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He was almost sexy.
That grossed me out because he was totally like my brother, and while I had handled this new world a little better than the queen, sometimes I longed for the old one. The one where Casey sang sad songs and didn’t lay weirdly sexy claims to my best friend.
“He couldn’t rape me if he tried,” Liv snarled.
“I wouldn’t,” Casey agreed. “I’ll never try. Seduction is another thing altogether, and you should think about that, Liv. Something’s changing inside you. I can’t put my finger on it, but you’re starting to feel again. You’re starting to want things you haven’t wanted for a long time. You didn’t like the apple this morning. It disturbed you that you didn’t like it because you’re supposed to be beyond simple pleasures. Myrddin turned you into his automaton, but my gorgeous, funny, wickedly sexy woman is waking up, and I’m going to be right here to meet her every need.”
I turned to Liv. “What did you do to him? Is that collar not working? That is not Casey. Casey is a weirdo who writes songs about feelings and gets scared of dead bodies.”
“He’s not,” Liv said, pointing a finger my way. “He’s matured since you left, and honestly, you never really saw him for who… Damn it. I am not doing this. I meant what I said. I’m not helping…”
“So you won’t help save your master’s son?” Casey’s brow rose. “Should we tell Myrddin that blocking me from sharing the same room with you was far more important than his only blooded child? Where is your logic, Liv?”
“Fuck you.” She turned and practically ran up the stairs.
“Who are you?” I was still in shock.
“I’m Liv’s husband by all vampire laws, and I will not let her down again,” Casey announced. “And I’ve given you the perfect way to get in good. You get to listen to her complain about me.” He sobered. “There’s something wrong with her. I can’t tell if it’s a spell or simple conditioning. She doesn’t remember things correctly. I think Myrddin’s used her body on a couple of occasions, and she can’t remember what happened. Her view of reality is warped. She genuinely believes the things she’s done are justified.”
It was hard for me to comprehend what she’d been through, what she’d allowed in her attempt to get away from the pain.
But I knew there were things the mind could do to justify the need to not feel pain. “You really think she might be starting to feel like herself again?”
“I know she is, and she’s going to fight it with everything she has,” Casey replied. “I meant what I said, Kelsey. I will not allow you to come between the two of us. Don’t try. I’ve got the time we have here to make it work. Now I have to go and drink some nasty microwaved blood and start some research on that thing down there.”
I kind of thought we should talk some more, but Tix was suddenly standing on the big porch above us, frowning down. Evan and Lee flanked him, with Eddie rushing out to join.
“What has happened?” Tix asked. “Why is there a drixalranous corpse on our beautiful lawn? Was that gunfire I heard? I was conducting a very informative tour, and I had to break it off to find my lord and lady playing with predators.”
“I wasn’t playing, Tix. I was about to get my throat torn out,” Gray informed him. “We need this big guy’s body saved. Someone’s going to get to do an autopsy.”
Eddie was a bit out of breath as he joined Evan. “If we must investigate, then I will find a good place for you to do your work, Mistress.”
Tix turned his way. “Oh, you will find a place? You have barely the knowledge of this palace to find the kitchens.”
I shook my head and started up the stairs.
“And Rain was disturbed by the gunfire,” Tix complained. “It was loud, and he was trying to sleep.”
“Who is…” I realized who he was talking about. “I’m not naming my baby Rain.”
“Of course not. His name is Rainier. I’m using the playful, diminutive version,” Tix agreed.
I huffed and stalked off.
My first day in Hell was not going as planned.
* * * *
Liv
I was feeling better after I ditched Casey and managed to find my way to the room they were keeping Dean Emrys in. I was surprised no one stopped me, but then I realized the mansion I found myself in had eyes. Actual eyes. They were embedded in the walls in places, camouflaged by elaborate wallpaper.
I thought about poking the fuckers out, but they would probably like that and still be able to report on my movements through the house.
I chose to pretend I had some small freedom.
Dean was pale as a ghost on the narrow bed they’d laid him on. He looked like he could be as much of a corpse as that cat that nearly killed Kelsey. I couldn’t imagine what was happening inside his head.
