Page 65 of Devour
“Chaos,” she whispers.
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Haze
When Nakyi leaps to her feet and rushes into the inner sanctum, her eyes wide in surprise, I know something has gone wrong.
“Where is she,” I demand. It takes everything within me not to explode here and now. If she didn’t pass, I’ll—I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll call on my Nihil once and for all, and?—
Yesss.it hisses.I will protect her.
My stomach twists.
“You are anxious, my child.” Blythe’s rage-inducing grin spreads wide. She prowls around me, dragging her fingers over my chest. “Tell me, what worries you so?”
Beyond that door, Lina is now with two silver seers. Something has happened. And I cannot show that I care.
I grit my teeth. Her eyes sparkle with curiosity. She knows me well enough to see how my reaction is out of character. “I am simply annoyed.” I say calmly, though my heart is throbbing. “I haven’t yet had a chance to taste her. What a waste it would be to abandon her now.”
Her eyes narrow. “You had a night with her. Why did you waste it?”
“Did you see her? She was disgusting. Only now is she clean enough to enjoy.”
She flicks a brow. “True.” She clicks her tongue and paces around me. “You didn’t have to choose a burrowing rabbit. You’ve had many options in your days. I find myself wondering why? Why now? Why her?”
Fire burns in my fingers. Rage and helplessness combined.
This is why hope is so dangerous. It can control you. It can cause you to take action that you know will be disastrous. It is so much better to turn it all off, to let your mind wander to far off places.
I wish I had that luxury now. Hope has come to live with me, and I cannot turn her away.
“You chose that one out of so many.”
I’ve never cared for a mate previously. It’s not surprising she’d be suspicious.
“I have my reasons.” I keep my gaze steady and my expression neutral. She does not get to see what is truly inside. I will die before I ever let her see even a glimpse of it.
“Tonight,” she draws. “You will come see us tonight.”
My eyes flash to hers, my neutral expression slipping into shock.
Her eyes shine. “We will discuss your intentions.”
I lift my chin, falling back to indifference. I knew it would come eventually, but I hoped I’d have more time before being forced to sell my soul.
“I will lose another night with my mate?” I say through gritted teeth, eyes steady ahead.
“Do you intend to cast her aside after a single night?” It is an honest question. It happens often.
“No,” I answer honestly. “She will be mine.”
“Then, your patience will make the taste that much sweeter. We will begin praying for offspring.”
She flicks her orange hair over her shoulder and turns her back to me. “Tonight.”
“I’ll be here.”
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