Page 39 of Sin

“I may not know where she is, but I know how you can find her.”

I raised a brow, silently demanding she get to the point.

“Her name is Meredith, Merri. She’s a succubus?—”

“You’d better be on the verge of some new groundbreaking revelation, Sabine, because that’s all information I already know.” Nothing angered me more than people wasting my time.

My hands balled into fists, wings sprouting from my back and spreading in irritation. I was certain my eyes were glowing with the promise of violence if she disappointed me.

“She’s asuccubus, my lo—my king. That means she can dreamwalk.”

“And?” I drawled, impatience dripping from the word.

“Andthat means you can call her to your dreams. Once she’s in your clutches, you’ll be able to draw out any information you need. Like, say, her current location.”

Taking in a long breath, I turned away from her and stared out at my dominion once more, the wind caressing my wings, begging me to fly. A dreamwalker. Of course. Honestly, I was a teensy bit ashamed I hadn’t thought of that, but I’d been busy plotting the rest of my coup. There was just one glaring issue.

“How am I meant to call her to me when I have nothing to connect us?”

“You’re irresistible, my king. Now that you’ve been released, your power is unmatched. I’m sure she won’t be able to help herself. Moths and flames and all that.”

“I’d rather not leave it to chance,” I murmured, eyeing her like she was some rare specimen beneath my microscope. “Let’s at least bait the trap.”

She blinked, likely following my train of thought.

“For something like this, blood magic is the only surefire way to connect the two of us.”

“You require her blood.”

I smirked, lengthening one of my nails into a sharp claw. “Or yours.”

With a precise slashing motion, I opened her throat, dark red blood pouring down her front like a macabre waterfall. She gaped, wet gurgles all she could manage as I summoned a chalice and held it beneath her flowing life force.

“What was that? I can’t quite hear you.”

Ah, it was good to be me.

Once my cup was full, I let her fall. She continued to gasp and flop around like a dying fish beside me. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You’ll live.”

With a final appreciative glance at the world I’d claimed, I grinned and brought the cup to my lips. “To us, my sweet vessel. May our union be fruitful.”

Chapter

Twelve

MERRI

“This place is romance novel enormous,” I muttered as I roamed the hallways of the penthouse. Any minute now, I expected to run into the broody billionaire who owned it.

I hadn’t been able to settle my mind or my body all evening, no matter what I tried. Exercise, meditation, reading, counting sheep, binging trashy reality shows, nothing worked for me tonight. So, exploration it was. It was coming up on one week since my little staycation began, and I still hadn’t seen the entirety of this place. Or its owner.

It was well past time to change that.

A glance at the clock had me hesitating, but only for a second. It might be after midnight, but these men weren’t exactly human. It wasn’t like I’d interrupt precious sleep they needed for survival. They were immortals. Sleep was an indulgence. A habit. Not a necessity. Right? Besides, they said I wasn’t a prisoner, that I was free to move around the apartment.

So why did I feel like I was mid-burgle as I tippy-toed my way to the elevator? I’d limited myself to the main and second floors thus far, but I had my sights set on the elusive thirdfloor tonight. What skeletons would I discover? Dead exes like that Bluebeard guy? Some monstrous but totally hunky beast in ripped trousers? A hidden wife who’d gone mad? My money was on the last one, and my heart raced as the elevator ascended.

I winced when a ding announced my arrival, my pulse ratcheting up another notch at the fear of discovery before I was even able to snoop. I’d get in trouble. I was sure of it. Punished for my sneaky ways.

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