Venom And Vice

4

He was made of flesh and bone and carnal desires just like the rest of us, despite the cold-blooded image he projected. I lay there so long, lost in thought, that the last of my energy drained away before I could take a quick shower. I should have at least removed my makeup, but my veins still thrummed with alcohol and s*x. Giving in to the seductive lure of sleep, I tugged the comforter over me and drifted off with the rich taste of satisfaction still lingering on my tongue. “Ash, honey. Wake up.” The distant sound of Rebecca’s voice penetrated deep into my subconscious. My initial instinct was to swat anything threatening to disrupt my delightfully catatonic state, but a small sliver of rational thought reminded me that this was Becca talking, and she rarely woke me for no reason. Reluctantly, I coaxed my eyes open and looked blearily at my best friend. “What time is it?” I could have sworn it wasn’t a minute later than four or five in the morning from the way I felt, but the light seeping in behind the drapes told a different story. “It’s a little after nine. I’m so sorry to wake you, but I wanted to see you before I left.” “Before you left? Where are you going?” Her words pulled me fully awake, prompting me to sit up and note the formal nature of her dress and hair. Becca didn’t get dolled up for the fun of it like I did. Something was up. “Lochlan is taking me to Faery to talk to Queen Guin.” “What? Why? Did she summon you?” The queen had warned Becca that once she was fully Fae, Becca would have to live in Faery. We’d both have to face the issue eventually, but I assumed we’d have more time. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since Morgan had been defeated. “No. I want to do this on my terms.” My eyes narrowed. “Bec, I’m not sure this is a good idea. Maybe you should let the sleeping dog lie. What if she doesn’t let you come back here?” My heart rate quickened until I could feel it fluttering at the base of my throat. Becca shrugged. “I don’t want her threats hanging over me indefinitely. I know it’s a risk, but that’s why I wanted to see you before we go. If I’m not able to return, I don’t want you to worry about me. Do everything you can to stay here, and if you wouldn’t mind horribly, look after my parents.” Her brown eyes pleaded with mine as if I would ever tell her no. “Of course, I will, but that’s not happening.” She lifted her hand to stop me from arguing. “I’m just covering all my bases. I have a plan, but nothing is foolproof.” Becca spoke with a commanding confidence she hadn’t possessed when she first arrived in Belfast. My best friend had always been kind and generous, but now she radiated self-assurance. Not the puffed-up kind that reeked of arrogance. Inner strength and accomplishment had sculpted her into a woman of power, and I couldn’t be prouder. “Okay, Bec,” I said, my voice quavering. “You be careful, and I’ll see you when you get back.” We came together in a sisterly hug. Neither of us had any actual sisters, but I was of the opinion that a chosen sister was even better—all of the best parts without the bickering. Bec was my sister from another mister, and I was so glad we were on this adventure together. She was gone a few minutes later, and I was wide awake. And worried. If I didn’t find something to do while Becca was gone, I would go crazy with the uncertainty. I took a long, hot shower. It felt amazing, but I needed to get out of the apartment. I needed a distraction. Once I was dressed and ready for the day, I texted Liam, who had generously been training me in hand-to-hand combat over the past five months. I had no magic to develop, but that wouldn’t stop me from learning to protect myself however I could. Chances were slim that Liam would be up after last night’s party, but I tried anyway. Five minutes passed without a response, so I put on a jacket and decided to grab some coffee. Caffeine was the last thing I needed for my nerves, but the comfort of sipping the warm, fragrant nectar sounded too good to pass up. As always, the common areas of the Huntsman building were near silent before noon. The men of the Wild Hunt led a mostly nocturnal lifestyle. Between running a nightclub and hunting Fae fugitives, their days didn’t truly begin until nightfall. I walked around the corner to a local coffee shop and got a caramel Frappuccino, then headed back home. Hopefully, by the time I got back to the apartment, Liam would text back, and I could occupy myself with training. Stressing out wasn’t going to help Becca. Subjecting myself to needless suffering was pointless. I was contemplating backup plans should Liam still be asleep when the elevator doors opened and brought me face-to-face with Casek. The gears in my head clanged together and ground to a halt at the sight of him. I hadn’t had a chance to even stress over a night-after interaction and plan for how I’d handle seeing him again. “Oh, hey there,” I managed to stammer. He looked incredible. Even more alluring than he had before, but maybe that was because I now knew what lurked beneath the façade. Casek joined me in the lobby. His impassive eyes were the shadowed green of a pine forest, silent and secretive. “Ashley.” He dipped his chin, keeping several feet of space between us. “You’re up early.”