Page 36 of The Bones of the Cursed

I keep my gaze trained on the dark-haired human. She is flawless. If it weren’t for her smell and her rounded ears, I would assume she was Fae. Her face is delicate, with strong cheekbones speckled in freckles. Her lips are plump and pink, and I would love to bite them.

I can hear her pulse beating rapidly, like a war drum. Is she scared, or is it something else? I sniff the air and smirk.

Something else, then.

No wonder Kailu is so stiff; I can smell him all over the human. I bet he’s real pissed she’s physically attracted to me.

I take in her figure. She’s of average height, but nothing else about her body is average. She is toned in all the right places. Her skinny waist leads to her wider hips and perfectly shapedass, more than enough to grab onto…or slap.

Internally I groan, my thoughts effectively sidetracked.

“Malakai, what are you doing here?” Kailu asks, ripping me out of my very spicy daydream about his human companion.

I reluctantly drag my eyes from her. “If you must know, I’m investigating.”

“Investigating what?” she asks, moving a wayward strand of hair from her face.

Dear Gods, her voice is like sex, soft but deep.

“Well, aren’t you the inquisitive one? If you all must know my business, I’m investigating the ghoul and Witch attacks.”

The little firecracker steps around Kailu and I can hear the low rumble in his chest showing his displeasure.

“And this so-called investigation led you here?”

I take a deep breath. She smells of something fruity, a hint of mint, and salt, like when a breeze blows off the ocean. It’s an intoxicating, heady scent. “It sounds as if you don’t believe me, Firecracker. I’m wounded.” I place a hand to my chest for dramatics.

I take a step forward to stand directly in front of her. Kailu matches my step with one of his own so he is now pressed firmly against her back.

“Well, isn’t this a cozy little Fae and human sandwich,” I muse. “Wouldn’t mind taking a bite out of it myself.”

Kailu’s anger is visible. I’m not too worried; I always was faster than him. All the same, I take a step back.

“I truly am investigating. Attacks are becoming more common; the threat is now considered to be the highest level. The king was becoming worried about our missing citizens as well. He was even more concerned after receiving a letter from Siveral about the soldiers.”

“How long have you been here?” the human asks, assessing me with a shrewd gaze.

I shrug. “Not long, about a day or two. I was dealing with some…issues in Vrolstead, and then investigating the surrounding forests, so I was close. The people I came across spoke of weird happenings in the cave.” I look around, “Well, weirder than usual, I suppose.”

“Did you happen to find anything?”

I chuckle. “Maybe I’ll tell you, if you tell me why you are all down in this cave.”

Kailu steps in front of the human again. “For the missing soldiers. One is her brother.”

My eyebrows raise. “Well, it seems we may be able to help each other. You tell me what you’ve found and I’ll tell you what I know. We might be able to work together, as long as Kailu is all right with it.” I flash him a saccharine smile.

Kailu tenses and then looks around. Everyone else seems to be all right with this turn of events, if not a little eager to pretend we’re not having this little stand-off right in front of them. Perhaps the group may need some help. He reluctantly turns to me, relaying what they have seen and found since starting their journey.

To say I am shocked would be an understatement. Why would someone be so determined to hunt this human? Alanis is absolutely delightful, but what about her is important enough for all this fanfare?

It’s the male Elf who speaks. “There’s something else.”

Kailu jerks his head to the Elf, making me smirk. What is the holier-than-thou Kailu hiding?

The male Elf informs us of what he and his companion came across when examining the human. It’s an interesting and somewhat troubling turn of events, one that makes me take a closer look at the woman in front of me. By her expression, she had no idea about any of this. I watch her face change—from shock, to betrayal, and finally to anger.

She whirls to face Kailu, leaving her back exposed to me. Very dangerous decision.

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