Page 90 of Mated to Monsters
More tears come.
Will I see him again before all of the demons of Ti’lith destroy me?
In his bed, under his fierce hand, I was certain he reserved some affection for me, or how could I have survived his ire? Will he even care, when she directs my ruin? Even now, I wonder where he is, and if he even noticed that I went missing.
Still, I have to hope.
The demon finds what she’s looking for, a leather strap with a heavy dark stone at its center. She seems pleased with herself when she stands. “This will keep you quiet.”
I shake my head when she brings the stone to my mouth. “Rej’thorek will be furious when he finds out! You can’t-” I struggle against the bond, but she’s too strong, lashing it around my head and securing the belt, sufficiently silencing me with the gag.
She backs up to observe her work, looking all too pleased with herself. “You flatter yourself, darling.
“He won’t want you when I’m through.”
55
REJ’THOREK
It takes all my strength not to splinter the door when I knock.
There’s a deep silence within, and at first, I think I might have gotten the wrong building. But the red curtains are drawn in the narrow windows, and through the haze of memory, I recall the proud archway, so different than the other structures in the matron’s circle. It suits Yedina perfectly. Leave it to her to design a dwelling to be as ostentatious as its owner.
A set of guards pass by.
Their collective gaze slides to me, but they say nothing as I pound on the door a little harder. It must not be such an uncommon sight around here, and no doubt they recognize me as one of royal blood, even if I am a lesser known Prince.
I sense the burn of their focus, but it fades when the door opens, and Yedina leans against the doorframe in a languid fashion, entirely in the nude. I almost forget to breathe, hating that my body still remembers how well her naked form fit against mine.
Her fingers drop between her thighs as if to rouse us both. “Good evening,” she murmurs, teasing herself for every demon on the street to see.
I swallow down a sudden revulsion. “Yedina.”
“I never thought you’d come, my Prince,” she says, her perfect mouth curling up at the edges. “What made you change your mind?”
“Don’t play coy,” I say on a growl, glancing past her into her home. “Where is she?”
Her face drops into something irritable, but only for a second before she collects herself. Her fingers slide up my chest, those wicked little nails chasing over my strong neck. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Rej. It’s just you and me and my treasure chest of toys at your disposal…”
I ignore her vain prattling.
My senses are already on high alert, and though there’s a heavy reek of sex billowing out of her front door, there’s a familiar scent just beneath, sharp with fear. It makes my nose curl, and I storm past Yedina, shoving her aside.
Each room is dark and empty.
Hollow, like Yedina’s cloying tone as she follows close behind. She could have any creature on Galmoleth, yet she chooses to torment me. “Rej- it isn’t polite to ignore your host.”
“You took what was mine, Yedina,” I say, whipping around to face her. “I won’t ask again, where is she?”
Her defiant expression cools for defeat, and she puts an arm out in the direction of her bedroom. “This way.”
A prickling rage raises the little hairs on the back of my neck.
What did she do to Laura?
At least, to her credit, I don’t smell blood, or hear the sounds of human screams. Not yet, anyway. But I know how fierce Yedina can get when faced with competition. And if I’m being honest with myself, the rage is being fueled by a heavy undercurrent of fear.
I’m a Prince. And a demon, at that.