King of the Unsightly (Tempting Trickery #1)

Unsightly Beings

“S top trying to scare her,” Kaschel grumbled as he straightened out his black shirt.

His intense physique was ridiculous. I wanted to claw my eyes out just looking at him as I watched every muscle in his arms flex. It’s like everyone around me spent all hours of the day at the gym. I would love to think it was glamour and they were disguising their true selves; I, on the other hand, could not hide my lack of muscle mass and weak stamina.

Wow, what a jealous thought, but how could they expect me to run away from danger when I got winded in five seconds?

It was asinine. I wasn’t built for this. I wasn’t some fae warrior who’s lived through countless battles with a thirst for blood and riddles.

I was some broke bitch orphan who could barely hold down a dead-end job. My idea of a good time wasn’t going off on an otherworldly adventure and being hunted by the occasional demon or monster. No. I wanted to watch my favorite TV shows on repeat. I needed fluff. Some romance, happily-ever-after bullshit that makes me feel warm and fuzzy despite my hellish life beating me down. That kind of fluff.

Yet here I was—where a banshee, or whatever else crawled around in this god-forsaken world, could easily drag me by my hair and throw me into some creepy glass display. Getting kidnapped again? No thanks.

I knew I was the easy target in the group, and it frustrated me to no end.

I had never relied on anyone except for Lucien my entire life. Now I had to hope Kaschel would help me out of the goodness of his heart for some silly keys? What a joke.

No one here was on my side. I had to make sure I reminded myself, so my focus remained on saving the only person who mattered. God, I missed Lucien, and I hoped, somehow ... he was doing okay despite it all.

I clenched the key tightly in my pocket. My attention was on the door as Kaschel stalked over to my side, shoulder-checking Levisus along the way.

They acted like two college bros who needed to let go of their pride and hug it out.

And I thought I was a petty one, but they proved me otherwise.

Kaschel lowered his head, and his gaze darkened with a flash of dismay swirling in his amethyst eyes. “Are you able to walk farther?” He dropped a brow like he was concerned for my well-being.

The concern was not for me but for what I could or couldn’t accomplish on our dumb quest to find the other key.

I desperately wanted to scream at the top of my lungs and tell Kaschel off. That, fuck no I’m not okay. I was dehydrated and the crusty, dried-up protein bar only made it worse. I wanted to eat, cry, and sleep.

My lips pulled into a thin line and I forced a jaded smile. “Yep, all good. Could even run a marathon. I feel so incredible.” A hint of sarcasm oozed from my voice, but Kaschel didn’t notice or care. Probably the latter.

“Good.” Kaschel turned away.

Levisus interjected. “Love, I wouldn’t mind carrying you if it becomes too much.” He winked at me, and I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.

My frown worsened, and I couldn’t hide the aggravation in my voice. “Worry about each other, and if Kaschel gets tired, you can princess-carry him. I’ll manage.”

Levisus’s smirk turned into a pout as he sided-eyed Kaschel. “I would offer, but I think he’d slit my throat if I did. Royals.” Levisus tsked. “So quick to resort to violence.”

Kaschel’s eye twitched as he stiffened up.

Now they teased each other like childhood friends. It piqued my interest, but not enough to ask them directly.

I poked Kaschel’s chest, nearly breaking my finger in half. “If you’re so concerned with me slowing you down, why don’t you do that shadow thing and transport us? It would save us the trouble and save us from your complaining.”

Kaschel rubbed his temple and leaned closer to me. A few strands of his alabaster hair tickled my cheek.

His cool breath caressed my ear as he asked, “My shadow thing?”

The hairs on my arms raised, and I wished to retreat inward, but I was so sick of being intimidated. So sick of people pushing me around.

I hated not having control.

I stood my ground and faced Kaschel, lifting my chin to lock eyes with him, my finger still pressed to his chest. “You heard me. Unless it’s too much for you to handle?”

I had always been ballsy, but I hoped my luck hadn’t run out before Kaschel’s patience for me grew too thin.

