Page 26 of Urban Gladiator

“I can see that.” He was upending everything I’d been taught about shifters. His fur wasn’t rough and scratchy, but warm and smelled like home. I’d been raised believing wolf shifters treated their children like slaves. But down in that courtyard, I didn’t see slaves. I saw happy, laughing kids climbing all over Rowan as if he were a jungle gym. And it made everything else I’d been taught about all the supernatural beings in Avalon suspect.

Why would the coven mother and elders lie?

With a shake of my head, I followed Bixby through the halls, noting the castle’s exits and where guards were stationed. We took a set of winding stairs down two floors, with Bixby explaining the second floor was all extra bedrooms for the people who lived and worked in the castle. They had their own dining room, common rooms, and the like.

“And these are the kitchens.” Bixby ushered me inside a room at the end of a long hallway. The smells wafting in the air had my stomach growling.

Inside, I was taken aback by the heat, and I began sweating immediately. Multiple ovens all looked like they were in use. And standing at a long wooden table overflowing with ingredients and dishes was a tall woman. She stood a good half a foot taller than me. She was stunning. Her golden hair had been styled in a thick braid that hung down her back. She was kneading dough with such skill, it was witchcraft in its own right.

“Mistress Lara, this is Ember, Prince Rowan’s guest,” Bixby said, getting her attention.

The woman swiveled in our direction. She was about a decade older, with delicate facial features. There was a spot of flour on her flushed cheeks. Her golden brows rose when she spied him. “Bixby, is that you? But you’re . . . you’re—”

Bixby took a few cocky steps forward, glancing up and down her body with such obvious interest and intent even I blushed. Who knew the demon had it in him?

“Corporeal,” he finished for her.

She nodded in amazement, her gaze drinking him in. “But how?”

Bixby jerked his chin in my direction. “Ember helped me.”

Lara glanced at me, approval swimming in her brown gaze, and then back at Bixby. “I’ll make you a special meal to celebrate after I take care of the master’s dinner this evening.”

Bixby puffed up his chest, and a Cheshire grin spread over his face. “That would be lovely, Lara. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Your food is divine.” I smiled. If nothing else, I had done something good in this castle. Because Bixby and Mistress Lara were hot for one another. If I wasn’t present, I daresay they’d be banging away, oblivious to all else.

“Thank you. Lunch will be ready shortly if you want to stick around.”

“I’m looking forward to it. But I believe Prince Rowan prefers I take my meals in my room.” Plus, I needed the privacy to spy on Rowan. I had to figure out his endgame for me.

“Very well. I will make you a tray, and Bixby can retrieve it.” She shot Bixby a flirtatious glance laden with intention.

“We should be finished with the tour shortly, and then I will collect the tray.”

Lara blushed. “Very good, sir. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ember.”

“You too.” Again, I was struck by the sense of community. How could I enact that spell? It would harm Bixby and Lara as much as everyone else. What about the children in the courtyard? Could I really condemn them to be terrorized and even killed?

My self-righteous fervor was giving way to compassion. It was dangerous, feeling sorry for my enemies. But they didn’t feel like my enemies. They felt like people getting by the best they knew how.

After we left the kitchens, Bixby showed me where the armory was located and the entrance to the dungeons below. I noted where the exits were, mapping the castle in my mind.

I faked a yawn. “You know what? I’m a little tired and would like to lie down. I’m sure Rowan will keep me up late again. Could we return to my room?”

“Certainly. Let me show you the way.”

On our walk back to my bedroom and prison, I noted the various right and left turns and the hallway we took to reach my room. The door to my room was problematic, but not impossible. I had an escape route in mind. No matter what, I wouldn’t remain a prisoner here forever. Bixby ushered me inside. “Would you like to eat before or after your lie down?”

“Would after be all right?”

“Certainly. I’ll be back in an hour to check on you.”

“That would be lovely. Thank you for the tour. I enjoyed myself immensely.”

“Anything for you, miss.” He bowed sagely. Then he left me alone in the room. And he didn’t take the supplies he’d brought me earlier today.

Because I wanted privacy, I took all the supplies into the bathroom and locked myself in. This way, if Rowan decided to visit me for a quick fuck, I’d pretend I was using the toilet and stash the supplies beneath the sink.

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