Page 69 of The Monster's Desire

The vampire zips over, studies Nadia for a half a second, and very unceremoniously tosses her over his shoulder before disappearing from sight.

“Don’t make a single move to get involved,” Ridge growls at the enforcers lining Trace’s back. “This isn’t an alpha challenge. I owe my little brother some retribution.” Ridge pivots, landing a hell of a left hook. Shit, immediately followed by a solid right. Then he’s tossing himself at his brother. “You and I are going to have a heart-to-heart talk.”

Trace hits the ground with a heavy thump. Ridge lands over him, continuing the barrage of punches, but he obviously doesn’t want to kill his brother, because he moves to landing hits against his core.

The enforcers stand, blinking, and they don’t interfere. Perhaps this is normal brotherly behavior, or possibly, they don’t want to be on the receiving end of those solid punches.

“We’re slipping,” Wraith says, but he doesn’t sound angry about it. I’m not either. She commanded us back in twelve hours. Meaning, we need to secure the relic and lock down our apartment in Hell before making the trip permanently to the human realm.

I rub my hands together. I can’t fucking wait to finally sink inside my naughty little witch. With that, Wraith and I are pulled back to Hell.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Nadia

Echo chucks me into his car for the most uncomfortable ride in existence. Fury wafts off him in waves. My chin tilts in the air as I glance out the window. Okay, so I definitely look like an idiot for getting myself into something I couldn’t control. However, my magic has never failed me so epically until I came to North Falls.

I need to get out of this town, which is practically impossible with the council’s compulsion. I should have tested whether I could ask Wraith or Knight to pass on a message. Maybe they could pop into Haven and visit The Den.

“I’d like to check on Milania, if that’s possible?” I ask to break the incredibly awkward silence.

Echo grunts. “Once we move to the next runestone. You’re more optimistic than me if you don’t believe the council has eyes on us at all times.”

“Is that where we’re headed?”

“Hardly. We’re going to my apartment to regroup. They’re probably wondering why the hell we were on pack lands to begin with. The last thing we need is to draw them directly to the newly turned fae.” His hand flexes on the steering wheel.

Echo also has strong forearms, at least the one currently flexing as he drives. He’s covered in black tattoos. His right hand has a galaxy pattern that swirls into planets around his wrist and up his forearm.

“Why do you live there?” I ask conversationally, but truthfully, it’s been bugging me. I’m surprised he didn’t live with Imogen. At least, until the maker bond is severed, it’s rare for progeny to be away from their creator. I mean, as far as I’ve been taught, it is. “I’m sure Imogen isn’t used to letting you out of her sight for long.”

Echo scoffs, pulling his hand down to shift gears. My knees actually clench as he downshifts. I’m not sure why that’s so sexy, but here we are. “It’s my job, or it was before I became your walking, talking blood bag. I manage the club and keep everyone in line. It’s not like I’m scheduling appointments, but that’s the employment I was given.”

“I’m sure it’s not so bad.” My eyes are still focused on the way his forearm flexes as he downshifts again. “I love my job. Even on my days off, I still end up at The Den or Venom. That’s the nightclub, but to be honest, that might be because Haven doesn’t have a lot of other nightlife.”

Echo shakes his head. “North Falls is not Haven. The Mirage is an apt name for what that place provides.”

My heart drops. I don’t like the sound of that one bit. “And you actively help the council keep that place in business?”

I’m all for sex work and monsters fucking each other to their hearts’ content, but I draw the line at coercion.

“As I’ve extensively pointed out,” he says in a clipped tone, “I was physicallyincapableof denying a command issued by my maker until you dissolved our bond. Now I get the joy of being commanded by an altruistic, but suicidal, witch.”

I scoff. “I’m neither of those things, but I am going to burn that damn council to the ground on my way out of town.”

“Not everyone at The Mirage is innocent.” Echo sighs, taking a turn that leads us into the main area of North Falls. “Some are reasonably indebted to the council by their own choices and deals they struck. A few, I feel especially bad for, but if you get us all murdered by pulling another stunt like today, then they’ll truly have no chance at respite.”

I bristle, tossing myself even farther back into the leather seat, but he’s right. It’s freaking bizarre. I don’t like needing to rely on anyone else, but at the same time, I’m not so independent that I can’t see the value of having a team.

“I’m sorry that I commanded you not to interfere.” I gasp as Echo whips his car into the back parking lot near the pool and his apartment. “Not immortal. Just a reminder.”

“You’re such a pain in the ass, baby darkling.” He pulls into a spot, shutting off the car. It’s still bright out. I start to freak out a little, but my door opens and my seat belt gets unclipped before I can do much more than blink.

Echo lifts me and zips us inside. The ward sizzles, letting me know someone crossed it while I was out. I wait for any lingering feelings to indicate someone else was here while we were gone, but outside of Echo, it’s clear no one was.

“Stay.” Echo places me on my feet. He’s gone in the next instant, and I feel him leave the ward through the door. It’s strange.

He’s only gone a few moments, but I need a drink. He’s got quite the freezer stocked full of liquor and the cabinet next to the fridge, from what I remember.

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