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Everything came bubbling up. There was no stopping it. Ugly, broken sobs that made my face a mess and my head ache.
Cream Puff, on the other hand, was having the time of her life. She raced across what I could see of the carpet, stopping and spinning like there was an enemy. She tried to take flight a couple times too, but didn’t quite make it. Her wings weren’t strong enough yet.
Her little spark of joy was enough to get me to move and explore this place.
It was beautiful.
Just like the lobby, the apartment was luxurious. Decorated in shades of blues and golds, the carpets were plush and soft, the furnishings elegant. A living room, kitchen, dining room, and a bedroom that was the size of my and Maggie’s entire apartment.
Even I had to admit the bed was incredible, and the walk-in closet was the stuff of dreams.
I wasn’t ready to exchange my life and freedom for a nice place to live, but if I were forced to live somewhere, this wasn’t bad.
There were some clothes in the closet, and since Silver said they’d get my things, I meant to hold him to it. The giant, free-standing tub in the bathroom called my name. If there wasn’t anything appropriate to wear when I got out… whose fault was that?
“Puff,” I called. “Where are you?”
The apartment was big, and she was tiny. She was going to get lost so fast. I needed to get things for her. Food and a litter box. A bed. Though I had a feeling she was only going to sleep with me.
I spied her zooming into the closet, so I scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom, setting her on the counter. “You want something to drink?”
She went to the faucet immediately after I turned it on, lapping it up rapidly. Going too far, she sputtered and backed away, shaking her wings to get the water off them, and gave the faucet a dirty look that was so human I laughed.
“I’m so glad I found you.”
The tub filled with water fast. I stripped off my clothes and sank down into delicious heat. The tub at my apartment with Maggie wasn’t nearly deep enough for this. I dipped my head back and soaked my hair, watching Puff play with herself in the giant bathroom mirror.
Unfortunately, the bath didn’t wash away my worries, anger, and resentment the way it washed away the iron glitter on my skin. I needed to call Maggie and tell her I was okay. But in the flurry of getting out of the club, I hadn’t grabbed my phone from behind the bar.
I leaned my head back on the edge of the tub and sighed. Being claimed by the fae…
Fae and humans were forbidden from mating because of everything a hybrid could do or be. It didn’t stop everyone, and more often than not, there wasn’t even a pregnancy. But a claimed hybrid was a dead one.
Most fae courts would rather execute a hybrid than risk one being taken and struck, then being liable for the damage a struck hybrid could cause.
Silver wouldn’t kill me. None of the others, either. But what the hell would I do now? Just because I was under their protection didn’t mean shit. I was still a hybrid, and now peopleknew. I couldn’t go anywhere the Legion could find me. Which, given that they didn’t care about the treaty, could be anywhere.
Thatwas what I was pissed about. And what I meant about being jailed. I wasn’t a prisoner, but I couldn’t leave. Everything I had was stolen out from under me, and none of it was my fault.
I stayed in the tub until it went cold, and then I filled it again. Out in the apartment, I heard the door open. It was them, because no one else could enter, but I was definitely getting a fucking lock.
“Skyla?”
“I’m in here.”
Silver strode into the doorway and stopped, staring at me. His eyes went molten with lust and hunger. Grave stood right behind him, an identical look on his face. “You’re naked.”
I snorted. “Well spotted.” Neither of them said anything. “This isn’t anything you haven’t seen before.” It was rare for me to get completely naked on stage, but it had happened a couple of times over the last few years. All five of them had seen everything. But the looks on their faces made it feel like it was brand new.
“It’s different.” His voice was rough.
I looked between the two of them. “Did you need something?”
“We need to talk.”
“So talk.”
Delta poked his head around the door frame. “I think the bathroom is a bit small for six.”
