Page 43 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

When the music began, Rosie immediately understood why Charming had been called up by popular demand. He was singing a song reminiscent of a medieval ballad in a voice that sounded like a gruff Irish tenor. Rod Stewart came to mind even though she knew he was Scotia fae and not Irish elf.

As Charming sang, Rosie’s eyes began to wander over the crowd that was quietly enraptured by the spell he was weaving. On the other side of the fire her eyes found and locked on Carnal, who was watching her with the intensity and single-minded focus of a jungle cat. The firelight made his eyes even more captivating than usual.

There were four others at his table, three males, one female. The female sat to Carnal’s right. She was tall like him, and lean. They made a good-looking couple. As Rosie watched, the girl draped her arm around Carnal’s neck and said something into his ear. He responded with a slight smile, but didn’t take his gaze away from Rosie. Not even to blink.

When Charming returned to the table, Rosie said, “That was wonderful. What talent you have.” Charming shrugged. Rosie laughed. “It’s too late for you to pretend to be humble.”

At that he blushed a little. “I thought you’d forgotten what happened at dinner.”

“I lied. I plan to use it as leverage as often as I can, in any way I can.” She patted his arm. “Thanks for bringing me. I wouldn’t have missed getting to hear you sing, but I’m ready to call it a night. Working girl, you know.” When she stood up, Charming rose with her. “No. Stay here with your friends and enjoy the music.”

“You sure?”

“Positively. See you tomorrow.” She turned to Charming’s friends. “Night.”

They all said goodbyes while she grabbed her shawl from the back of the chair and moved away.

She stepped into the cool night and started toward the Extant’s house when she heard the new north door open behind her. The sound of music and laughter inside grew louder, then quieted when the door closed. She looked over her shoulder and saw a silhouette outlined by the lamplight. Carnal.

He didn’t speak or attempt to catch up with her, but followed at a distance. When she reached the front door, she turned around. He was standing in the shadows close enough to watch over her, but not close enough to be in her space. She stood at the door for a few seconds, waiting to see if he’d come closer. When he didn’t, she went inside and went to bed. But the image of the female’s lips so close to Carnal’s ear plagued her thoughts, robbed her of a timely rest, and had her tossing and turning. She didn’t know why. He was an egotistical, cocky smarmy player. He was also an unbelievably gorgeous male who reduced her insides to quivers when he stood close, leaning over her and speaking in a low rumble with that little smile dancing around his mouth.

She told herself that it didn’t bother her that he was with a girl at the Commons. It wasn’t like she wanted him for herself. She opened her eyes in the dark and looked at the ceiling, wondering if she was kidding herself about that and asking herself if she was willing to risk giving Carnal a chance.

She didn’t see him at all the next day. She walked to the Weavers’ Barn by herself, visited level four, and walked back to the Extant’s house. Alone.

Again, Carnal was absent at dinner.

The following day as Rosie was finishing up the after-lunch tasks, she opened the door to let some fresh air in. With the new addition complete, the interior door opened onto a porch lined with windows instead of directly to the outside. After a quick look, she decided to add sweeping the porch to her routine.

That was how she was engaged when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Carnal and the four companions she’d seen him with had pulled up on their steam-powered motorcycles. The bikes were utterly silent except for the crunch of an occasional rock under a tire. They backed the bikes into a line facing the porch, got off, and each began retrieving a stack of books from their saddlebags.

When Rosie saw them coming her way, she opened the nearest porch door and held it open. They filed past her with armloads of books, each nodding as they went by. Carnal was last.

“Delivery,” he said. “Where do you want them?”

“Over here.” She hurried to the end of the bar and cleared enough space in the shelves below. “Is this everything?”

“Serene says there’s a sample from all ten levels. If you want more when you’re done, she’ll send more.”

“Okay,” Rosie said, attempting a small smile. “Thank you.”

“This is my crew. Carnal waved toward the others. “Clash, Easy, Yellow, and Joy.”

Rosie’s initial impression was that they looked rough and tumble in their boots, leathers and fur-lined vests, but sexy enough that any one of them would have attracted Hollywood’s attention in her world. Like most Exiled they wore their hair the way they wanted to without regard for conformity, which meant short, long, in between, braided, shaved, spiked, or any combination thereof.

The one pointed out as Yellow had a three-inch blonde beard with two braids, one at each corner of his mouth.

Rosie nodded and said hello. “You want something to drink while you’re here?”

They all looked to Carnal. “Sure.” He shrugged. All five took a stool in front of her at the bar.

“What’ll it be?”

“Ciders all around,” said Carnal. Rosie thought it was rude that he didn’t let them speak for themselves, but knew it wasn’t her business.

“You’re very cute. You know that?” said the one Carnal had identified as Easy.

Clash laughed at him. “Like she’s never heard that one before.”

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