Page 151 of Hell Bound

She snapped her fingers, and a passing waiter stopped dead, bowing to her politely.

“Get my dog a bowl,” she ordered, digging her fingers into my ruff. “Fill it with water.”

“Yes, Princess,” the servant said, already trying to slink off, but Sameera laughed.

“Water from thesewers.”

The horned servant raised his head, a hint of a question in his eyes, but at the look on Sameera’s face, he simply nodded and raced away before she could call him back.

“You haven’t performed well at pleasing me, Lucifer,” she said lightly, running her fingers over one of my ears. She traced her way to the pointed tip, then back down to the fleshier edge that met my skull. “I expect more enthusiasm from you in my company.”

I growled when she pinched, piercing my ear with her sharp nails. Blood trickled through my fur.

“That’s better.” Sameera smirked as Braith passed us, watching her and me with wounded eyes. “Come, Lady Braith. Have you met my new pet?”

The Spectral girl stopped, clearly reluctant to speak to the Tainted princess. “We’ve met, Princess Sameera.”

Her jealousy was unconcealed, and Sameera soaked it up, caressing me with her bloodied nails.

“Would you call him a fine specimen?” Sameera looked me over. “In demon form, he’s quite well endowed. I wonder what it would be like to rut him as a wolf.”

Braith couldn’t quite disguise the look in her eyes as Sameera laughed.

“You poor, provincial girl. Your parents have sheltered you, haven’t they?” Sameera plucked another glass of blood wine from a passing servant. “Asmodeus throws the best parties, becauseanythinggoes.”

“If you say so,” Braith muttered, and for the first time I found myself feeling genuine pity for her.

Bite her hand off, Commander. Pypentha’s acid tones came through the mental bond.If anything goes…

I managed to huff out a mental laugh, even though I didn’t feel it.

Nothing was amusing anymore.

Especially not when I caught sight of Sorath pouring a glass of sticky liquor over Deasley’s fur, staining his gray pelt a muddy blue.

I wanted to ignite, rip this leash apart, tear out Sameera’s throat, ignite this whole fucking ballroom of imbeciles and their sycophants until they were ash.

Deasley took the humiliation stoically, meeting my eyes across the room.

Sameera was speaking, her hand possessively on my back, when I caught the scent that drove everything else to the background.

It was nauseating—the smell of filth and sickness, the scent of the dungeon.

But under it… warmth and apple blossoms.

She was close.

Do any of you see her?

Deasley blinked.No. And I hope she stays away if she gets the chance.

Not here, Jovran said from his position near the dais.Commander, she was in the dungeons. She won’t be in a fit state to come tonight…

As if from a distance, I felt Sameera pull the leash. Felt the curse forcing me to follow after her, even as I cast my eyes around the swirling dancers and courtiers trying to one-up each other in conversation, but there was no sign of her.

Sameera swept towards the Cthurhains with me and Braith in tow, a cruel smile on her lips.

“Baron Cthurhain, I wouldloveto take your daughter under my wing.”

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