Page 54 of Devour the Dark

She nods. “And bank accounts.”

We make it to the back of the shop. Vane and Asha have decided on a green dress for Winnie, and while I took Winnie for a person who likes to be in charge of her own destiny, she gives no resistance, proving that perhaps she is the most measured woman I’ve ever met.

I like her more and more every minute.

Asha decides on a billowy black dress—“To hide my weapons”—and Vane picks out a tux.

While they finalize the sales, I admire a gorgeous red dress on a mannequin nestled in an arched alcove. The bodice is formfitting with hundreds of sequins sewn into it. The skirt is layers and layers of tulle, but there’s a slit just off center to show off the wearer’s thigh.

“This one too,” I hear Roc say behind me.

“That’s an excellent selection.” Antony sidles up near me. “With your complexion, and dark hair, it’ll look fabulous on you.”

“Oh. No. I mean, I don’t have any money and this must cost a fortune.” I meet Roc’s gaze. He’s not looking at the dress, but directly at me, when he says, “Take it off the floor, Antony. Charge it to my tab.”

Antony winks at me. “Right away.”

A few workers appear from the back and all of our purchases are folded and backed into tissue, then into boxes.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say to Roc. “I have no occasion to wear it. It’s a waste of your money.”

“Oh I didn’t buy it for you,” he answers.

“I’m confused.”

“It was mostly self-serving. I wanted the opportunity to rip it from your body sometime in the near future.” He winks at me.

A blush burns through my cheeks.

“And that, Your Majesty, is exactly why I bought that dress. Impropriety makes you flush and I find it fucking hot. I will have you begging for depravity before long.”

Antony calls him away, leaving me blinking at the now naked mannequin, face burning, liquid heat pooling between my legs.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ROC

The blood is wearingoff faster and faster.

He watches them discuss the plan.

He watches them slip into the clothing. The dresses. The tux.

He lights a cigarette to take the edge off. Downs a shot of expensive rum. Then another. He can’t sit still. If he sits still, he slips.

He needs more of Vane’s blood, but he can’t keep chugging it back. Where they’re from, there is a cost to everything and eventually there will be a cost to this too.

The light at the end of the tunnel fades.

Don’t worry,the witch says.I’ll take care of you.

He can hear Wendy’s voice, the rising lilt of it.

It reminds him of wind rushing through leaves.

A lull.

A lull.

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