Page 11 of All Hallows Trick

“The bastard left no trace,” Madde replied, a roughness entering his voice. Along with the curse, it made my gut tighten, a tiny tremor going across my shoulder blades. Not fear exactly, but awareness of how dangerous this god was. “That was the first thing I tried, but there’s not even an echo of him. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Theme of the night,” I muttered, thinking of his comment about my eyes. They were grey but not especially unique. It was just another piece of his flattery and seduction puzzle, and I wishI knew how I felt about it, but my head was full of cotton wool. “Do you know who he was?”

“Not a clue,” he replied far too cheerfully. His moods were confusing as fuck. Whiplash was definitely the word for them. “But I’m happy it bought me some quality time with you, lioness.”

“Why do you call me that?” I asked, not looking at him, my stare tracing the network of roads in the town, searching for anything out of place, any lurking shadow. Paranoia told me he was one of Nightmare’s followers watching me, but how would they get into Death’s domain? This was the only place I was safe; I wouldn’t wreck the peace I found here by letting fear win.

“It’s what you are,” Madde replied and did not elaborate. “Do you like statues?”

“I—what?”

His hands fell on my shoulders, twin spots of warmth blooming in the cold night. “Statues? Do you like them.”

“As long as they’re not coming to life and trying to murder me,” I hedged, struggling to follow his train of thought.1

He nodded decisively, the moonlight lovingly bathing his freckled face and bright eyes in silver beauty. “Then I’ll get you one. Are you cold? You’re shivering. Let’s go back.”

“Wait,” I rushed out when shadows began to gather around us, their heat seeping into my muscles. The darkness paused, Madde’s head tilting as he watched me, waiting for me to speak. “Don’t drop me, okay?”

“Cactus,” he murmured, taking my hand and lifting it. My heart catapulted itself at my ribs when I saw my fingers were tipped with small, ivory claws. Oh, god. Oh, fuck no. I couldn’t shift here. I didn’t want to changeever.I didn’t want to be a—

My thoughts ground to a halt when Madde kissed my clawed fingers one after another. Betrayal squirmed through mystomach like sickness but I couldn’t help the way the soft brush of his mouth soothed my rush of panic, slowing its flow.

“I would rather cut out my rib and fashion it into a crown for you to wear than relax my grip even a fraction.”

Um. What did you say to a declaration like that?

“Okay.”

His answering smiled filled his whole face, any danger to him hidden by joy. “I’m happy you trust me, lioness. Those really are pretty eyes. Are they usually black?”

“Are they…” My heart tripped into my ribs. “No? Not usually?”

“Magical,” he sighed. “Put your hands on my chest again. Hold on tight.”

There was no chance to reply to any of the madness he murmured; I gripped his shirt and closed my eyes as hot-cold darkness swallowed us.

“I’ll see you at breakfast, honey,” he said when his shadows set me on the balcony with reverent care. I lifted my head, opening my mouth to reply, the warm fabric of his shirt slipping out of my fingers. But when I opened my eyes, I was alone on the balcony, shaken and… conflicted.

CHAPTER FOUR

CAT

Gentle hands woke me, fingertips taking a meandering path down my side to my hips. With my eyes closed, I didn’t know whose weight settled between my legs until braids stroked over my chest and soft lips placed open-mouthed kisses on my throat, making me melt into the cushions.

“Hi, daddy,” I breathed, stretching under him.

Another slow, sucking kiss to my neck. “Good morning, little one.”

I hitched my right leg up and wrapped it around his thigh, languid pleasure flowing through me at his weight above me, his lips kissing along my jaw, tingles concentrating in all the places we touched. I was warm and wet and surrounded by his muscle, skin pressed to my skin, his burnt sugar scent sweetening my senses when I inhaled a long breath. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this relaxed.

“What happened to my pyjamas?” I asked with a soft laugh.

“You don’t need them.”

“And my underwear?”

“Lost forever, I fear.”

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