Page 84 of Lady of Darkness
She leans back into the sofa, and Gemma sighs. “Men,” Gemma mumbles. “They reel you in, play games, and then they disappear… or die.”
Gemma winces apologetically, and Cecelia giggles. “It’s true.” The lines around her face aren’t as deep as when I arrived in England. She seemed so sad then, so distraught. Frail. But now… she seems stronger. More sure of herself. Whatever sadness she was carrying around has been replaced by anger at her family. It might not be the healthiest coping mechanism, but I know it’s probably the best thing for her.
“What about you?” Cecelia asks, taking a bite of a shortbread biscuit. Her green eyes bore into mine, and I swallow once before answering.
“What about me?”
Gemma barks a laugh. “You walked through the door like Cinderella after the ball. Your cheeks are flushed, and your hair is… it’s seen better days, which probably means you had crazy sex tonight.”
My lips twitch with a smile as my hands go up to my hair. “What’s wrong with my hair?”
Gemma wrinkles her nose. “It’s just-fucked hair.”
Cecelia snorts as my cheeks redden.
“It is not!”
“Okay, whatever you say. So you weren’t having sex?” she teases.
I suck in my cheeks. “I plead the fifth.”
“Please tell me it was with all four of them,” Gemma begs, taking my hands. “Please. Tell me it was all of them at once. A massive, hot guy orgy.”
I nearly double over with laughter. “I’ll never tell.”
“That means it was,” Cecelia interjects, her pinky out, as she sips her tea.
When I’m done laughing, I shrug and cross my arms. “It all feels like a lot. I got so wrapped up in them–in this life. New York seems like a lifetime ago.”
“But that’s how it happens,” Gemma says gently. “Life goes on. Sometimes things are unplanned, but those often end up being the best surprises.”
An hour later, we all head upstairs. I take a long shower and get changed for bed. As I’m sitting in the dark with my phone, my finger hovers over the group text chain with the guys.
I don’t even know what I want to say, but my fingers move of their own accord.
Me: I meant what I said earlier. Just in case any of you were on the edge of your seats, waiting.
A few seconds later, they all reply back.
Alaric: I know, baby. See you tomorrow.
Gideon: Night, sugartits.
I can’t help the large grin that breaks out across my face.
Sterling: Get some rest xx
Theo: Unless you want to spread those glorious legs and show us how that smutty monster book makes you feel.
I frown and flip my room off, hoping he can see me on the camera.
Theo: You’re getting spanked tomorrow for that, little monster.
I’m smiling as I fall asleep reading my monster smut.
This life… it isn’t so bad.
At least I know it’ll never be boring.
