Hell on Wheels (Faetal Attraction #1)

Circus

Whatever that asshole just did has the twins looking like they’re going to vomit and the crowd in an uproar. If I act surprised, it will ruin his big reveal and put me even higher on his shit list. Since I’ve pushed the cagey old fucker enough tonight, I smile at the demons and hybrids making a ruckus on the floor. My chin jerks up when a few give me disgusted expressions, and I loop my arms through the twins’ in a show of solidarity.

Anyone who thinks I’m not good enough for their… whatever the hell Luca said… can bite me.

In fact, I’d love to see them try. This party has been far too much goddamn fluff and not enough bloodshed as it is. When the hoopla continues without intervention from the big kahuna, I suck in a slow breath, then let it out before I turn to Angelo and kiss him firmly. His eyes widen, but I spin to do the same to Damon. Public displays of affection are the best way to convince these rioting idiots we’re serious, and this is some giant joke.

“ Princess, you’re playing with fire,” Angelo murmurs next to my ear. “I don’t think you realize what kind of target my father just painted on your back.”

I shrug. “I always have someone gunning for me; I’m used to it.”

Damon moves closer, pressing against my side as he joins us. “You’ll have to face the trials—and soon. He added yet another nightmare to our plate and I’m certain it was on purpose.”

“Did your mother pass these damn trials?” I ask curiously. “Is that normal for your intended or whatever the hell it’s called?”

Angelo finally takes my elbow, waving at the crowd with a wicked smirk as he leads me off the stage. “Unfortunately, yes. This is a rite of passage for an inductee in the caliphate and our family’s will be vicious. If he hadn’t used that ritual as quickly as he did, we might have been able to put it off.”

Great. I poked the demon and it bit back. Good job, Rogue.

“I agitated him, so he struck back in the worst possible way to teach me my place, right?” Damon helps escort me through the angry guests, but I’m looking at Angelo expectantly.

“Yep.” He grins, tilting his head at me. “Are you worried?”

Am I? I ponder it for a moment, and shake my head. “Nope. I have no idea what the fuck I’m going to be subjected to, but the Guardian training and induction stuff isn’t a cakewalk. There are some pretty shitty tests and even worse challenges as you rise through the ranks. Some people don’t make it, but Reb and I passed with flying fairy dust. Not unharmed, though.”

Damon makes a sound like he just discovered an unknown element, and we both wait for him to explain. We’re almost at the bar, and if we can get there, we’ll be able to make our way to the rest of the guys. “I remember that time in sixth grade when you two disappeared for a month. You came back looking like hell, but wouldn’t talk about it. It happened again every two years? The last one really had us worried because Reb looked like he damn near died.”

My lips curve up, and I nod. “He almost did. I mean, I almost did, too. The people they pit us against are fighting for their lives—which is what’s needed to make sure Guardians will give their lives for their charges. We’re not allowed to use magic if our enemies can see it, and we have to disguise ourselves. Our foes don’t know that we’re not human.”

Angelo whistles under his breath. “Neither of you have ever told us what went on during the absences. Are you going to get in trouble for it?”

“Nope. We can share Guardian information—some of it—with mates. Since you guys now qualify…” I wink at him and the twins both laugh as we push through the throng of drinkers to get to the end of the bar. Archie, Javi, and Reb are waiting for us, looking a bit surly.

I can’t blame them; we didn’t give them a heads up with what we planned to do.

“Have fun up there?” Reb sneers as he pushes the hair off his face. “It was a real family reunion. Oh, wait… not really because you got Rogue inducted into your caliphate by mistake .”

Damon looks sheepish as he rubs the back of his neck. “We really didn’t expect Luca to do that, much less publicly.”

“Why did he do it, dude? It seems really impulsive for a party,” Archie says after he tosses back his bourbon. “Caliphate shit isn’t a joke. Doesn’t it mean she has to… do shit?”

“It does,” Angelo confirms with a sigh. “Luca probably did it because our darling mate mouthed off to him the entire time you were all frozen. He seemed amused by her spunk—and he probably was—but in his usual ‘power move’ style, he threw a wrench in the gears because he could.”

Javi tilts his head back to look at the sky, rolling his eyes as he groans. “Ughhhh. Dragonfly, why ? Why would you poke one of the most powerful demons in the city?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I shrug. “Maybe because he was formulating plans for my fucking uterus? And by that, I mean, plans that involve all of you because he’s certain Javi and Archie’s parents will require spawn as well.”

Every one of them looks at me with gobsmacked expressions and I snort, then fall into delighted laughter. If people thought I looked scared by Luca’s proclamations, my three other fated men seem to be terrified by the mention of babies. That’s good because I have less than zero intention of thinking about that anytime soon, and the renewal of my Fae magical birth control, as well as the human implant, should keep us safe.

It’s fun to yank their chains, though.

“When can we leave?” I ask Angelo as we hold the bar. I’m not tipsy in the slightest—it takes a bit on normal liquor unless I’m pounding it—but I pretend to be a little buzzed, so the simpering demons who approach us think we’re celebrating. I’m sure every eye in this room belongs to Papa Gemini, and I don’t want him to think he’s bothered me in the slightest.

