Page 37 of V for Vengeance

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I looked down at the map on his phone and noticed several numbers were already entered into the search box. Coordinates. With an eyebrow raised, I handed the bedazzled phone back to Magnus, and he typed the remaining numbers. I copied the coordinates before nodding at Cash once the location popped up somewhere in the vast forest of Canada.

I was still rattled by the power Cash used on Harmony’s plaything, but I’d deal with that little fun nugget later. We’d gotten what we wanted, and now it was time to get the hell out of here.

“Just as insurance, you’ll be somewhere I can find you until we confirm this takes us to Queen Slag. Wouldn’t want to walk into a trap you laid out for us without some way to punish you later, now would we? If something happens, it’s ta-ta forever, Magnus,” Cash informed our grumbling captive before the glitzy butterfly was gone. No poof, just blink and he was no longer dead-eyeing us from his place in front of the brick wall.

I peered around in confusion, not sure what happened. Cash hadn’t used a stone, so for a minute, I thought he’d killed the dude.

“I’ll explain in a bit, love. Come along. You owe me a date,” was all the much-too-happy nuisance said before stealing my hand and leading me away from the alley where we’d accosted a butterfly.

By the time my brain started working, we were already in a crowded street at the other side of town. “There might be Hunters or—”

Cash’s glimmering cat eyes bounced over to me, and he smiled in a way too beautiful for someone who’d nearly mummified a person with their power. “You promised. Besides…” He peered around us, the people partaking in the festivities out of control and dancing everywhere in sight. “I wasn’t just saying pretty words before. I’ll keep you safe, V. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, but I don’t think anyone they send will be a challenge for me. And certainly not you. Rest easy, dove. Enjoy yourself. Have a little fun for once.”

People all around us were hollering and living their best lives. A few could probably benefit from a little less living, if I were honest. But at one time, I’d pined for a night like this. I’d yearned to let loose and have a little fun on a special occasion. I’d always imagined when I hit college, I’d be sneaking off with Kate when Grams wasn’t looking to make a lot of bad choices in rapid succession.

Lately, it was always about the end of the world or the future Hunter uprising. I’d spent all year looking over my shoulder, ready to be some assassin’s payday. More so, going anywhere alone with Sloan or Phillip was a different kind of pressure. I’d spend the entire time trying and failing to be maturity personified.

Honestly, it was a little tough to be around them all the time. Both Hunters had been alive far longer than I had. They didn’t fuck up. Not like I did, anyway. They were top-tier Hunters, and they’d kicked way more ass than my measly nineteen years afforded me. A part of me felt like a burden whenever I was with them.

Sure, I’d gotten lucky with powers the Organization unwittingly saddled me with, but around them, I was an amateur. Around them, I had a lot to learn in order to fight at their level, and I never felt like I could really let loose and be that wild teenager Kate brought out of me. I was always projectingthe version of myself I wanted them to see—the Hunter who was the face of a rebellion. Or even just a woman capable of fully realized adult relationships.

Maybe that was the reason Cash’s offer was so attractive. I didn’t have to be the powerful Hunter Phillip, Grams, and Sloan expected. I could just be V. Maybe letting go for one night with Cash wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Maybe I could finally act my agefor once.

Chapter 19

Rather Unprofesh of You

Ichecked my phone. Both Phillip and Sloan’s texts glared back at me. But instead of reading them, I slipped my phone into my pocket and sighed. Yanking my ponytail loose, I let my red hair rain down around my face in a waterfall of silky waves. I adjusted my top and took a quick look around, not entirely sure what I’d be okay with doing first.

As if he’d read it all on my face, Cash smirked and leaned down. “That’s it, dove. You’re not a robot. There’s nothing that says you can’t have a bit of fun while we’re out.” His fingers laced with mine even when the glare I leveled on him promised violence. “I know a thing or two about having a good time. Haven’t you ever wondered what it’s like when you’re not…you know, expected to be anyone but yourself?”

I hated that his question stopped me from lashing out. “What makes you think I haven’t been myself, Fae?”

His smirk said it all. He was a perceptive bastard, and he’d seen through my act. “Oh, darling…you don’t honestly believe Phillip would bother to blackmail me into working for him if I wasn’t good at picking apart someone I was around. Least ofall someone I’m very,veryinterested in. No matter. It’s much easier to show you what I mean. Come, we have a party to attend.”

I didn’t have time to bemoan my lack of facial control because Cash grabbed me around the waist, snapped his fingers, and suddenly we were in an underground rave, swallowed by a thunderous beat and overexcited crowd.

Something about the way I moved was different. Peering down, I quickly realized in the time it took to go from the street to this chaotic room, my clothes had changed. Was I wearing a…waist cape? Leather pants with a cape skirt thing and a vest top made of the same material? What even was this?

I stole a glance over my shoulder, confused. The outfit was nothing I’d ever choose for myself. I looked like I was about to present the next act at the circus. It was the closest I’d ever get to being a ringleader.

“Cassius…” I growled, the outfit tighter than I would’ve liked. It pushed the girls up way too much. High enough that if Kate were here, she’d squeal with pride. “What the fuck am I wearing?”

“Fashion, my dove. And you look absolutely marvelous.” Cash tugged me close and swayed our bodies in time with the beat.

It took me a second, but I finally noticed he wasn’t wearing a shirt anymore. His pale body shimmered like he was covered in jewels. Probably slathered himself with the same stuff the evil butterfly used, but fuck if the gorgeous bastard didn’t look damn good in it. Even I couldn’t pretend otherwise. It was like he’d been sculpted out of crystal and white stone. I had a difficult time keeping my eyes to myself.

Before I could make a saucy comment about it, Cash snatched something from a woman carrying a tray of drinks. “Thank me later, love. Also, drink this and dance with me. Let the music sway you.”

Let the music sway you? Is this guy for real?

No lie, I was distracted by how the waitress even managed to slither her way through the crowd without dropping her drink tray. The people around us were lost to the beat and vibe, so it didn’t make sense that she hadn’t been showered in drinks at some point. But after a little onceover of the space, I pieced it together. The supernatural were here. I could smell it in the air and feel its tingling presence all around me.

Lifting the vibrant blue drink with his black nail-polished hand, Cash beamed a devilish smile at me. Then he offered me the shot glass with a cute wink. Who did he think he was fooling? “This is a magical brew, darling. Alcohol for the supernaturally-inclined because of how potent it is. Quick to wear off but worth it. If you’re anything like that barbarian, then this will make it so even you know what it feels like to be buzzin’.”

It’d be incredibly stupid to take anything the Dark Fae gave me. Stupider to consume it. My Hunter instincts told me to skip the drink and go back home. But the young and curious part of me had an excuse already lined up for it.

I’d already taken the plunge.

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