Crisis averted.
I’d rather the monster smell my fear than arousal.
At least he had no sense of desire anymore. Served him right.
It was that stupid conversation we had at the table, I told myself. Speaking to him like a person had messed with my head. Twisted something. There was no way—no godsdamned way—I found him attractive.
Even if he was my mate.
“Do you have something to tell me, Kitten?”
His red eyes locked onto mine—dangerous, glowing, and more compelling than ever.
“Isn’t this your domain?” I countered. “You tell me.”
His gaze swept over the floor, lips twitching. “Hand me those.”
I blinked. “What?” I tilted my head, all innocence.
His tail snapped against the stone, then stilled like a warning shot. “Don’t.”
“I wasn’t planning anything,” I said coolly, even though we both knew better. It wasn’t like I was planning to hand over Shadow’s notes.
He stepped forward with a predator’s calm. The cell door swung open on its own. I retreated one step, flexing my fingers. Yeah…I was itching for a fight.
Even if he couldn’t feel the pain, I sure as hell could enjoy inflicting it.
His eyes narrowed at the scattered messages. “It’s a male,” he murmured, lifting one. “A lover, then. Think he can free you?”
“Not a male,” I corrected with a flat tone. “And not a lover.”
He stilled.
His frown deepened—not the angry kind, the…pouty kind? No, that couldn’t be right. But something flickered in his expression, gone as soon as it surfaced.
“Very well.” He turned away, voice lower. “Probably best for his sake.”
I tilted my head. “Why?”
He didn’t hesitate. “He’d have to put up with you.”
And there it was. My spine straightened. Game on.
As he bent to pick up a note, his heavy horns jutted forward—and I saw opportunity.
I lunged, grabbing the curve of them, planting my feet, and heaved.
For a second, I thought it wouldn’t work. But then—
Thud.
He hit the wall and dropped—yes, dropped—right on his ass.
A rare silence followed. He didn’t look at me as he stood, rising slowly, keeping his gaze angled toward the floor. His expression was hidden. But his scent—that thick, burnt marshmallow warmth—flooded the cell.
And damn me, I inhaled it.
Twice.
