King of the Unsightly (Tempting Trickery #1)

Vodka, Stitches, and a Brewing Storm

G ren put on some of Levisus’s clothes so he wasn’t parading around naked—unaware that if he did, it was strange behavior.

It fit Gren’s body well but looked a little lax around the shoulders. His build was thinner than that monster of a man; not that Gren was small by any means, just not as big as Levisus.

Gren stood there tugging at the collar of his gray shirt as he shimmied uncomfortably from the loose-fitting black slacks and dark cherry-wood-colored shoes.

My focus snapped back to the void in the wall as it pulsated in rhythmic waves like a heartbeat.

It occurred to me how odd it was for Levisus to have a conveniently placed escape route, but Kaschel didn’t seem bothered by it. So maybe it was normal since Levisus practiced magic? Sorcery?

I wasn’t sure what that shifty-ass man did in the safety of his room, yet I was still thankful we were leaving this god-awful place. But no matter where or what we had to walk through—shadows, portals, creepy forests, or whatnot—they all gave me the same chills nipping at my neck.

My legs moved on their own accord, and the darkness invaded every crevice of my body and propelled me forward.

My lungs constricted and I gasped for air but nothing, only the feeling of floating in space without the intense pressure of boiling, freezing, and expanding your body, leaving you unrecognizable.

Gren saw my discomfort and gently grabbed my hand. He mouthed his favorite phrase, You have nothing to fear.

I smiled unintentionally at him, but my comfort melted away as a disturbing thought filled my mind. The half a soul thing was maddening, but maybe there was some consolation knowing I didn’t transform him into some bloodthirsty monster or demon.

The void spit me out and relaxation washed over me until I saw we were back in a forest.

And my heart sank.

I was so sick of nature at this point.

Was it impossible to drop us at a coffee shop or comfy bed? Would they force me to hike on foot for miles again?

My body crumpled inside at the mere thought of it.

I wanted to beg someone to carry me, but my pride wouldn’t allow it. I had already been carried much more than I would have liked in the past twenty-four hours.

But if I was being honest, I wasn’t sure how long I could last with the blisters on my heels and the throbbing pain from my wrist. Both emitted a sharp pain with every muscle I moved once the adrenaline wore off.

Kaschel chanted under his breath and the air shifted as a cool breeze caressed my body.

Thank fuck walking was out of the picture.

My eyes followed the shade from the trees balling together until a black hole appeared in front of us.

The memories of how the shadows rubbed up against my skin sent shivers down my body, and I shuddered. Was this really any better than walking?

Kaschel waved us in, and I held my breath once again and trudged through as the darkness clung to my skin like souls of the damned trying to drag me to an eternal slumber. I would have loved to take them up on that offer; sleep sounded incredible, but it was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

Bile threatened to rise in my throat, and I staggered out of the shadows.

The only food I kept down this entire trip—the crusty-ass protein bar—almost spewed out my mouth.

I shot a glare at the three of them. How were they unaffected? Bastards.

When my stomach settled, I caught wind of my surroundings. We were back in Kaschel’s dreadful vampiric mansion.

I sighed. It’s like we took a 360. Ground zero.

How many days did I have left to get the second key? Valeria wouldn’t give me much leeway; I knew that much.

Newly formed shadows shot out from the corner as Ryas transformed and strolled right up to Kaschel. Her white waves flowed with each stride.

“I have news—”

Kaschel held up his hand and it silenced her. “Take our guests to their rooms first.” He looked back at Levisus. “Follow me. We have a lot to discuss. Don’t we?”

Levisus eyed Ryas and me. “I would much rather follow where the fun will be held.”

Ryas scrunched her face in disgust.

Kaschel clicked his tongue. “You’ll have plenty of time for brothels when we retrieve my key and your brother. Unless saving him isn’t vital to you anymore?” Kaschel turned away, not even bothering to hear Levisus’s reply.

Levisus leaned toward me. “I’m afraid the big mean boss is asking me to work overtime. Have a good night, love.” Levisus snatched my wrist and kissed my palm.

I shuddered from his warm lips pressing against my cool skin.

Ryas rolled her eyes as Levisus walked past her, winking as he hustled to get to Kaschel’s side.

“Follow me.” Ryas didn’t give me or Gren the time of day as she walked past us, opposite to Kaschel and Levisus.

We wandered through a dark corridor with hundreds of oil paintings on the walls; they resembled a family tree spreading its branches and it looked never-ending. The more I studied the portraits, the creepier they got.

We came upon a wooden door weathered by age—dim and eerie just like the paintings.

Ryas pushed the door open and looked at Gren. “This will be your room. You’ll find everything you need until morning.”

“I will be staying with Addy. No reason to separate us.”

Ryas lowered a brow at me, ignoring Gren. “Are all the men you brought here perverted playboys?”

“Gren’s my familiar,” I snapped back. For some reason I felt I needed to defend myself, but was he really mine ?

Ryas swayed over to Gren. She looked at him. “Ah. The crow. I didn’t think you would give up your soul so quickly.” Ryas shrugged. “No matter. I suggest you stay in separate rooms unless you’re okay with bathing with your familiar, which I guess most of your kind does.”

“NO.” I cleared my throat. “I mean.” I glanced at Gren with a soft smile. “It will only be until morning.”

Gren glared at Ryas as she beamed at him with a devilish grin. “Fine, but if you need anything ... I’m right here.”

I mouthed a thank you as Gren gave me a small nod and stepped through the door.

Ryas slammed it shut and turned back to me with a mischievous sparkle in her green eyes. “You seem to be some kind of supernatural dick magnet.”

