Nineteen
Flames danced over my head from the hoop swing as the beautiful girl, whose features split down the middle like she was two people sewn seamlessly into one, did her party tricks with fire. A few feet away from her, hanging above in a hammock, was a naked human woman moaning loudly, her head flung back as she rode one man while a fae man entered her from behind. Her cries were so full of erotic bliss, my body heated with raw need, forcing my teeth to crunch together.
Music and the hum of talking, gambling, and fighting filled the tight passage. Nearly naked bodies pushed past me, their calls to enter their establishments directed to anyone who walked by. It was deep into the night, and Carnal Row was at the peak of its business—when indulgence was disguised by drink, and the misery of the day was buried in the depravities and sin of the night.
Not one person gave the bleeding man over Warwick’s shoulder notice, though Warwick couldn’t walk through without countless heads turning his way. Lust choked the air, widening the legs of those hungry to taste him. So many lifeless, empty eyes ignited when he passed, their bodies jolting with hunger. His aura was so virile, he brought the dead back to life.
Like you do.I shook my head, shoving the thought away as we pushed through the crowd, heading to the iniquitous dwelling on the corner, which at one point had begun to feel like a second home to me, with people Ihadconsidered friends.
Almost all the others I could have brushed away, but Rosie’s betrayal hurt too deeply, no matter if I had a right to be or not. What did I expect? From either of them? This was the Savage Lands. I also knew better when it came to the notorious legend, who had multiple womenbrought to him in prison. And Rosie was doing her job. I doubted anyone in the world would turn Warwick down, but knowing she was with him... logic wasn’t there.
In one strategic move, Warwick made sure he ended anything with me and also took away my one friend here.
“War-wick...” His name sang from the windows of Kitty’s brothel, women and men calling out to him. Only a few were left trying to wrangle in their last customer at this late hour. I heard loud grunts and moaning from open windows and down the side alleyways.
“Bring me something tasty?” Peering up, I saw the snake-shifter sitting in the window, the one he had been with before.
“If you like them bleeding and half dead.” Warwick started up the steps.
“I do, but I wasn’t talking about him.” She flicked her tongue out at him suggestively, and I hated that I knew where it had been. “I’m especially hungry tonight... want me to join you? She can watch. We can pick up from last night?”
Anger surged up my spine, my cheek twitching, a low growl emanating from my throat. Her word confirming my fears, eliminating any tiny doubt I clung to.
“Not tonight,” Warwick replied, grabbing my arm and yanking me into the brothel, firing more fury through my muscles.
Not tonight? As in, maybe tomorrow?
Fuck her andfuckhim.
“Let go.” Ripping my arm away from him, I stumbled inside, straight into the Madam herself.
Her head was high, her hair in a long bob style. She wore skintight leather pants, a backless, almost sheer, red silky tank, and stiletto boots. Her arms were folded, her expression hard.
“No.” Her jaw tightened.
“Kitty . . .” Warwick started.
“No.” She lifted a perfectly manicured finger, pointing back at the door. “Return the way you came with that... thing.” Her nose wrinkled, taking in the man over his shoulder.
“Kit—”
“Warwick, you are dancing on my last nerve. It is one thing to harbor you and evenher.” She eyed me. “But I’m not a halfway house or an infirmary. I have two soldiers upstairs. I will be jailed if they find you, and you will be quartered and hung on sight.”
“Don’t worry, Killian doesn’t want my head on a plate right now.” A cheeky smile curled up the side of his mouth.
“I didn’t say the soldiers were fae.” She curved a perfect eyebrow up. “And you think that makes this better?” She motioned to the limp man. I could see he was barely breathing. Time was running out. “He’s certainly a criminal, and you both still have bounties on your head from HDF and who knows where else.”
“Kitty—”
“I know you, Warwick, don’t give me that tone. Do not make me a promise you have no intention of keeping.” She held up her hand, gesturing toward the door as a wheeze came from the man. “Now get him out of here.”
“Please.” I grabbed her hands, her thin figure jolting at my touch, and I quickly let go. “This man is the only hope I have of finding where his gang is hiding. They took something important of mine. Something that could be vital.”To me and to this country.“I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t exceptionally important.”
Her dark brown eyes watched mine, no emotion flickering through them, like she was seeking out the truth in my claim. After a few moments, she exhaled, her glittery lids shutting briefly. “In the back bedroom behind the kitchen.” She glanced up at the ceiling like she couldn’t believe she was doing this. “I will send for the doctor. Now go before I change my mind.”
Warwick bowed his head, moving around her, obviously knowing the exact location she was referring to.
“Thank you.” I folded my hands together in gratitude.
