Page 46 of House of Demons and Bones

He’d just materialized, probably bored after losing track of me outside the House of Chaos. Cami trailed behind him.

Someone needed to tell Rock to trim those caterpillars above his eyes. Maybe I’d delegate that task to Pucker. The werewolf had stayed clear of the ghost guardian ever since I exposed Pucker’s drinking habit.

The chaos house now buzzed with gossip about Pucker’s midnight energy-drinking sprees. Members flocked to buy protective charms from the mages, filling Cade’s already deep pockets. Those too broke for charms resorted to lining their walls, windowsills, and doorways with salt and herbs—as if that could stop a determined poltergeist.

Pucker sulked about the whole thing. He was gravely offended.

“Why is your face so pale?” Rock’s wary gaze darted between me and the red door. Yet he didn’t seem shocked that I could enter the Queen’s Suite while others couldn’t. Grace had proved that point again.

“You don’t want to know, I assure you,” I said.

“Get going,” Killian ordered his men impatiently.

“Let’s go, Princess Grace,” Archer said.

They’d forgotten about her while fixating on me.

Grace struggled to her feet. “Barbie should not be here.”

“It’s none of your business,” Cami cut in. “Now, get out.”

Grace shot me another hateful look. “You’ll regret this.”

I smiled at her. “Bye, cupcake.”

Killian’s team whisked Grace away. Soon, she was out of my sight.

Killian moved closer, eyeing my bare feet. “Where’re your shoes?”

“Lost somewhere,” I sighed. “Lost in time, literally. Luckily, I got out in one piece. Prince Cade will probably lecture me about the house budget if I ask for new boots. He wouldn’t even fix the prison cell that I demolished—claimed the court is broke.” I turned to Cami with a hopeful smile. “Perhaps I can borrow your boots?”

She frowned at me. “We’re different sizes.”

“No worries,” I said. “I’ll wear extra socks.”

“You have boots in your spare room here,” Killian said. He must’ve snooped through my old room. “I’ll talk to Cade about any supplies you need, and he can put them on my tab.”

“That’s unnecessary.” I bristled. “Everyone knows that I don’t take charity!”

I preferred stealing, and now I regretted not swiping Grace’s boots while she was down. We were the same size, and since she’d tried to steal Killian, she owed me at least that much. I had let her off easy. Well, there was always next time.

I’ll keep the score,Sy said helpfully.

“Come, Barbie,” Killian ordered me. “I need a word.”

I bit my lip, my heart pounding, as I smothered the craving in my eyes and fixed him with an annoyed look. “What for?”

But he’d already turned back to his penthouse, his men blocking my exit.

14

Barbie

Istrutted into Killian’s penthouse with an attitude, my hands in my pockets, my golden curls bouncing.

The sitting room was plush with Persian rugs, white leather sofas, and million-dollar paintings. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased Underhill in the northwest and the valley of mist in the east.

I paused in the center of the room as memories rushed back. Last time I’d been here, in his bedroom, he had buried his face between my thighs. Then he’d returned to his betrothed and shattered my heart—all fake acts, I’d learned later. I never thought I’d come back here seeking him out.

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