I choked on my spit as I forced out the words, “It’s not like that with any of them.”

Ryas laughed and it thundered through the vast corridor. “Sure.”

I was appalled by her insinuation, but I didn’t think I needed to defend myself further.

Ryas’s pointy heels clicked against the floors until we stumbled upon the same room I used the day before. She pushed the door open and waved me inside.

The midnight-blue walls were oddly calming and the black spiral bed frame with pillars and intricately carved skulls and flowers protruding out of the eye sockets didn’t seem to scare me anymore.

Even the mirrors on every wall except for the one with the vanity dresser made the place feel more ... open and inviting.

I think I finally turned batshit crazy.

“It’s been cleaned, and I happened to come across some old clothes I was getting rid of.” She motioned her wrist toward the outfits lying on the vanity dresser beside the bed. “It’s not much but it’s better than the alternative.”

“Thank you,” I said with sincerity.

How was I so relieved to be back in this room?

Ryas coughed and shifted uncomfortably. “I assume tomorrow will be rough, so eat the food on the tray and rest because it will only get worse from here.”

Without thinking, I ran up to Ryas and hugged her.

Tears trickled down my face and a small sob escaped me.

I had no clue why I was hugging her ... maybe the sleep deprivation, the familiarity of her presence, or the tray of food.

Probably the food.

Ryas stiffened under my embrace, but I didn’t care. I felt somewhat normal as I squeezed her tighter.

It became painstakingly obvious—I needed more friends.

Ryas slowly patted my head like some pet and pried my arms off her. “You’re making me feel uncomfortable if this is all it takes to make you happy. So, let’s not do this again. Okay?”

A pathetic okay left my throat as she walked out of the room leaving my thoughts to devour my wavering sanity.

I had to be starved for physical and emotional affection—and it didn’t feel too great.

The bathroom door stood a few feet from me, and I wobbled into the room before witnessing the bath magically fill up with hot, steaming water.

The room had pure white marble with gold laced throughout it. The massive cast-iron tub complemented the floors as it glowed a coppery hue from the candles. A heavy contrast to the other part of the room.

I peeled the clothes off that clung to my body and submerged myself.

All the events I had gone through flashed like a cinematic movie through my closed eyelids with all the heart-pounding emotions to follow.

I didn’t know how long I stayed in tub, letting all the emotions flow through me like waves crashing on the shoreline—each one hitting harder than the next.

My pruned hands rubbed against my soft skin, and I hissed when I hit my open wound on the side of the tub.

I stood up and grabbed the towel hanging on the wall, dried myself, and wrapped it around me.

The mirror caught my attention as I took in my reflection after what felt like an eternity.

I looked like a stranger. My cheeks were flushed from the steam and my wet brunette hair rested in loose waves below my chest. My blue eyes with specks of gold shimmered in the candlelight and had dark bags below them.

I sighed, ambled out of the bathroom, snatched the plate of food with my good hand, flopped myself on the bed, and started devouring the meat first and then the fruit.

A shadow shot to the corner of the room and shifted.

Did Ryas forget something ? I knew for a fact she wasn’t coming back for another hug.

Kaschel rose from the darkness and stalked toward me.

My gaze lowered with distrust as I studied his outfit. A loose white silk shirt and matching pants, leaving his muscles exposed when the candlelight hit him just right.

Kaschel’s eyes swayed like purple flames as his damp hair draped behind him.

He pointed at me. “Let me see.”

I moved my hands up to cover my exposed collarbone. “Excuse me?”

Kaschel tapped his hand impatiently. “Your wrist.”

“Oh. I’m sure you could have Ryas look at it, or give me the proper supplies and I could handle it.” Or anyone besides you.

Of course, Kaschel didn’t listen and sat beside me. His shirt shifted and revealed his bulging pecs. So close that more of the scar peeked out, trailing down his abdomen.

I looked up at his face and he held an unreadable expression.

He was so good at masking his emotions, and it annoyed the hell out of me.

Kaschel grabbed my wrist, and I flinched. His touch, scalding hot against my skin. He glanced at me and back to my hand.

Kaschel twisted it up and inspected my wound. “You need stitches and to clean it so it doesn’t get infected.”

“Do you have one of those staple guns? I can do it myself,” I lied. Did he really think I was going to let him stab me? Multiple times?

“If Ryas does it, you’ll come out needing more, and you ... stitching yourself? Don’t make me laugh.” Kaschel turned away and grabbed the bottle off the vanity dresser. “Drink this.”

I looked down at the vodka, skeptically. “Do you think I look like someone who frequents a shady butcher shop for stitches, and it only takes a little bit of vodka to alleviate the pain and make me brave?”

Kaschel’s deep chuckle antagonized my skin, the vibrations of his voice sent shivers through our connected hands. I sucked in a breath and avoided his detached stare.

The audacity of this man.

“I don’t think you want me to answer that.” Kaschel lifted the bottle and poured me a glass. “And don’t worry. It’s from your world. I have no reason, nor the desire, to see you drugged like before.”

I knew I was anxiously staring but that wasn’t what I was afraid of.

“What reassuring words.” I groaned and looked down at his hands. “Fine.” I snatched the bottle from him instead of the cup.

I lifted it to my mouth, pinched my nose, and chugged.

I gulped and wiped my mouth, making a face as the vodka burned its way down to my stomach. “Now I need something to put in my mouth.” I’ve seen movies and I know you need something to bite down on.

I frantically looked around for something. Would a bagel work?

“Oh?” Kaschel purred.

My eyes shot back to him. “Not like that,” I said, stumbling over my words.