Sin doesn’t take it. He arches a brow, his voice flat. “I don’t need that to get into your realm.”
Ragna doesn’t lower her hand, giving us both a warning look. “Donottamper with my wards, either of you.”
There’s enough venom in her tone that I take the ring. It feels cold and ancient until I close my hand around it. Something that feels like recognition sparks, sending heat shooting up my arm.
I almost drop it.
Oops.
My eyes dart back to Ragna’s, hoping she didn’t just see that.
She sighs, muttering something before turning away.
She definitely didn’t see. (She did.)
“Ready?” Sin asks, gently squeezing my other hand.
The ring pulses, almost like it has a heartbeat. My stomach twists, evidently not on board with my newfound collection of possibly sentient jewelry.
Tearing my eyes from the ring, I nod, even though the truth rattles inside my chest.
I was never ready for this.
Chapter 44
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule forty-four:Book smarts absolutely translate to street smarts, especially if you read smut.
Idon’t think you can travel to a place called the Beast Realm without having at least a few expectations. My mind immediately conjured up images of dense forests, dens carved into caves, and nests the size of minivans hanging from cliffs.
What I didn’t expect were neon leotards and leg warmers.
Sin leads us down a crowded sidewalk, his hand on the small of my back, as his eyes scan the crowd. I’m pretty sure he’s searching for danger.
Personally, I’m trying to figure out if Ragna’s ring is actually a time machine.
Except we’re definitely in the Beast Realm. While many of the faces we pass look human, others have distinctly animalistic features. Some have glowing, slitted eyes, others are covered in feathers, and then there are the ones walking (or flying) around as massive animals.
The diversity is staggering, and I quickly lose track of how many kinds of shifters exist. But they all have one thing in common: every last one of them is dressed like they’ve just climbed out of the 90s. There are bright jackets, Walkmans, and I even spot some kids playing with a ragged-looking Furby.
Should I save them? Those things are definitely possessed.
I stole some of Arianna’s fighting leathers before we apparated here. I cantotallyprobably take on a Furby.
A horn blares, snapping me out of my demonic toy crisis. Instead of a forest, we’ve apparated into a bustling city. Skyscrapers tower above us, and the smells of coffee and tacos make my mouth water as we pass by restaurants and storefronts.
“This is…” I finally start, not sure how to explain how confused I am.
“Familiar?” Sin offers at my hesitation.
“Yes,” I agree emphatically.
A moped races toward us, and Sin yanks me out of the way just in time to avoid becoming roadkill. I land against his chest, and his muscles tense against my hands. My body heats at the closeness, and my mouth goes dry.
Lifting my gaze to meet his, I’m struck by his rugged, deadly beauty. Everything about this man screams ‘danger: lethal warlord,’ and yet he’s looking at me with such tenderness, it leaves me completely enthralled.
My hands curl into a leather strap against his chest, trying to get even closer – until I remember we’re supposed to be on a mission.
