Page 67 of The Monster's Desire

“Why is he always making out with your murder victims?”

A terrible sound between a snort and a scoff comes out as I pull her into my arms.

“He’s devouring his soul.” She doesn’t fight my hand on her ass, and I revel in the contact. “Unlike when he reaps, that fucker is being devoured. He would have gotten 1260 years in the pit before his soul could be rehabilitated. That’s on the higher end of any number I’ve seen in centuries. Wraith is simply extinguishing his soul so that it no longer exists.”

“Huh,” Nadia says. “Why didn’t I die the day we met? When I was a kid, I mean.”

“Ehh, technically?” I grimace. “You did, but Wraith shoved your soul back inside your shell as the vampire—”

“Uncle Jack,” she says, cutting me off.

“Yes, Jack dosed you with vampire blood, and voilà. You survived.” I squeeze her hip to let her know just how grateful I am for that fact.

“Wow,” she whispers, clutching at me for support. “Thank you.”

Wraith has finished his meal, and he approaches slowly, as if he’s also concerned she might be afraid of him. “Of course.”

“Would someone like to explain exactly how I accidentally blood bonded the two of you to me?”

“Your blood summoned Malice. You were meant to close the portal, but you accidentally read the spell for tethering.” Wraith comes closer, and once he’s within reach, he runs his fingers over her cheek. “We’re not upset. It’s not a dark or evil thing to be shared between a witch and her demons.”

Nadia laughs. “A witch and her slightly delusional demons.”

“You’re awfully sassy. Just remember, you still owe me a trip over my knee.” I slap her ass.

She shivers in response. “Thank you.”

I laugh, giving her a dubious look. She won’t be thanking me when I’m done with her backside.

“Not for that.” She stretches up on her tiptoes to kiss Wraith’s cheek. “For showing up when I really needed someone I can trust.”

It’s very difficult not to do something exceptionally cliché, such as pumping my fist into the air. My shoulders pull back as pride thrums in my chest. I’m about the furthest thing in existence from a pride demon, but fuck me, those words from her lips fill me up with energy like I am one of those ridiculous fuckers.

“I think I should command—” Nadia cuts off as Wraith seals his mouth to hers. He wraps a forearm under her ass, lifting her into his chest. It’s actually a rather smooth transition for a virgin. I’m proud of him. He’s clearly been learning during our sessions with her.

“Once you command us to stay, I’ll only be able to return to Hell to deposit souls.” Wraith palms the back of her head. “There’s something we left behind that I’d rather not risk falling into the wrong hands. We weren’t expecting your summoning.”

“Didn’t I just see you a few days ago? I mean, the time in Haven was only shortly before the time here in North Falls, right?” She frowns. “God, is that all it was? It feels like it’s been ages since then.”

“Time moves differently in all the realms. Heaven is the slowest, followed by Faere, then Earth, and finally Hell. Since time moves fastest in Hell, it’s been quite a bit longer for us, doll.” I shrug at the look of shock all over her face. “It’s just the way of the universe.”

“How long?” she asks, blinking huge blue eyes.

“Several weeks since Haven, but it’s no matter,” Wraith says, like he didn’t sit around complaining the same way I did.

“Shit.” She blanches. “What about your friend? Is he still in Haven?” She gasps, slapping at his arm. “Okay, that makes so much more sense. I couldn’t understand why Kash calledme,of all people.”

“That would be Malice.” I chuckle. He’d never truly put Nadia in danger because he knows the two of us would obliterate him if he did. “But what exactly did he do?”

Nadia goes on to explain about the wyvern. If her magic wasn’t acting shady, then I wouldn’t be quite so furious right now. Malice was fully capable of releasing the creature in his shadow form without putting Nadia at risk. It’s hard to get the jump on a nightmare, but I owe him a solid right hook or a kick in the balls.

“Wait, how are you holding this for so long? The other night, it was only a few moments that you held time for.” She frowns, running her hand over his neck, and an unnatural pang of jealousy rips through my chest.

“I just got a massive boost from devouring that rotten creature’s soul,” Wraith says calmly. “Although, I don’t think I should hold it much longer.”

“You should return to your original location,” I suggest.

Nadia nods. “But when can I call for you again? Please don’t make me forget you this time.” She kisses Wraith’s cheek and comes to me.

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