Page 61 of Chaos

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It was one thing when I didn’t know better, but now I did. If I allowed myself to take him up on his offer, I would be the worst sort of monster. I could not use him like that.

“No, Chaos. I’m not yours. This”—I motioned between us—“is a bad idea. It can’t happen.”

Frustration settled across his face. “You’re wrong. It’s not an if. It’s a when. Resisting the pull between us is futile, Red. We both know it.”

I tugged myself free of his orbit once more. “I’m going to change.”

Chaos didn’t follow me as I gathered some clothes and went into the bathroom for privacy. Once the door was shut, I leaned against the wood and heaved a sigh as the weight of reality set in.

He might be right. We may be fighting a losing battle. But not for the reason he thought. I couldn’t tell him he was under the influence of my out-of-control power. That his body thought we were supposed to be together for one reason and one reason alone. I’d turned him into some sort of unwitting addict.

He’d never forgive me if he found out I’d caught him in my snare.

Just like I’d never forgive myself.

Chapter

Fifteen

LUCIFER

“When I find her, I want you to do everything in your power to bring her to me. Everyone else has been a failure so far.” I shot a pointed look at Famine, who was still bound to the wall though I’d since gagged her for good measure, then returned my attention to Greed.

She was the most beautiful of the Princes, interestingly enough. One might have expected Lust or Pride, perhaps even Envy, to claim that prize, but it was Greed. My theory was that when she was being created, her nature stole just a little bit more than everyone was given. Although I suppose the reason why didn’t really matter. It was simply fact.

“My Knights and I are ready and waiting, my king.”

So deferential. Just the way I liked my Princes.

“Of course they are. You want all the glory for yourself, don’t you?”

She smirked. “Is there any other way to claim it? Sharing is for suckers and the bleeding hearts. The winner takes it all is a saying for a reason.”

“Oh, how I wish you’d been first to be released. We’d likely already be registering for baby gifts,” I mused.

“There’s still time, my king. I only need to be pointed in the right direction.”

“Yes,” I drawled. “And I think I know how we can do that.”

Her smile stretched. “Of course you do. Shall I leave you to it, then?”

I waved a hand. “You might as well stay and watch. This shouldn’t take long.”

Oh, wait a bloody minute. A beyond brilliant idea sparked to life as I prepared to step into my Merri’s dream. Holding out my hand, I glanced from Greed’s palm to my own. “What are you waiting for? Come on, then.”

“You want me to dreamwalk? My king, I can’t. I don’t have that?—”

“I don’t want you to join me. I simply want to show you what I’m seeing. Two sets of eyes are better than one. Now take my hand before I chain you up the same as Famine.”

Her skin skated over mine, hesitant at first.

“Oh, don’t be so precious. I’m not going to bite.” I grinned at her and snapped my teeth together. “Not yet, anyway.”

To her credit, she didn’t shy away. “If that’s what you require of me, my king.”

Such a good pet.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and reached out to find Merri’s subconscious. We were linked now, so it wasn’t much of a struggle. Before long, she’d be all mine. I was tired of being a figment of her imagination.