Page 57 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘How many are there all together?’

The answer to my question comes to me as it always does, as an echo of multiple whispers in my head.

Twenty-five. Dead as dormice.

I snort. ‘Quite a number for an attack like this,’ I remark aloud. ‘Any left to question?’

All dead.

‘How are they getting in, I wonder.’

Silence.

The maze doesn’t know.

‘Were you sidetracked?’ I can’t help but sneer.

Laughter. Sidetracked.

‘You hate everyone. Why her?’

Nice to us.

I roll my eyes.

‘Keep an eye on the fountain. That’s where they got in last time. There must be a weakness there from when those fae tore a hole through the Breach before. Do what you will with the bodies, but make sure she doesn’t see them.’

Am I really considering letting her wander around free again? Would I really allow her back in the maze after the vamps were able to break through? The truth is, she’ll find a way to do as she likes, and I have a feeling that reprimands will do nothing to deter her.

I turn to leave, ducking my head at the hole. I hesitate before I step through.

‘She’s with child,’ I say. ‘If you want her safe, when she comes here for a link key again, don’t give her one. In fact, lock her out altogether.’

I leave and return to the library. I sit at my desk and try to work because I know I won’t be able to sleep, but thoughts of her melting under my skilled hands, while I was massaging her shoulder, keep intruding. After I read the same paragraph three times, I let out a growl and I stride from the library.

Alone in my room, I shed my clothes and dive into my shower, hoping the freezing water will bring me to my senses.

It does, and I dry off, putting on a pair of loose trousers to sleep in. I glance at my clock. It’s almost two. She should be asleep by now, so I can sneak in and grab that key before she inevitably attempts to use it again. I know her; she won’t be able to help herself.

I quietly open my closet door and pad into the fold silently. The room is dark, and I see she’s under the covers of her bed, so I start looking for the disk.

I freeze as I hear a low whimper, afraid she’s in some kind of distress and needs help.

She moans, the blanket moving. My mouth drops open when I realize what she’s doing. There’s no way she heard me come in. I stand by the wall and listen to her pleasuring herself, wondering if I should sneak out but knowing I won’t.

‘Julian,’ she whimpers.

She’s fantasizing aboutme.

I step closer, unable to help myself. Her eyes are closed, and she makes a sound of frustration as she kicks off the sheet, baring her naked body to me.

She does need help, I realize in amusement. Just not the sort I thought when I first heard those moans.

I can’t help but stare down at her, taking in her body as I watch her chase her pleasure. The sight of it unlocks something in me that I’ve tried not to allow myself to feel with her. Lust. But it’s impossible. She’s such a sensual creature.

I hear her gasp, and my eyes find hers, noting that they’re now wide and pleading. Her fingers are frozen in her pussy as she stares at me, clearly not able to comprehend that I’m there and that I’m watching her.

‘Don’t stop on my account, darling.’