Page 18 of When Monsters Rise
Hegently gripped my chin and tilted my face up. “Understood?Iremember a time, not too long ago, when you’d fight me tooth and nail over everything.”
Ismiled sweetly up at him. “Butthat was beforeIrealized you weren’t a dick and accepted thatIwantedyour dick.”
Hesnorted, eyes dancing with mirth. “Youand your filthy mouth.”
“Youhave no idea whatIcan do with this filthy mouth.”
Hesucked in a breath, chest rumbling in that almost purr that he made when aroused. “Dammit, woman, this is not the time or place.”Heleaned in, his blue eyes dark with desire. “Pheromoneshave a scent, you know.”
Shit. “I’msorry.”
“Holdthat thought, though.Youcan demonstrate your filthy mouth’s skills once we get back.”
Damn, he made me hot.Istepped back and took a breath to clear my head. “Okay, let’s get this done.”
* * *
Shemmoved fastthrough the tunnels with me on his back.Uppipes and along them too.Therewas no wayI’dhave been able to navigate this route on foot.Hemade it look easy, but the tension and movement of the muscle beneath my body told me just how hard it was.
Wefinally dropped down a shoot and into a roomIrecognized asKabiel’slair.Althoughlairmade it sound ominous.Asif he was some kind of villain, which he wasn’t.
Asingle oil lamp held the darkness at bay, illuminating the downy nest thatKabielslept in.Butthe nest was empty.
Thehairs on my nape quivered, warning me that the nest might be empty, but the room wasn’t.
“Kabiel,”Shemsaid. “Weneed to talk.”
“Ittook you long enough to come and see me,”Kabielsaid from somewhere in the darkness. “You’vebeen back for days.”
“Andhow do you know that?”Shemasked.
“Ihave my eyes and ears.”
Hadhis voice moved?Wait, was it coming from somewhere above us?Therewere pipes running along the ceiling of this room, but the lamp was burning so low it was impossible to see them right now.
Ashiver ran over my skin, andImoved closer toShem.
“You’refrighteningRue,”Shemsaid. “Showyourself.”
“Youdon’t want to see me, especially if you’re worried thatImight frighten your little human.”
Hisvoice sounded different when he said the wordhuman.Thetone was wet and hungry.
Ipressed closer toShem, wanting nothing more than to get out of here, and if it hadn’t been necessary to be here,I’dhave suggested just that.Instead,Igritted my teeth and fixed my attention on the spot where his voice was coming from.
“I’mnot afraid,Kabiel.Pleaseshow yourself so we can talk.”
Hischuckle was a bubbling, mirthless sound. “Well, if you insist.”Hisface emerged from the shadows, an upside-down oval that ended in a sharp point.Hiseyes were cold and flat, his mouth thinner and wider.Therewas something insidious about him now that sent a chill shooting through my bones.
Icaught the impression of his spider legs, still clinging to the ceiling in the shadows.Silverthreads glinted in the lamplight as he shifted.
Ohfuck…was that…Wasthat a web?
“You’vebeen busy,”Shemsaid flatly.
“It’sa way to pass the time,”Kabielreplied.
“Weneed your help,”Shemsaid.
