Page 34 of Soulless Deeds

Aster casually sat down in the pew, crossing her legs to mirror Spencer’s. “Welcome back, Kings.” The spoken name was a declaration of power that charged with electrifying static in the dead, confined space.

XIV

Spencer

Micah took the lead, negotiating with Aster for the potential of a future alliance. I hardly paid attention, too distracted to be any semblance of help anyway, Echo taking up every lingering concentration that I could gather.

My eyes bore into his as he attempted to take hold of his composure, the shock value of me surviving his attack purely euphoric—nearly as euphoric as my last orgasm that he’d thoroughly coerced out of me…before pushing me to the brink of death.

I’m wet just thinking about it.

Micah paused mid-sentence, glaring in my direction. I lifted my brows at her expression, unsure what part of the plan we were up to. I’d done my part. It was her turn.

Before I could reflect further, her attention flicked to Echo, gaze narrowing into a critical glare.

Shit.Since Tanner was there, she couldn’t access her Variant, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t astute enough to pick up on my peculiar mood. I had to taper down my obsession, or my siblings would surely gut him alive, laying his pulseless corpse before me.

Again, another image I’m not entirely averse to.

Tanner intervened, picking up on the conversation where Micah filtered off. “We have a mutual goal: the end of Ludus Maximus and Khaos. Our proposition is to work together in order to achieve this.”

Aster’s beady red orbs scrutinised our small group before returning to me. I didn’t know why, but her stare was penetrating, severely probing.

It wasn’t uncomfortable. I was used to people’s interest. But her perusal didn’t feel sexual—more like she was searching for something deeper than face value. The snobby bitch had me intrigued, I had to give her that.

After a contemplative beat, she licked her lips, giving us her verdict. “How can I trust you?”

Emerson stood taller as if her short ass could be more intimidating. Despite her delicate stature, they’d be fools to underestimate her based on physical attributes alone. She’d carve them up before they even processed they were bleeding out.

“Trust that we came out of hiding,” Emerson said, tone scathing. “Relinquished our identities to give you a fighting chance against them.”

Aster perked an eyebrow. “Who is propositioning who here?”

I tsked. “I’ve already saved your life once, old girl. Don’t make me rescind my token of good faith.”

Aster’s brows spiked as she turned to Echo accusingly, and I chuckled. “Oh, your precious sidekick wasn’t too forthcoming about that scenario, huh?”

Echo’s lips opened to spit some venom. “I wasn’t forthcoming about Appleberry, either, but since you want to take credit for everything.”

It was the first time he’d addressed me in front of others, and he seemed pissed that he had to stoop to that level at all. Littledid he know, he was on whatever fucking level I put him on.Dead or alive, I fucking own him now.

Aster huffed, pale face reddening to match her lips and nails. “You’re the waitress?”

I winked. “More than a waitress.”

“You brought this down on my head!”

“If you mean I brought forward the inevitable, yes. Unless youdidplan on bending over and taking Khaos’ dick like a well-trained slut?”

Echo growled in warning, and I sent him an air kiss for additional foreplay.

Aster pursed her lips, unimpressed. “Alliance with the common goal to destroy Ludus MaximusandKhaos? Only under one condition. I’ll require insurance, something for safekeeping to ensure your loyalty.”

Micah cut in, annoyance lacing her tone. “What are you asking for?”

“Something precious. Something you hold dear.”

“We’re not materialistic,” Emerson said, her tone innocent and convincing. She was good because we all knew that was a blatant lie.

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