I emptied my expression, trying to make it look abrupt. I nuzzled Grim’s neck, sliding my hand into his open shirt. Even as I licked up his delicious column of throat, I maintained an empty, doll-like expression. Grim stilled underneath me.
I caught the surprise flicker in Apep’s eyes. He still wasn’t convinced. It had to look like Grim took hold of my will. I turned around and grabbed Grim’s hand. I sucked his long index finger into my mouth, pulling it out slowly, then I repeated the motion to his middle digit. I kept my dead stare on Apep as I did so. Then I guided Grim’s hand into my top until his wet fingers traced over my nipple.
Feeling warred inside me. Though Grim’s rough, strong hands on my breast sent desire flooding downward, the horror sitting on the throne of bones chilled my blood.
Come on, Grim. Work with me here.
Grim finally massaged and gripped me before burying his nose in my hair, inhaling deeply. “Yes, well, there is only so long one can be all work and no play. But I confess, I’m surprised you’re okay with Bast’s new reign.”
“Bast doesn’t care to reign.” Apep’s eyes remained glued to my breast, as if hoping Grim would push down the cup and reveal more. All the while that poor vampire had to choke down his repulsive dick.
Grim choked out a laugh. “You’re kidding yourself if you don’t believe Bast has plans. Why else would she unleash her sister on the world?”
“All the better, more playthings for us,” Apep said, watching me too carefully. “And I’m still surprised to find out you play at all. In fact, I heard dear Bast sent you back to the cradle.”
Shit. He knew more than we thought. I needed to keep him entertained, and my eyes empty, or we’d blow this operation.
Ew.I fought a grimace. I did not mean to make that pun.
“Oh, I can play,” Grim said, his hand coming to grip my ass. “After an eternity of work, I’m sent back to the cradle to miss all the fun? That’s exactly why I had to come back.”
“You’ve always been against sekhors roaming this earth, Grim. Don’t fuck with me,” the god said, pushing the sekhor away from his lap, now vested in the conversation. My insides relaxed slightly with relief on that poor woman’s behalf, though he eyed me with renewed suspicion.
Crap. I removed Grim’s fingers from my top and turned around to face him. Out of view, I shot Grim a look that told him he’d better make this worth it. I slid down his body, my fingers and lips trailing down his exposed skin. I sank to my knees and unclasped his belt, pulling out the prize.
I knew what this god got off on. And I’d make it appear Grim liked to play, too. I wrapped my lips around Grim and sucked and licked in earnest. Though I knew Grim well enough to know this was completely out of his comfort zone, he began to harden in my mouth. His hand went to my hair, but I could tell it was to steady himself.
Grim said, “Apep, you have missed so much in your hole down here. Did you not hear that Osiris made special compensation for my toy here? I’ve found these creatures…enjoyable.” He paused as I did that thing with my tongue that he liked. I could feel the heat of his glare on the top of my head for a moment before he continued. “And I’ve come to see the truth: if all the humans become sekhors, there will be no souls left to reap. I won’t be a slave to humanity anymore. You think I want to work every day as Osiris’s lapdog?” He gripped my hair with sudden force, to help make his point, forcing me to choke on his fully hard length for a few seconds. I rolled my eyes, but knew Apep probably got the message better.
I picked up the speed of my motions, feeling Apep’s intent gaze prickle along my back. Grim kept talking. “But I need Bast out, so I can help lead us into the new dawn. I’m the only one who can handle Osiris if he comes back, and I can protect you. Protect this new world. Bast is as unpredictable as a cat who pushes a glass off a counter, just for the hell of it.”
A strange gasp sound came out of Apep and it took me a minute to recognize it as a laugh. I continued to work on Grim’s straining length, though I did not care for this setup at all. Granted, I was usually more than enthusiastic about deep-throating Grim’s incredible, mortal-defying size. But I was not a fan of the audience or the location. I deserved an Oscar for this stupid performance. Or what was the Oscar equivalent for a porn star? A Blowie? Did I just make that up?
“Tell me,” Grim urged, finally pushing me away. He tucked himself in his pants but didn’t zip back up. He took a few steps toward where Apep still sat. “Tell me what Bast’s secretum mortis is. Don’t deny you know what it is. Share with me, and you won’t have to stay in the shadows unless you want to. Hell, you can have her domain, her hotel, for all I care. Cover it in darkness, fill it with sekhors to do your bidding.”
To make him look good, I crawled over next to Grim on all fours, sticking my butt up in the way Apep had his sekhors. Keeping my eyes blank was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I watched him out of my periphery.
Wait. Just a little longer. We’ve almost got it.
Apep leaned in, pressing his elbow into the arm of his bone throne. Hunger sparked in his eye. He wanted everything Grim offered. “Venom.”
“Whose venom?” Grim demanded.
“Mine,” he hissed.
“Now?” I asked.
“Now,” Grim agreed.
I sprung at the god, pulling the knife from my coat.
21
Grim
When I confirmed the time had come, I’d been of the mind that Vivien would take the cue to stop her far too convincing subservient act. I hadn’t counted on her launching herself directly at Apep. A blade gleamed in her hand.
Before Apep knew what was happening, Vivien slashed the knife across his face. Blood sprayed the floor next to his throne.
