Katy sighed. “Doesn’t even matter the species, all men are the same.”
Ten minutes later, Katy felt much better, and they rejoined the group. Callon and two other males had returned. Both of the newcomers were handsome, and odd, in different ways.
“Katy,”—Callon smiled--“it’s good to see you looking well.”
“You do look good,” Lola agreed. “Better than you did when you got here.”
“Are we ready to go?” Gage interrupted the moment that made her feel awkward. His hand wrapped around hers as he waited for an answer. There seemed to be a tenseness that hadn’t been there before they’d stepped away.
“I’m not getting on a boat with these two until they prove they’re not in league with the Kingdom of Chaos.” Zeena pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin in challenge.
Nico’s silver eyes widened, and the swirling within increased. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Wolfgang and Tallula asking me when they’d be getting their promised females from the Kingdom of Venom,” Zeena answered.
Nico looked as if he’d been punched in the gut. “When did you see them?”
“Just a few days ago.” Zeena placed her hands on her hips. “I was in the Las Vegas branch of the Chaos Kingdom, and they bumped into me in one of the casinos. Imagine my shock when they asked to speak with me alone, andthatis what they said. So? Are you a part of their sick schemes?”
Nico’s eyes hardened as he clenched his jaw. “I don’t answer to you. You are the queen of nothing, and I won’t stand here and be treated like I’m guilty of something so sickening.”
“She is not the queen,” a masculine voice spoke up, “but IamKing, and your friend. For the sake of this mission, just answer her.”
Katy’s eyes widened, and all heads turned. She saw a man and woman standing behind them, and she had no idea when they’d arrived. “Is everyone else seeing the beautiful couple that are wearing snake crowns on their heads?”
“We do,” Lola said. “You’re not going crazy.”
“Talbot.” Nico’s voice changed drastically as he addressed the man. “Rose, royalty looks good on you.”
Apparently, this was the new king of the Kingdom of Venom. The demure female on Talbot’s arm blushed and dropped her eyes. Her pink lips turned up in a small smile. “Thank you, Nico. It’s good to see you.”
“Not too good,” Talbot said, gently.
“Good grief,” Katy muttered. “It’s like a damn disease.”
Gage squeezed her hand. “Behave.”
“That’s not a word in my extensive vocabulary.”
“Will you allow me to put everyone’s worries at ease?” Talbot asked Nico.
The shaman didn’t look pleased but finally nodded. “You might as well read Raphael as well. They won’t trust him either because he’s my friend.”
The pair walked over to where Talbot and Rose stood. Talbot looked at Zeena. “Will this be enough proof?”
Zeena gave a curt nod. “I am glad it’s you who is taking his place, Talbot.” Katy could see genuine care in Zeena’s eyes. “You’ve always had a kind soul.”
Talbot inclined his head to her and then placed his hand on Nico’s bare wrist. He held the gaze of the shaman, and after a good thirty seconds, Talbot released Nico.
“He has no ill intentions,” Talbot said.
Katy raised an eyebrow. “How can you know that?”
“Visata has gifted me with the ability to see into the mind of a person when I touch them,” the new Venom King explained. “I cannot read their mind, but I can feel their emotions and, if they’re strong enough, even their intentions.”
“Mmkay, just to be clear”—Katy pointed at him—“your dermis will never touch my dermis.”
Lola scrunched up her nose. “When you put it like that, it sounds so dirty.”
