Page 28 of Blood So Brutal

“I know.”

Her gaze landed on my mouth, and for a torturous, immaculate second, I thought she might kiss me. But that sharp dagger of pain shot through our bond again, the harsh reality that she was the one living with what I had done.

I did far more than simply betray her.

I was no worse than the male who spent his time giving her those scars.

She spun around, facing the mirror again before I could do something stupid like run my thumb across her perfectly plump lips or nuzzle my nose into her neck and inhale the intoxicating scent of her. “Put it here,” she said, signaling to the side of her bodice. She held the front tightly against her as I maneuvered the metal against her skin.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked. “If someone sees that you have a weapon, it could end badly.”

She stared at her own reflection in the mirror then, eyes glazing over as she answered, “Sharp blades and even sharper teeth. Weren’t you the one who taught me that?”

I didn't answer, didn’t trust myself to. Hells, when had I grown so soft? When had I let this woman crawl into the deep cave of my chest and funnel there, warming my icy heart from the inside out?

It didn’t matter. I finished lacing her dress for her—even though we both knew she could do it herself—and led her to the door.

Huntyr would have my heart forever now, even if she would not accept it.

Chapter 9

Huntyr

For the dark, colorless castle that Asmodeus lived in, he knew how to make a party look grand. There was still a massive lack of color, but large, pointed black pieces of art lined the perimeter of the ballroom, creating a terrifying yet beautiful wall around the crowd.

“There you are,” Jessiah called, stepping forward out of the crowd. “I was starting to think you two bolted.”

Wolf’s bicep tensed under my grasp. “And miss a great party?”

Jessiah and him both smiled, but I was starting to pick up on the slight differences in their behavior when they were in public, as if they spent their entire lives creating a second personality that would secure their survival in front of their father.

My stomach tightened, lurching. Nerves, I told myself, not the constant hunger I had been fighting on and off.

Jessiah turned to me and held out his hand. I slid my palm into his but was surprised when he pulled my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles gently. “Happy birthday, Huntyr,” he whispered through thick lashes.

I could have sworn I heard Wolf growl, but Jessiah only laughed at my blush and dropped my hand. Charming bastard.

“Father is waiting for you both,” he warned. He dropped his voice so only the two of us could hear as he added, “And he’s been drinking plenty. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

Wolf nodded, guiding me further into the room. Twinkling lights lit up the ceiling at least two floors above us, creating a subtle glow of light among the crowd. I glanced around, taking in the slight glittering of everyone’s marvelous attire.

It was a show indeed.

“Who are all these people?” I whispered to Wolf.

“Mostly angels, some fae. These are the people who support my father, either because he gives them money, or because he lets them continue their crimes and bad behaviors here in The Golden City. You can’t trust anyone here, Huntyr, not a single person.”

“You included?”

He chuckled lightly but bent over and whispered against my ear, “Careful, Huntress.”

The crowd separated as we parted, but not because of me. Nobody even bothered looking at me. Everyone’s eyes were glued on Wolf as we passed. Even without his wings, he was a force. A predator. A leader.

And these people envied him. I could see it in their eyes—the greed, the hunger for power.

It was no wonder they were ready to do whatever Asmodeus ordered.

We waltzed slowly through the crowd, past a group of musicians who filled the room with a pleasant melody.

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