CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
~ Osirdan ~
Motel 6, Fort Scott, Kansas
United States of America
“YOU’RE MAKING A mess again,” I growled softly.
“How do you know?” Chester tossed a piece of popcorn up into the air and opened his mouth wide, catching it.Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.He grumbled with food in his mouth, “You won’t even look at me.”
I didn’t need to. After a few days with theloudeater, I could practically feel him in my skin. It was dreadful—and exhilarating at the same time. An entirely unique experience, the reason why I was keeping him around.
I waved a finger toward the nightstand, griping, “You need to clean up your shit.”
Chester huffed as he got to his feet. The chains still around his wrists rattled, spelling him to this room, but I had been kind enough to release him from the bed. His bitching and complaining was far too annoying the first day. Now, he was only mildly irritating, a decent hostage to keep me company.
He piled up his many empty bags of popcorn and tossed them in the small trash can. “I think I’m about out. Only six bags left.”
“Wouldn’t you like something else to eat?” I flicked the quickest of glances at him and hurriedly looked away. “That cannot be healthy for you.”
“If you want to take me out to dinner, I’ll go anytime you let me leave this room.” The damned druid sent a saucy wink in my direction. “I’ll even let you feed me if that’s your kink.”
My sigh was long and suffering. “Will you quit flirting with me?”
“Why? You like it.”
I lifted my eyes skyward, praying for patience. “I have told you. I am not attracted to men.”
“Is that why you blush every time I catch you staring at my ass?” he teased.
I stared. “You are an odd man.”
My attention returned to one of the many scrying screens now floating in the air. There was so much to watch I’d needed more than the one I started with. Curious about the druid’s thoughts, if they were in line with mine, I asked, “What do you think Queen Gwynnore really thinks of the Breaker? Friend or foe?”
Chester leaned back against the small desk in the room, watching screens as well. “I’ve met the queen. She’s a smart woman, good for the vampire crown.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I think as soon as the Breaker saves the day, the queen won’t give a shit about her. They’re too different—and too much alike in all the wrong ways. That’s not friendship material. That’s a deadly storm waiting to happen down the road.”
“Hmm. So you believe they should be separated?” I scratched at my chin.
“Worlds away. It’s good that Kimber is from S’Kir.” Chester kicked his right foot into the air, pointing it at the second bed. “Are you done entertaining yourself yet? How long do you plan to keep them here with us? They snore louder than you.”
“You have absolutely no room to talk.” I turned my head to the side, evaluating the two druids spelled asleep on my bed. “I suppose I’ve seen what Kimber’s made of now. I should probably return them.”
Chester grabbed a new bag of popcorn and headed straight to the microwave. “Wait until I get this popped. I want a front-row seat to this drama.”
I chortled at this bloodthirsty man who looked so damned innocent…and I absolutely did not stare at his toned, round butt while he cooked his buttery food.
Once he was settled back on his bed, I stood from the chair that now had my ass shape permanently imprinted into the cushions. I waved my right hand in the air and opened a portal to the vampire stronghold. I first lifted the smartass from the bed and tossed him through, and then the serious one.
My hostage leaned forward on his bed, muttering, “How did they get naked?”
“The portal. Without touching me, it messes with them.” I waved a hand and retook my seat. When I was comfortable, I flicked a finger, ending the sleeping spell on the two druids and releasing the spell that bound thecrunch, crunch, cruncheater. “Let the show resume.”
I stretched my legs out far in front of me and wondered if the druid would leave now…