Damon squints, looking around the room at the huge swath of people still partying. “Not until this thins. Mom is still holding court with all the young, good-looking suck-ups while Dad has disappeared. Likely, he’s taking his aggression out on one or more of his paramours.”

“Mistresses? Don’t you get any ideas, horn boys. I’ll gut you like fish and use your balls for decorations on my car,” I threaten with dark eyes. “Just because I’m not concerned with what you do within our circle doesn’t mean I’ll accept being cuckolded.”

All the guys besides D look at me in surprise, but I simply raise my glass to them. Archie is the bravest—though I’m pretty sure I know why—and clears his throat. “What do you mean… within our circle?”

For fuck’s sake.

“Archer Glaser, don’t pretend to be a dumb jock; I know better. I was very clear in my statement. I’ll castrate you for straying, but if people have some unexpected feelings and desires within our family, I’d never stand in the way of that. You all seem to forget I’m unabashedly pansexual and would enjoy being part of many scenarios, including ones that involve discovering something new about yourselves. Take that as you will.”

I grin broadly, watching all of their expressions flicker and contort in various iterations of shock, thoughtfulness, and confusion. Perhaps Archie isn’t the only one with a secret desire? Delicious. Damon chuckles under his breath and I reward his good behavior by rising to my feet and taking his arm. “Mr. Gemini, will you escort me to the bathroom? I have need of the facilities.”

He smothers a huff of laughter as he eyes me. “You finally admit you need someone to help keep you safe, Sparkles?”

“As if, buddy. The women who might approach me to be catty need protection from me. I haven’t kicked someone’s ass in days . Do you understand how much pent-up rage I have inside of me? Keeping it under wraps to taunt your dad is driving me insane .”

Rebel snorts, finally breaking out of his trance. “ There’s our girl. Ready to rumble, no matter what the consequences.”

I wink at them as D turns to lead us through the crowd towards the farthest back entrance to the ballroom. His hand is over mine on his arm, patting it gently as we weave past fancy mobsters and their families. The looks burning into my back confirm that I was wise to bring one of the twins along with me. Women who thought they might snag the most eligible demon bachelors in the area are all ready to tear my throat out—or so they think.

I’d pick them off one by one without breaking a sweat; my wings are healed and my arm is good.

“Your face says you’re thinking about maiming someone,” Damon whispers in an amused tone. “Who spiked your temper?”

Shaking my head, I squeeze his arm. “No one in particular, baby. The amount of women,” I frown for a moment, then chuckle, “and men giving me death glares are making my more aggressive nature bristle. I hate being trussed up like a showgirl and paraded around like a prized thoroughbred instead of busting ribs.”

“As beautiful as you look,” Damon says as he lifts my hand to his lips for a soft kiss, “I think you’re hot as fuck either way.”

“Uh, that’s because you like me pinning you down and taking what I want, little demon.” My eyes flash as I grin wickedly and he swallows hard. “Perhaps that’s what this party needs… a scent trail to back these itches up before I lose my shit.”

We come to the end of the hallway and Damon turns me to face him, looking into my eyes with a dark hunger. “Did you really need the bathroom, or was this an excuse to get me alone?”

Unfortunately, it’s the former…. damn it.

“I am deeply saddened to inform you that I didn’t plan a rendez-vous with you.” I lean in and kiss his nose. “But I might be convinced later. Wait here.”

He grins, moving to slouch against the opposite wall where a couple of other beefy looking men and one buff ass chick are positioned. “See you soon.”

As I walk into the gilded powder room, I realize this must be a bathroom specifically designed to be for the ornate ballroom. It has a small, elegantly decorated lounge at the front with chairs, couches, and a wall of vanities with various toiletries. Super fancy, but I don’t need any of it and I definitely don’t want to talk to any of the women touching up. Moving quickly, I head to the back where there are five spacious stalls opposite the sinks with swank looking towels and soaps on them.

The rich really live a life most people only see in fucking movies… this is like a damn hotel.

Making an annoyed sound, I open the door of the first stall that has a little ‘unoccupied’ LED on it and lock myself inside. Dealing with the dress is a bit of a struggle and I give up to use magic, then stand up, hoping to get out of here before?—

“On the hooves of Beezle, did you see that tramp?”

The next sound is a chorus of bitchy giggles, and I put my forehead on the door. This is so bad; I’ve never been good at turning the other cheek. That’s why I started playing in the Derby. I needed to drain some of the anger when I wasn’t on jobs or in Guardian training before I got myself kicked out for beating some dickhead senseless.

“Cheshmak, you’re clearly more beautiful and deserving of that position. The twins have definitely been bewitched by the Fae whore.”

I let out a slow, silent breath as I close my eyes and count in ancient Sumerian to keep myself calm. Smart Rogue would step out of this little room and ignore them, then leave before she does something immensely stupid. However, Rainbow Smite, Guardian Rogue, and Possessive Mate Rogue are holding that bitch down at the moment. They all think we should stay here, listen, and gather as much intel as we can before smashing her stupid face into a mirror.

I contain multitudes; what can I say?