“Care to reenact the first time we met, darling?” he purrs. “I’m all for it.”
“Fuck off,” I sneer.
He barks a laugh and runs a hand through his disheveled hair.
Hesitantly I add, “I know you must have…needsafter staying so long in prison. I’m not inhumane. But wait until we figure out a way to shield ourselves from each other before you go looking for ways to satiate those needs.”
Without saying anything, Jax winks and prowls away.
Over his shoulder, he says casually, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “Don’t worry,General. There’s only one woman I desire in my sheets helping me satisfy those needs. And she’s currently preoccupied. I’ll be back by dawn.”
Noire and Kazh remain silent. But they don’t have to say it. I can read all they’re thinking from their faces.
If I were to murder my Sentineal myself, would that be against the law?
Both Jax’s and Lorca’s laughs echo at the back of my mind.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JAX
How long have I spent locked in that cell under the Ezkai Castle?
Can’t be more than a month. Maybe two?
Happy folk don’t bother counting time, Mother used to say.
Not sure I’m disoriented in time because I’m happy.
I think it has more to do with being underground, and not being able to lay my eyes on the sun.
The noise of Kozem’s streets envelops me like a warm, familiar blanket as I simply stand beside a run-down pub with my eyes closed, the last rays of sunshine kissing my face.
It’s sort of…comforting.
A familiar voice disturbs my rare moment of peace. “Ey, Hound!”
Frowning, I blink, and against my deepest wishes, open my eyes to find Kugi leaving the pub.
A wide grin grows on my face at the sight of the familiar fae with the eyepatch. “Good to see you, old man.”
“Bah! Who are you calling old man?” Kugi waves me off as he approaches. My smile only widens. “Where have you been, huh? I haven’t seen you around the block for quite some time now.”
“I’ve been around,” I say and wink. “Super secret business can’t tell you about.”
Kugi levels a serious gaze at me. It’s not as intimidating as he imagines it is, considering he only has one eye. “I’ve heard rumors. Nothing good, kid.”
My stomach churns.
I swallow but manage to keep the nonchalant smile on my face. “You know what they say. The only thing worse than being talked about is being forgotten.”
Kugi snorts. “They say you meddle with Caligos. Is that right?”
It’s a tricky question, isn’t it?
I shrug and pout. “Here and there. Nothing serious. You know me, old friend. Commitment is not my strong suit.”
Kugi grunts. “Ain’t that the truth.” He pats my shoulder with his hard hand. “Well, don’t forget your friends, eh? Come visit us sometime for a drink at Dae’s, will ya?”
