Page 46 of V for Vengeance

“Little vampire, it’s been a real treat, but I better go before my dust gets sucked out by that Hand of Death you think is safe. I don’t get it, honestly. He’s a fucking monster, and no one would ever put that word in a sentence with his name, but I guess you have a death wish. Vampire thing? Anyway, call out anytime. I’m at your service. I owe you for saving my life. And if you’re connected with this bastard, then you’ll definitely need me someday.”

Before I could say thank you, or really anything at all, Big disappeared in a burst of light and sparkles. I opened then closed my mouth. What the fuck just happened?

Chapter 24

Saving My Fae Karen

Iexpected it, but what I didn’t think would happen was watching Phillip swoop in, ready to destroy Cash and fuck the consequences, only for the Dark Fae to rebuke the snarling Hunter without effort. My growling, raging beau was bound to the wall before he could reach us.

And for the first time since I’d met her, Jo visibly reacted to the sight of Cash’s magic. Her eyes widened before her lips thinned. The dark obsidian irises quickly melted to amber glows. She prickled with alarm. I’d never seen her look at Cash the way she was now. Hostility and fear—like she both wanted to escape and fight. But instead, she stood frighteningly still, her gaze sweeping over to me slowly before returning to the light-haired menace next to me.

It happened too fast for me to respond. But as soon as my thoughts came together, I grabbed Cash’s arm and shot a warning glare at him. “You’re really not helping things right now, you ass.”

As if it couldn’t be helped, he shrugged, and Phillip was released from the black magic that had him pinned to the wall.Silence dragged on for what felt like forever. No one seemed to know what our next move should be. Everyone was on guard.

Guess it’s up to me, then.

I put my hands up with a little grin. “I’m not dead, see? All my limbs are still intact. Most importantly, my head is still firmly attached to my neck. I’m basically a returning hero,” I proclaimed to the Austrian who looked close to attacking my overly arrogant savior again.

Granted, snark wasn’t how I’d deal with everyone, but the tattooed Hunter was an entirely different breed. He might be a possessive bastard despite all his claims that he and Nigel had nothing in common, but even he couldn’t ignore a dark joke after escaping death.

The twitch of his mouth told me I’d gotten through to him. Honestly, it was one of the things I loved most about him. No matter how dire, there was always a place for a cleverly timed joke.

Walking over to Phillip and leaving Cash to stay posed like an asshole by the door, I wrapped my arms around the angry Hunter and laid my cheek on his chest, holding him close. His signal of defeat came in way of a sigh.

Go me.

He chuckled to himself when I rubbed my cheek over his chest and stole a cute look at him. The stubborn asshole had already forgiven me. I hadn’t even told him the best parts, but I’d savor this victory first.

His arms were quickly around me before I was crushed against his chest. “You had me scared there for a second, mein Schatz.” His piercing blue eyes landed on me with both relief and frustration. “Don’t think you’ve escaped punishment, but…I’m proud of you. You didn’t die, and that’s cause for cake.”

“Now you’re speaking my language, you gorgeous jerk.”

His heart-stopping smile beamed down at me. I’d done him proud. That Ancient Fae bitch wasn’t a small potatoes villain, and he knew it. I’d escaped someone I shouldn’t have. I’d put my money where my mouth was—or whatever idioms best fit this particular victory.

Maybe after my punishment I’d get a reward. A girl could only hope. The growling way he promised punishment told me that it’d all be in the bedroom, and I didn’t want to admit how much I was looking forward to it.

Pulling away, I finally breathed since arriving. Now wasn’t the time to let my head frolic away with thoughts of being bound and spanked. We still had business to discuss.

Knowing Jo, she’d probably told Phillip enough that he could gather what had happened but not everything. There was still plenty he probably didn’t know. I’d tell him everything I could, and then I’d call Grams and Sloan because their missed calls and texts were like actual weight in my pocket.

Since Grams would only care if I were alive or dead, she’d mainly berate the fact that I was kidnap while applauding my ingenious escape. Her softer moments were far and few these days, especially now that she was on a mission. She’d save the heartfelt declarations of love for when she came home—or maybe not even then.

Sloan would be understanding but upset I trusted Cash at all. I wouldn’t argue with him. He wasn’t wrong. I knew better than anyone else that some liked to keep their friends close and their enemies closer. Still, however misguided Cash’s way of going about our little outing, tonight we got farther ahead than we had in a long time.

We not only picked off another on our list of Lux’s boyband, but we found out the possible identity of One and what the Organization’s goal was. Or at least, where to start looking if wecould get the papers I’d taken translated and another Q&A with Big.

Tinkerbell dude made it sound like he knew more than most. A credit to his capture, no doubt. I wanted to pick his brain, but only after I’d stolen a few hours of sleep and made Phillip deliver on his cake promise.

Blood, too.

The thirst scratching at my throat made my eyes wander way too many times on all the in-room jugulars. So many pulses. So many distractions. I’d normally be horrified by my beastly fascination if I weren’t so focused on keeping the peace.

“I have some things we need to translate. We didn’t come home empty-handed. I wasn’t kidnapped for nothing, and if I’m honest, kind of glad I was.”

Jo directed a curious look at me, and I snickered. Phillip kept me close, his arm dropping around my shoulders with his narrow stare taking turns on both Cash and Jo. Maybe hehadpicked up on a few things, but I’d expect nothing less from the perceptive Hunter.

“I think we killed one of the Seven. Well…Cash did, anyway,” I explained.

---