Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
He faced me. “You can.”
“I can, but I shouldn’t.” I sighed and looked up at him. “Not right now. We need to discuss this with Kieran. But first…” I paused. “First, we have a Lord and Lady to visit.”
CASTEEL
The ride to the Hawley residence was quiet. I knew Poppy was lost in thoughts about Ian and Millicent. I knew she was probably also making room for thoughts of the Unbound and what it could mean for the Ascended. I was quiet because I didn’t know what the fuck to think about the Unbound.
It still seemed impossible, but the idea of giving those who still fed on mortal or Atlantian blood a choice made my skin crawl—whether or not they knew it was a possibility.
I was sure Poppy thought this could be a new beginning for the Ascended. Meanwhile, I saw it as a gigantic risk and pain in the ass we didn’t need or have time to deal with.
But…it couldn’t be ignored.
Arriving at the Hawley residence provided a distraction. We followed Malik and the wolven guard stationed at the home into the sprawling mansion and through a grand, windowless atrium.
“Good gods,” Delano muttered, staring at the lavish furniture scattered about.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” the wolven, Dain, replied as he opened a side door in a sitting chamber that had clearly been enjoyed the night before. Used glasses sat on end tables next to dried-out pastries and slightly hardened cheese on gold platters.
When we reached the narrow hall, I turned to Dain and took the key from him. “Your presence here is no longer required.”
“Thank fuck,” he muttered and then blushed when Poppy arched a brow. “My apologies, meyaah—”
“No need,” she replied. “I’m sure the Hawleys have been a fucking joy to deal with.”
Dain’s lips twitched and then spread into an uneven grin. “They have been…an experience I long to forget.” He bowed his head. “I will check in with General Damron to see where I am needed.”
As the wolven headed back upstairs, I turned to Malik. “Is there anything we need to know before we head in there?
“They’re going to piss you off.”
“Great.” Unlocking the heavy iron door, I yanked it open. Instantly, the overpowering smell of musk slammed into us.
What is that? Poppy asked through the link.
My lip curled at the thick scent that seemed to cling to the walls. Something you’ll probably not want to know about.
There was a pause. Is it…sex?
Dirty sex. And not the fun type.
“Ew,” Poppy murmured.
“Ew is an understatement,” Delano remarked from behind her.
The floors under my muddy boots were made of cold, slick, black marble. Crimson velvet drapes hung from the ceiling, fringed with gold that glittered under the oversized chandelier, dripping with actual diamonds and rubies. But the limestone statues were a testament to what happened when one had more money than taste. Some of the sculptures had been depicted as eating. Others drank from a red chalice. At least two appeared to be having sex. All were nude and incredibly detailed.
“Who eats grapes like that while naked?” Poppy whispered, staring at a statue with grapes dangling above her open mouth.
“You don’t?” Malik drawled.
My head snapped in his direction, and a low, warning growl rumbled from my chest.
“Relax.” My brother chuckled. “It’s just an innocent question.”
“Perhaps it would’ve been if you hadn’t been groomed to wed my wife,” I snarled.
Poppy sighed.
Malik didn’t say anything, but the fucking smirk on his face said he found my response highly amusing. I wondered if he’d feel the same when I ripped his tongue out.
Sending him one last look of warning, I headed down the hall. The air got warmer. The drawing room was just as gaudy. Diamond-encrusted lampshades, gold-plated furniture with long-since-extinct animal prints, more naked statues, gilded—
“Why in the actual fuck are there so many mirrors?” Delano muttered.
“They enjoy looking at themselves,” Malik replied, his eyes narrowing on the hallway at the far end of the chamber where a sound like a dying cat echoed through the air.
Poppy stopped beside me, her lips pursed. “Well, now we know why they haven’t heard—”
My brows rose as a sigh so exaggerated it could’ve powered a mill for a year followed.
“Should we let them finish?” she asked.
I looked at her. “Why would we—?”
“Yes! Yes!” who I assumed was Lady Hawley screamed. “Fill me up!”
“Oh, my gods,” Poppy whispered, her cheeks flaming.
A groan, much like a large beast’s mating call, interrupted her.
“I think they’re finished.” Malik leaned against a granite fireplace. “Hopefully.”
For fuck’s sake.
I followed the sounds of panting to a set of double doors with what appeared to be a very…diverse orgy carved into it. Wood cracked and splintered as I planted my boot in the center of it, breaking the lock as I kicked it open.
A pale-haired woman twisted at the waist, her dark eyes glinting in the low light. Who I assumed was Lord Hawley was still beneath her as blood-red lips peeled back in a hiss, revealing slightly elongated canines.