiine and I go way back, back to before she owned the mansion. Back to when she didn’t have any wealth or power. Unlike me, she wasn’t born into money, and she’s clawed her way up the social ladder in the monster world by being ruthlessly cunning and cold-hearted. I admire that about her. What shewants, she gets, and if it isn’t readily available, she’ll find a way to procure it.

I spend another second rocking back and forth on my heels, doubt creeping into my mind. Am I really about to go through with this? Can I live with myself knowing I’ve sought out a human lover when I have queues of monsters begging for a chance to sleep with me already? I could just as easily fall into bed with one of them, but I know it won’t sate the curiosity burning through my blood. Will this man even live up to the astoundingly high expectations I’ve set in my mind?

Before I can answer any of the questions blazing through my thoughts, the door in front of me swings inward, and I’m met by a red-skinned monster in a black suit. He has impossibly black eyes and sharp fangs, with black ram horns curling back over his head.

“Monstress Syn,” he says, with a slight bow.

I dip my head in response. “Danton.”

“What a pleasant surprise. Should I call for Mistress Raiine?”

“No,” I say quickly, keeping my composure even though I’m shaking with nerves internally. “That won’t be necessary. I’m actually here to…” I hesitate before the words come to me. “Utilize the services.”

Yes, that sounds much better than ‘I want to be fucked senseless by one of your sex slaves’.

His eyebrows shift upward slightly, and even though he tries to hide it, I can tell he’s just as shocked by my request as I am.

“Of course,” he says, his professionalism snapping back into place. He steps aside to let me in. “Right this way.”

The entryway of the mansion is lavish, dripping with beautiful fabric, coveted artwork, and a plush carpet that runs the length of the hallway. Three chandeliers hang evenly spaced from the high ceiling overhead, raining down glittering shards of light,and flaming lanterns adorn the walls. The space is gaudy and stuffy, but it works.

I’ve been here enough times to know the layout of the first level, but I’ve never been given a full tour of the place. As far as the rest of the mansion, I have no clue what to expect.

“Do you already have an account set up with us?” Danton asks as we make our way down the hall.

I withhold a smirk, amused by his persistent professionalism. We’re speaking as casually as we would at the bank, and not like I’ll be getting bent over and railed shortly. I stifle a chuckle.

“No. I don’t.”

We hang a left at the end of the hall and make our way toward a staircase leading to the second floor.

“No worries. I’ll let the mistress know, and we’ll get everything sorted,” Danton says, leading the way upstairs. “Do you have any particular requests of our employees? Any specific monster you’d like to work with?”

The shapeshifter comes to mind, and my stomach knots into a ball. I’ve thought about this moment countless times and imagined what he’ll be like, what he’ll look like. I’ve dreamed of the ways he’ll touch me, fuck me, and now that I’m here, it’s hard to believe.

I follow Danton in silence to the top of the stairs, holding up the end of my slinky pink dress to keep from stepping on it. It’s not the most practical for getting around, but one pull of the string behind my neck will have it dancing to the floor. Easy access.

Danton wheels around to face me, and I stumble to a stop in front of him. He wants my answer.

“I’ve heard about… the shapeshifter.”

My cheeks singe with heat, but if he notices me blushing, he doesn’t say anything. Thank the Mother Monstress. I’m notnormally this frazzled, but the doubt creeping into my thoughts inhibits my confidence.

I’m beginning to realize how stupid it was to come here. I clearly have no idea what I’m doing.

“Ah, yes. Monster Fucker. I’ll have him brought up.” He spins back around and heads off down the hallway with me on his heels. “Did you have any other requests before I send for him?”

I chew the corner of my mouth as I consider his question. What kind of requests do monsters typically make in this situation? Am I supposed to divulge my favorite positions and ways to orgasm to Mistress Raiine’s butler so candidly? Surely not, but I’m too nervous to ask.

“No,” I finally say. “Nothing else.”

I’ll take whatever the shapeshifter has to offer.

Besides, if he’s as incredible as people say, he should be able to figure out what I like without being given instructions. I’ll find out firsthand if he lives up to the hype surrounding his name.

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