Page 26 of City of the Lost
Okay, stay it was. I tapped Tay’s elbow and then backed out of the room before sliding the doors shut and leaning back against them.
“I guess it wants to stay.”
Tay studied me from beneath dark brows. “He. It’s a he, and I’m not leaving you with him. Not yet.”
I cracked a smile. “Wasn’t expecting you to, big guy. But don’t whine and moan that the bed’s too small.”
Tay snorted. “I can handle a single bed.”
“Oh, the bed is a queen, but I know how you like to spread out.” His eyes darkened, and shit, could I fit any more feet in my mouth? “Forget I said that.”
He sighed. “Not that easy, Wil.”
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea—him staying over, under the same roof with just a wall between us. My thoughts must have etched themselves across my face, because he gripped my shoulders, pulled me close, and planted a kiss on my forehead.
“Time, Wila. Time. You said it—once I find my mate, things will go back to normal.”
My gut twisted at his words, and for a moment, there was no breath in my lungs. Thank goodness he was already turning away. Thank goodness he didn’t see the pain.
* * *
Fire licks at my back,tearing my flesh, spilling my blood. But not a sound passes my lips. My body will not flinch. I am immutable, unchangeable. I am her rock.
“Good, Azren. Good. I do believe you are ready.”
The shackles fall away. It is time to do my liege’s bidding. To serve her in any way she wishes.
“Come, my most favored.”
Gray stone and a damp chill. Weak light and the clank of chains, and then my first victim is revealed. Blood rushes through my veins at the sight of his perfect face.
He raises his chin and glares defiantly at my liege. “Hello, Mother. What fine torture do you have in store for me today?”
The whip is in my hand, and I wait for her command. It comes as a regal inclination of the head, and I feel it in my bones. I pull back my arm and swing.
My eyes snapped open on the crack of the whip, and the empty pink room welcomed me back from the fucked-up nightmare. Seriously? Could I not get a break? And what had that been? Why had my brain even come up with that shit? Was it because Azren had attacked Valance outside my bathroom? Probably.
Okay. Deep breath. “Okay, Mr. Sandman. Quit messing about and give me something good, and if you can’t deliver, then just piss off.”
Closing my eyes, I drifted back into slumber.
Body slick with the perspiration that comes with delicious exertion, breath trapped in my throat and exploding in tiny gasps of pleasure, hands—rough, calloused hands—kneading my flesh, parting my thighs. Ready, I was ready for him, razor-sharp teeth grazing my earlobe. Azren, yes. Oh, God. Yes.
“Wila, I love you, you know that.” Tay’s voice was a delicious vibration against my collarbone. My mind rebelled in confusion. What? What was happening?
Baby blue eyes peered down at me. “Checkmate, Miss Bastion.”
Whoa! I surged from sleep, battling the inert duvet with a ninja kick and a karate chop. All silent. No hot men in my bedroom. Clothes on. Nothing fucking going on whatsoever.
I slumped back against the pillows. “Brain, you are seriously one messed-up cortex, you know that?”
The clock blinked 4:30 a.m.
There’d be no more sleep for me tonight.
* * *
The basement light flickered,causing me to grip the flashlight tighter. The light flared steady once more and my grip relaxed. Dropping the flashlight on my lap, I picked the teacup up off the tiny side table I’d brought down a few weeks ago. I slumped back in the chair and took a sip of the strong concoction.
