Page 20 of Her Tortured Beasts

Eyes with gold, silver and emerald irises greedily rake down my form. I’m the pauper of the evening, with not a single jewel on me, not even an earring.

Far at the back of things, at the edge of the shadows, stands Damien Agnis, looking even peakier by the contrast of his black tuxedo. In his left hand he holds the glass cage with my poor nimpins, all of whom sit depressed at the floor, huddled together. When the phoenix catches my eye, he raises a finger and taps the side of his nose, as if we have some cute little secret between us.

I cut away from his poisoned gaze, tampering down the mixture of rage and nausea that fills me. All of that to ensure I wouldn’tdoanything tonight.

Xander stops at the end of the platform, and I stop just in time to leave those decreed five steps as the applause dies down.

Arrogance drips off his stance, and power ripples around him like the unfurling of two dark wings. Goosebumps erupt all over my body, and from the ever so slight shift in his audience, they feel it too.

“Good evening,” Xander drawls, his deep voice having no trouble reaching out around the entire garden and creating a buzz over my own skin. “I’d like to thank my parents forwelcoming my return to the family. I am happy to be back.” Xander bows towards his parents, standing at the head of the crowd, while there’s a smattering of polite clapping.

Me? I just stand there awkwardly, trying not to look like the royal fool with a collar and leash around her throat.

“And thank you all for coming to celebrate with us tonight. I look forward to meeting you all and reintroducing myself.” I can tell he’s smirking as he glances around because more than a few of the ladies, young and old, give coy smiles of their own.

Flirtatious bastard.

The music strikes up again, and I cast my own eye about as Xander steps off the platform and heads into the crowd. I hurry to follow, and dragons surge forward to be the first to greet him, extending hands and smiles.

It’s then that I see why I’ve been brought along. Once they’ve had their fill of the prodigal son, the dragons start eyeing me more closely. Flores wasn’t kidding when he said they’re very interested. Though they keep a respectful distance, their eyes are positively aglow with curiosity. Taller than other beasts, even the women reaching over six feet, I feel like athingbeing inspected by threatening, alien beings.

When I made my debut at The Jewel of the Jungle with Scythe, I’d felt like a prize. They’d dressed me up as a jewel of their own and I’d felt, for the first time in my life, like something precious. And here, I realise that I still am.

I’m still a jewel. A status symbol. The other dragons might have the biggest emeralds and rubies, the biggest hunks of gold that find their value in their scarcity, but Xander has the biggest jewel in his treasure trove. The Last Boneweaver.

“My daughter,” comes a deep, feminine voice that drags my attention back to the hand Xander is currently kissing. “You might remember her from your youth. Miss Nadine Chen.”

“Of course.” Xander’s deep, seductive drawl stirs something in my lower belly. “You have blossomed into adulthood, my lady.”

I could vomit. Ishouldvomit right on the backs of his expensive black shoes as Xander straightens and stares into the eyes of a porcelain-skinned young woman with almond eyes and cropped black hair. “Will you come and see the new fairy lights we’ve had installed?”

“Call me Nadine, please,” she purrs in return.

Quite suddenly, the crowd parts for them as Nadine places a hand on Xander’s offered arm and they stroll away.

They’retaking a turnabout the garden as if they’re courting. I seethe internally, trying not to show it to the dragons staring at me, settling on clenching my teeth instead. He’s completely shoving this in my face as I watch him lean down to murmur something in her ear.

Heat claws at my insides as the urge to singe the both of them almost gets the better of me.

“Oh!” Nadine abruptly pipes when we are a good distance from the crowd. “Your new pet!” She half turns to stare rudely at me. “Can it do tricks?”

Xander takes a beat to turn, telling me he’s annoyed with the subject choice. “I suppose.” He keeps his voice bored. “Serpent Spawn, show Nadine what you can do.”

I raise my chin. “What would you like to see?”

Nadine grins excitedly, stepping close to Xander and hooking her arm into his, all flirty and shit. “Can you really shift intoanycreature?”

“Any I’ve been in contact with.”

“What about insects?”

I scoff in disgust. “They’re not animals, are they, Nadine?”

“Watch your attitude,” Xander snaps.

I glare at him.

He smirks with a sudden thought. “Nadine, think of the most embarrassing creature.”

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