Page 60 of Too Cursed To Kiss
I stepped back behind Wald, hoping he knew what the hell he was doing.
Wald handed Devlyn a key, and Devlyn removed the ball gag.
Sert coughed, then spat on the floor. “Oh, you have no idea how many ways I will enjoy sendingyouto another plane.” The handcuffs dropped, hitting the side of the box with a clang as Sert stood up. He was taller than Devlyn but shorter than me. The purple pajamas did nothing to enhance the waxy whiteness of his skin, and the color made his deeply shadowed, almond-shaped eyes sink into his face. His lips were pressed together in a hard set line.
“Now let’s get that first level of death under way,” he said, rolling one hand over the other with a sneer.
“Hold on a moment. I appreciate your anger, but your release had strings, dear cousin,” Devlyn interrupted.
“Cousin?” I asked. Oh God, I’d said it out loud. The reveal that we were dealing with a string of twisted relations sleeping with each other was a bit much. Come on, you would have reacted too.
All eyes focused on me, and I raised my chin and faced them down, my teeth clamped hard, bracing for another jaunt across the pit on a wall of air, which didn’t come. Wald moved in front of me again.
“Devlyn,” he said as if calling him to help.
Sert took a shaky step sideways and looked me over. “What a lovely opportunity.”
“You can’t, Sert, I promised,” Devlyn said, waggling a hand at me.
Sert whirled on Devlyn with what could be a pout if men with that much obvious power pouted. I mean I supposed they might, but on any TV show I’d ever seen, the child-like thing turned out sinister. I choked back a chuckle, covering itwith a cough. Sert glared at me, and it was like the depths of hell poured out of his eyes.
“Sert!” Devlyn snapped.
“Fine. Let me know when I can have my fun,” he said, storming past Devlyn and disappearing through the door.
Devlyn grimaced. “You’ll pay for that, you know. All this actually,” he said with a wave toward the now-closed door.
“Your anger is expected, but if you recall, this was payment for your own attack,” Wald replied, with a voice so smooth you could skate on it.
“Well, yes, if we are keeping track.”
“I am keeping track.” Wald’s coldness shivered down my neck. Why was I crushing on a fricking monster? Oh yeah, he was hot, like beyond hot.
Okay, some nice quick sex at the end of the day should get him out of my system. I held on to that thought, hoping I’d survive all this insanity to find out how good that sex might be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Istepped out from behind Wald with a cloak of security that, under his watch, neither Devlyn nor Sert would hurt me. Devlyn glanced at me but returned his attention to Wald. I decided to watch them surreptitiously from a distance while perusing the bookcases.
Wald held out his hand. “The ring?”
Devlyn crossed his arms. “Ah yes, well it will take a bit of time. Agatha’s clean room has some workarounds, but since she’s no longer with us to tell us about them, I may have to try a few things before I’m successful.”
“Are you inferring Agatha’s death was my fault?” The snap in Wald’s tone was so dry it could have spontaneously combusted.
“Britannia…”
“Britannia killed her, yes. She was entirely responsible.” Wald’s lips set tight.
“That is not what she said.”
“Of course not. She’s also stolen the album.” Wald tiltedhis chin up in challenge. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, waiting for the response.
“She hasn’t stolen it. It’s in safekeeping.” Devlyn dropped his eyes and walked over to a table. He picked up an apple and examined his reflection in it.
“Then if the album is safe, you can ask Agatha yourself how to get to the room.” Wald almost growled it.
“It isn’t here.” Devlyn took a bite of the apple.
