“Yeah, but it could be. I bet you video well. Let’s do one together and see what kind of reach we get. I need to grow our user base. Come on, Nico. What do you say?”
He sighs heavily. “All right. If you think it’ll help Aquarius, you know I’ll do it.”
“I do,” I say, hopping. “Why don’t you ask me about Thorn?”
His dark brows draw down. “I’m not one to talk about Thorn Beathach.”
“Too bad, because we’re getting a lot of play anytime I talk about him. So let’s have a little discussion, you and me—I promise it’ll be painless.”
Nico looks like I’m asking him to give up a testicle, but I know he’ll do it. And yeah, this’ll piss Thorn off even more. Who cares? Wouldn’t it be just terrible if he’s in a horrid mood when he goes on his date with the Rendale sisters tonight?
TWENTY-SEVEN
Thorn
I sit in my car outside the Rendale gates, waiting for the guard to open them. Of course it’s a show of dominance by Sylveria because they should’ve already been open and waiting for me, but I don’t really give a shit. I reach for my phone to quickly text.
ME: I’m displeased about your earlier emote video with Nico.
ALANA: Making you happy isn’t one of my goals in life.
ME: It will be.
ALANA: Ha. Enjoy your date. Try the salmon.
Amusement tickles my lip. She’s jealous but too stubborn to ask me about tonight’s get-together.
ME: Every time you post about me increases your punishments.
ALANA: Bite me.
ME: I fully plan to. Also, fair warning. I’ll give you this once with Nico because you didn’t know better. If you involve any other person in a video about me without my express permission, I’ll cut out their tongue and staple the bloody mess to your front door—before inflicting your original punishment for posting about me at all.
She doesn’t answer for several heartbeats.
ALANA: You’re evil.
ME: Now you’re getting it.
Truth be told, I want to give her permission to use Nico for her videos. The guy looked like he was swallowing golf balls out of a mountain-high pile of manure the entire time. I doubt anybody hates being videoed for social media more than I do, but Nico comes close. He actually owes me one for this. I’m surprised when my phone vibrates and I look down.
ALANA: I hope you get herpes tonight.
I laugh out loud and then pause as the sound reverberates around my vehicle. When was the last time I actually did that? I swallow the honey taste in my mouth and text with one hand, watching the guard staring at me.
ME: Since you’re the only person I’m fucking, if I get herpes, I’ll make your life hell.
ALANA: You already are.
ME: Yeah. Multiple orgasms must feel terrible. Stop goading me.
It’s as if she wants me angry when I attend this dinner. I pause. She does. My heart, if I still have one, swells.
ME: You’re fucking adorable when jealous.
ALANA: You are going to die a very slow and painful death, and you’re going to cry like a baby the entire time.
ME: I’m with you on the probable slow and painful part, but I don’t cry.
It’s time I took her home. Her impromptu meeting at Nico’s with her little band of do-gooders is concerning. They’re up to something.
ALANA: I’ll never meet you. In fact, I’m looking elsewhere for a future mate. You’re out of the running, buddy.
I growl. Deep in my chest.
ME: You’re racking up punishments faster than a demon collects debts.
ALANA: You’re the damn demon keeping score.
ME: Yes, I am. And baby, the house always wins. Prepare yourself.
The gate rolls open and I shove the phone into my pocket, wishing I could banter with Alana all night instead of attending this dinner. But I need to know if Sylveria created the cursed virus that’s slowly killing me. My jaw aches and my gums are chilly. If my teeth fall out, I’m killing somebody.
I drive down the long and twisty driveway that leads to the looming mansion at the pinnacle of a rolling hill. Roses are everywhere, even though it’s the end of the season. Rain falls onto them. They’re all white, slightly swaying in the breeze.
Statues of different goddesses are strategically placed throughout the grounds. Even though it’s overcast, parts of them sparkle. I have no doubt actual diamonds are inlaid in the materials.
Not one citrine is visible. Interesting.