Page 3 of Monsterland Mayhem

Gritting my teeth, I slowly manage to stumble to my feet, my toes instantly screaming at me for wearing the too-tight flats.

But at least the dress manages to cling to my ass. Not that there is anyone to flash, anyway.

Still, I want to retain what’s left of my dignity.

Master Pillar clears his throat, causing me to glance at him.

And sure enough, the rumors are right. This male has a remarkably symmetrical face.

However, his eyes… his eyes hold a touch of violence to them. One that has me wondering what kind of sins this male has committed.

Such a strange fascination, but nothing in my life has ever been deemed normal.

Most beings in the Hatter District have some semblance of magic. But not me. Never me.

Yet this being possesses intoxicating power, the wickedness of it flashing in his alluring eyes.

Like warm chocolate,I think, losing myself in his stare.

He raises a single brown brow, the darker color similar to his elegantly messy hair.

“Miss Marvel?” he prompts, drawing my focus to his full lips.

This is why I’ve never dared to look upon him,I think.I always knew he would be extraordinary.

His voice warned me of his appeal.

His presence cautioned me to submit and look away.

Yet a single clearing of his throat prompted my disobedience, and now… now I can’t stop staring at this beautiful male.

“Focus, Miss Marvel,” he tells me, his tone edged with dominance. “Drink.”

I blink as though yanked out of a daze, my surroundings settling around me in a flourish of chilling reality.

Master Pillar’s knuckles are white as he holds the chalice before me.Drink me, it says.

“Yes, right. I mean, yes, Master Pillar.” Wow, I’m fumbling this up spectacularly.

Just accept the drink and be done,I think with a mental shake.

Stepping forward, I instantly wince as pain shoots up my leg.

Ignore it,I growl at myself.Ignore it, take the chalice, and finish this.

I’ve not yet eaten today, or really drunk anything at all. Yet my stomach revolts at the sickly sweet scent wafting from the golden cup.

Still, I reach for the stem while Master Pillar observes me from beneath his long, thick eyelashes.

I wrap my fingers around his and the chalice he’s still holding, then lose myself in his gaze once more.

There’s a hint of malice dancing in his dark eyes, a hint of malice that has my insides churning once more.

Yet it’s not fear I feel. It’s intrigue.

Something is very wrong with me.

But what else is new?