Page 74 of Hell Fae Warden

Odd.

Swallowing my nerves, I stepped into the room and allowed myself to take in the space.

A marbled foyer gave way to an oversized living area with black leather couches, blood-red rugs, and a massive black screen—one I assumed functioned like a television in the Human Realm. Beside it was a kitchen with a bar area that appeared to be fully stocked.

And there were also some odd-looking metal beams that resembled…

Hold on.

“Are those stripper poles?” I asked, incredulous.

“Only if you want to use them as such,” Melek murmured. “There’s also a master bedroom and luxury bathroom down the hall to the right. Both of which are built to handle group play—I mean, multiple guests.”

I glanced sideways at him, fully aware that he didn’t mean that last correction at all. “Uh-huh.” I was about to correct him—by saying what, I wasn’t sure, because he had just caught me with Az between my legs and Ajax at my mouth—when he started whispering to himself.

My brow furrowed as the area distorted around me.Wait. Was all this a trick? A way to pass time? Am I being taken to…?My thoughts slowed as the room reappeared, but with several new additions.

A pizza oven had joined the kitchen area, equipped with real flames. An espresso machine now rested on the breakfast bar. And a wine cooler had been set up near the black screen in the living space.

“Oh.” Well, that… that was nice. “Thank you.”

Melek’s dimples returned, seemingly pleased with my approval. “I added a few of my favorites to the fridge as well,” he said. “Human foods, I mean. Like cheese.”

I started toward the kitchen, curious to see what else he’d added, when the door to the room slammed open, making me jump.

Oh, no. He’s—

“Ajax?” Relief caused my shoulders to fall on a puff of air, my heart rate instantly slowing.Thank God.

Except he didn’t look all that pleased to see me. In fact, he seemed quite pissed off about it.

He dropped a duffel bag on the floor just inside the room and headed straight for the kitchen. “There had better be liquor in here.”

My eyebrows flew upward while Melek chuckled. “There is now,” he replied with a twinkle in his gaze. Then he looked at me and said, “It appears my shift is over. But if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call for me.”

Uh…I wasn’t sure I wanted him to leave just yet, especially with Ajax revealing his broody mood. “You don’t want to stay?” I hedged, hating the needy note in my voice. It wasn’t like me at all, but I felt so unprotected here—so at the mercy of the literal King of Hell.

And so unprepared for whatever was about to happen next.

“You’re in good hands, little angel,” Melek told me. But then he wandered over to whisper something to Ajax that made the Midnight Fae frown.

I frowned, too, wondering what he’d just said. But before I could ask, he disappeared, leaving me alone with the Warden.

Whatever it was, it made Ajax grunt a second later as he opened one of the cupboards and pulled out a bottle of amber liquid.

He unscrewed the top and took a healthy gulp, not bothering for a glass.

I stared at him, waiting for an explanation as to his current mood. But he didn’t provide one.

Az’s warning played through my mind, the one he’d given me after I’d woken up in Ajax’s bed.

“This is going to make him feel. He’ll do his best to push you away as a result.”

“He’ll think he regrets it. But it’ll be a lie.”

Is that what this is?I wondered.Is Ajax regressing into asshole mode again?

Because I refused to accept that. Not after everything that had happened between us. He’d interrogated me. Used snakes to torment me. Then he’d come in all contrite—albeit led by an angry Phoenix in the process, but I’d felt his remorse—and had allowed me to do the same right back to him.