Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
When we reach the bottom, I immediately note the first difference. Gone are the iron bars on each cell, and in their stead are wooden doors.
Will drags me to his cell. “Real doors for privacy, and they have locks on the inside.”
“Wow,” I exclaim, because that’s pretty big.
“And look inside,” he says.
I peek in and in addition to the bed, toilet, and sink is a chair, dresser, and a small book stand with a lamp, and most importantly, a thick rug on the floor.
Small things, but big comfort.
“Who did this?” I ask.
Will shrugs. “No clue. I came back yesterday and it was like this.”
Curious, I move to the cell that was mine, and I find the same things installed. I wonder if I’m going to be coming back here to live.
“This is all great, Will. But I need to get back. I’m not supposed to be down here.”
“Oh,” Will says, eyes widening with worry. “I didn’t know.”
“No, it’s okay. Maybe we can chat outside the kitchens tomorrow when you’re done working. It’s in an area of the castle I’ve got permission to be in.”
“Yeah, that would be great,” he says enthusiastically. “I’ll walk you back.”
Will and I turn for the staircase, but I’m brought up short by a large figure standing in the shadows at the bottom. He steps into the light—a huge, hulking Dark Fae who looks mostly human except for his extreme beauty, which I’ve found to be common, and yellow glowing eyes focused solely on me. He prowls toward us, and the more I stare at his eyes, the more I feel a pull toward him.
When he gets closer, the very weird sensation of desire wells up inside me, and I gasp in confusion. “What is that?” I whisper to Will.
“An incubus,” he replies, and my head turns his way because the fear in his tone scares the crap out of me. “He’s focused on you, Nyssa.”
“What do I do?” My voice trembles and my legs feel weak. Amell told me last night he’d not seen me exhibit fear except when Jago grabbed hold of me, but if he could see me now, he’d know I’m terrified.
I don’t understand how a creature can make me feel lust when I’m repulsed at the same time.
I back up, giving a quick glance behind to see where I can run. There are intersecting corridors fifty feet away.
Will steps aside and presses against the exterior wall of his cell. The incubus doesn’t pay him any attention, still prowling toward me with a laser-like intensity.
“I heard there was a tasty snack in the castle, and I’m guessing it must be you,” he purrs, and damn… his voice sounds like sex and honey. My instinct is to walk to him.
I force myself to keep moving backward. When the fae passes Will, he tears down the hallway and up the spiral staircase. I can’t say I blame him. He’d be no match for a fae.
In an effort to slow the thing down, I attempt conversation. “So, you’re an incubus, huh? What exactly does that mean?”
“It means I eat tasty little snacks like you,” he rumbles.
Oh shit. I do not want to get eaten.
“Um… why do I feel funny?” I ask as I glance behind me. Almost at the intersection.
“We’re sex fae,” he says with a dark laugh. “We fuck and suck you dry. Your soul will be mine when I’m done, and I won’t hunger anymore.”
Shit.
I’m in so much trouble.
Two more steps back and I’m in the middle of the intersection. I don’t waste a second and bolt left, tearing down the slick corridor, grateful for the treads on my new shoes.
I look over my shoulder and see the incubus is in hot pursuit. I try to kick it into high gear, but I’m jerked off my feet when his hand wraps in my hair. I slam down onto my back which knocks the air from my lungs and the incubus straddles me.
His hand comes to my face where he grips it hard, and the minute his skin touches mine, my body arcs up as a bolt of searing lust pulses through me.
“Please,” I whisper as tears leak from my eyes. Not to let me go, but to touch me.
“I’ll give it to you, little snack,” the fae growls and then bends to kiss me.
I close my eyes and try to jerk my head to the side, even though my body tells me to capitulate. I feel his breath on me, and I know I’m about to die… for a second time.
And then… he’s gone.
I lift my head to find the incubus lying twenty feet away, and booted feet stride by me.
Black wings trail behind, and I scramble up as Amell walks toward the incubus.
The fae rolls to his knees and cowers, exclaiming, “I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”