Page 65 of Devil In Boots

“Then I also say no.” I moved closer to Cooper, both of us glancing over at Croygen.

“Wait, you aren’t actually going to trust her?” Cooper watched him, his brows crinkling.

Croygen continued to study her, probably knowing all her tells after so many years together.

“How do you know where it is, Mar?” Croygen stepped closer to her.

I cringed at his nickname for her, hating their years of history.

Her lips pinched together.

“O-kay, I didn’t tell the whole truth.”Shocker. “I mean, they took the nectar and left me, but later that night, in a pub near the palace, I tracked one named Vale down there, and…”

“You pulled an Amara.” Croygen snorted. “Which means you got him very drunk. Then once he took you back to his room, you drugged him, getting answers. And probably robbed him too.”

My throat tightened.

That sounded very close to what I used to do. I couldn’t stand this woman—I hated her—but I was no different. I screwed, stole, and “drugged” men with my pussy. I didn’t judge her for that part. I hated her because she fucked Croygen for the pleasure, not because he was a “job.”

The thought of him being with anyone else, especially her, twisted me up and itched my skin. My cat skimmed the surface, ready to attack and kill.

Mine.

“Don’t act like that’s not exactly what you do,” she snarled at him.

“I don’t have to drug them. They gave their money and secrets to me willingly,” Croygen jabbed back.

“He told you where it is?” I cut into their conversation, fur bristling down my back.

Croygen’s head shot to me, his mouth twitching with smugness, and I knew he somehow detected my anger… my jealousy.

“It’s being temporarily held in this new prison he is building right now. The walls are thick, and it is guarded around the clock.”

“The prison.” Croygen clicked his tongue. “The one with tunnels connected right to that church.”

“Yes. And I know where.” She looked at all of us. If she knew about this prison, she might be telling the truth. “Do we have a deal?”

A thump came from somewhere, twisting us around in search.

“Wait.” Annabeth finally spoke, her attention darting over the room. “Where is Sprig?”

“Oh… that thing?” Amara tapped her lips as another thud came from the dresser. “He needed a little time out.”

“Shit.” Croygen darted for the bureau, yanking the drawer out. Inside, tied up and muzzled with his new white underwear cape, Sprig wrestled around, noises muttering from him.

Croygen picked him up, pulling the fabric from his mouth.

“Purple-Medusa!” he shrieked. “I will poop in your mouth as you sleep! I will piss in your ears, you anorexic Muppet! Curse you, purple cabbage head!”

“Uh-oh.” Croygen unwound him from his bindings, looking at Amara. “You’ve pissed off the Monkey King.”

Moonlight streamed through the thin curtains, accompanied by muttering from the homeless below the open window or those fae enjoying the night. The room was hot with so many supernatural bodies inside it. My ears twitched at every sound, every heavy breath in the room, especially from the one sleeping on the floor.

None of us wanted her here, but we trusted her less to not be in our sight. Amara threw a fit about being on the floor, but Croygen put his foot down.

“Remember Peru?” He got in her face. “I slept on that floor for weeks. Ryker was way too considerate of you. But you see, I’ve learned that lesson. You don’t get to be the evil backstabbing bitch from hell and still demand privileges. Not how it works here.” He tossed down a hard pillow from the chair with a thump. “Enjoy the nice comfy floor, Mar.” He turned away, strolling to the bed I was in. “We’ll review our plan tomorrow morning. Think we could all use some sleep.” He addressed the room before crawling in next to me, his back to me, his walls up and prickly.

So here I lay wide awake hours later, dawn approaching, next to the captain who ruined my life, the same man who turned my body to liquid with a look.