Page 59 of Let Me Win You

“But following the rules isn’t always enough. I’m a person with feelings and a life of my own, and I’m asking you to please let me go.”

“What if I asked you to give me a chance to earn your affection in return?”

I sucked in a breath, sitting back.

“I’m afraid I can’t do it?”

“Why not?” He frowned.

“Because Invi has already taken what you want, and I gave it to him freely.”

“Fucking Invi!” He jumped off the couch. “I won the race, yet he still managed to beat me. He stole my prize!” He roared. “And now, he dares come here to fight me for what’s rightfully mine.”

“What did you just say? Invi was here? When?”

“While you were in the shower.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” I got up, too, facing him off.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You locked the door, remember?”

“But…Ugrr,” I groaned, cursing my need to wash off the gore of the maze as soon as I got the chance. “Where is he now?”

“In his swamp, most likely. I warded this place from him, all of it, including the field. He’s not to set a foot…I mean, not even the tip of his fucking tail on my property. And you…” He pointed a claw at me. “You’re staying here for as long as I please. Hey, everyone!” He propped his hands on his hips and yelled out to the souls who were peeking in from the yard, attracted by the noise of our argument. “I’m throwing a big party tomorrow, to celebrate my new acquisition.” He gestured my way to present the saidacquisitionto his guests. “And everyone is invited!”

The souls shouted and cheered. Those outside ran in to learn about the announcement from the others.

“I thoughtthiswas the party.” I swept my arm around the room that was quickly filling with souls of every color of the rainbow.

Gul waved a hand. “That’s just a small gathering of a few of my closest friends. Tomorrow, the real celebration begins!” The room erupted in screams of approval and enthusiastic applause. “See, cupcake?” Gul grinned, waving at his guests. “Everybody loves me. Soon, you’ll learn to love me, too.”

17

Invi

Ihadn’t seen Nicole for two days now. I couldn’t even come close to where she was. I couldn’t talk to her. I had no way of finding out how she was other than excessively questioning the souls who went to Gul’s endless parties. And question I did.

From Gul’s guests, I’d learned that Nic usually sat quietly, away from the main party somewhere, mostly alone or talking to a soul or two. Some were upset that despite Gul’s best efforts, she hadn’t cheered up enough to join the party or have fun.

She wasn’t happy, and I had to change it.

I’d promised to take her home. I’d promised to set her free. And I was dead set on doing it, even if the whole of Purgatory stood in my way.

With that firm determination on my mind, I climbed the deliberately difficult to navigate path up to Avar’s mountain and slammed my fist against his massive entrance door.

“Now what?” Avar opened the door, already naked but still in his human form that was about half my normal height.

I smirked, looking down at him. “Well, hello there, little one.”

“Fuck off.” Avar returned to his front hall but left the door open for me to enter.

“Welcome back.” I moved forward, pulling my tail in.

“Thanks, we just got in. Maddy is still resting after the journey. She always passes out on the way and needs a minute or two to recuperate. And here you are, showing up even before my cat did. What do you want now?Thisagain?”

He took the magical moonstone ring off his finger. Immediately, his shape grew. The human skin turned transparent, blending completely into Avar’s shimmering purple self. The horns, the feelers, and the tentacles sprouted from all their usual places. In only a moment or two, my brother looked like a monster he was born to be.

Yet when Madison bounced down the path around the mountain, there was nothing but adoration on her smiling face as she looked at him.

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