Page 79 of Virgin Lust

“All right,” Grim interrupted. “We have a lot of work to do.”

“You really need to stop leaving me out of the loop.” I turned as the unfamiliar voice spoke. “How could you kill pieced together monsters without me?”

I frowned, not recognizing the tattooed male, but he smirked at Grim. Was he a friend of his? If so, why did Grim’s forehead crease the second he spotted the newcomer?

“And where’s that ungrateful son of mine?” The man’s gaze bounced around the area.

Sebastian pointed toward the billowing smoke. “He’s right…” Sebastian’s words died, and then he exhaled. “Well, hewasright there guiding souls. You know Payne. All work and no—”

“Fear, where’s Joy?” Grim asked, interrupting his son.

What kind of name was that?

Fear arched a brow and then smiled. “Well, well. Does that mean Payne’s finally got his head out of his ass and started treating my future daughter-in-law better?”

“Not going to happen.” August glowered at Payne’s dad.

“I second that,” Sebastian agreed.

“Ryan,” Grim said urgently. All eyes turned to him. “You’re supposed to be with her.”

“Why would I be with her?” Fear frowned. Or was it Ryan? Grim used both names.

“Because I asked you to stay by her side after the human festival. You agreed.”

Fear frowned. “Grim, you never asked me.”

“Yes, I did, and I’ve seen you with her a few times!”

“Grim, what are you talking about? You got a proxy to stay with Joy,” Sebastian said, his brows knitting together as he watched his father.

“That guy is a proxy?” August’s jaw tightened. “Why would you ask for help from one?”

“Who are you talking about?” Grim demanded. “I brought no one in we didn’t know!”

“But you did,” Sebastian told him.

“No, I didn’t. I spoke to Ryan, and he agreed.” Grim gripped his head and swayed. August and Sebastian caught him, but he pushed them away. “If I didn’t speak to Ryan, then who did I speak to? Who dared trick me?” Grim shouted. “Where’s Joy?”

“Why are you wearing gloves?” August looked at Grim as he grabbed one of his hands. Grim pulled away. “Dad.”

I’d never heard any of his sons call him that. It appeared to surprise Grim too. He gaped then looked away, but his voice was softer when he spoke. “It’s nothing. Let’s just find your sisters. I have a bad feeling.”

I shouldn’t have left Prudence alone. My muscles tensed as I watched Grim. I didn’t know if it was the urgent way he acted, but something didn’t feel right. My stomach churned. The man with us wasn’t the one I’d seen Prudence’s sister with, and his name most certainly wasn’t Fear or Ryan. It was Derrick.

“I’m leaving,” I said to no one in particular.They didn’t need my help anymore, and each second away from Prudence was agonizing. My bones ached, and my throat tightened.

“Grim. Boys,” Fear murmured before materializing a blade and holding it up. “Behindyou.”

I heard the moaning first. Then there was a whizz in the air, followed by clacking like something was smacking together. Then I glanced behind them, my form rippling as I peered through the smoke.

What. The. Fuck.

The body parts that erupted from the dead monster floated in the air until it connected with other limbs. A head slapped into a torso with one leg. The same happened with two legs and a head—yes, it shouldn’t have been possible, a head sitting atop a pair of legs, but… They dropped to the ashy ground and walked forward. The ones with no legs propelled themselves forward if they had an arm. It was like watching magnets slap together. Onethinghad three legs and a torso. Another was an ogre intact besides his head with tentacles attaching themselves to his back.I’m not seeing this.The flaming beast had been easier for my brain to handle. My mouth dropped as I shook my head. But these whatever-they-were… They clunked together and formed a horde ofsomethingright in front of me.

And God, the moaning. The bodies without legs dragged themselves forward, raking up the ashes. It was unnatural.

Petals fell around me when I sensed Prudence’s distress. My lungs ceased to work as fear gripped me. I gasped.Prudence’sfear. Not mine.

---