Kaschel sneered and turned slightly away as he brushed his loose strands behind his pointed ear.

The veins in his neck tensed up as he bit down and looked back at me. “That’s not how it works.”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate. “He can only go where a fae’s soul is haunting and hasn’t crossed over to our lands yet,” Levisus said, plainly.

“Don’t make me laugh.” I imitated a fake laugh. “What are you, the Grim Reaper? No wait. The Lord of Death?” Wow, it sounded even more laughable out loud.

Any hint of anger or amusement from earlier had drained from Kaschel’s face as he said, “No, and it’s not important. We need to leave.”

Kaschel stalked over to the door as Levisus stood next to me and leaned down.

Levisus brought his hand to his mouth and whispered, “He gets testy when people call him that. Try king of the unsightly or shadow daddy. He absolutely loathes the last one. I use it all the time if I want to push his buttons.”

“Pfft.” I choked on my own spit and threw my hand to cover my mouth, stifling the laughter back down.

I inclined my head to meet Levisus’s mischievous grin as he held his pointer finger to his lips, hushing me when Kaschel snapped his sharp eyes in our direction.

I didn’t know how to respond. Levisus was a loose cannon. I mean, did he really say shadow daddy ? No. I slapped my cheeks to snap out of it.

It had nothing to do with me. I didn’t need to be curious, and I definitely didn’t need to call him that ; I needed to bury it. I cleared my throat and stayed silent as I trailed behind the two guys walking a little too fast through the endless corridor. The noisy chatter penetrated through the walls and muffled everything around me.

I tried to focus on how I would find Gren and talk to him alone without the pointy-eared bastards overhearing us. Kaschel had to have super-hearing, which only made it hard to sneak around.

We stepped outside of the building, and I took a deep breath. The suffocating smell of lavender-infused perfume affected me more than I thought.

The streets thinned out. Not a soul in sight as the rain had ceased. The two moons were spellbinding as their glow lit a path to the impenetrable forest.

I skimmed the area, but I couldn’t see Gren anywhere.

My jaw was taut as my heart palpitated roughly against my chest. An intrusive thought forced its way into my mind. If Gren left me, I truly would be alone.

The flapping of wings came from behind me, and all the built-up tension left my body as I twisted around to the building’s entrance, seeing Gren perched at the top.

He glided off the ledge and plopped to my side. My shaky breath steadied, and I exhaled, patting his feathers down. “You scared me,” I murmured.

Gren tilted his beak and glanced at the forest. “You know I would never leave you. I just felt something, but it vanished. I’m not sure if I imagined it or not.”

I stood silent. I didn’t want to deal with any more supernatural BS. I barely survived Valeria’s torment. If she desired, she could have killed me.

God, it seemed like my life was only spared by those who wanted something from me.

“I sensed a faint, dark aura from our world but it’s gone. There’s a ritual that will—”

A bloodcurdling screech resounded off the forest trees. Then, only a deafening stillness as Kaschel scooped me up and pressed me firmly against his chest.

His gaze fell on Gren. “Can you scope out the area and see how much time we have?”

Gren reluctantly nodded and disappeared into the night sky, right toward the horrifying sound. But all I could think about was ... would Gren be okay?

Kaschel glanced back at Levisus. “Is your place warded?”

Levisus scrunched his face. “What do you take me for? A halfwit? Of course it is.”

“Was that a banshee?” I asked, but I regretted my words. I sounded like an idiot. I guess in these types of situations, I was one.

I wished sometimes I kept my mouth shut.

I pushed myself away from Kaschel’s chest, but his grip only tightened. “I didn’t think they would find me so soon. I thought we had more time. How careless,” Kaschel snarled under his breath.

Gren reappeared, and he looked frightened by what he witnessed.

He croaked out, “Thirty meters away, but it’s gaining on us faster. Maybe five minutes max.”

Kaschel nodded, but kept his focus on Levisus as he said, “Lead the way.”