Standing about six feet, slender but ripped, with dark almond-shaped eyes, thick dark lashes, and long black hair, I had no doubt he was fae by his unbelievable beauty.
“Wow, look at you.” The dark-haired man’s eyes went over Killian with aversion. “All fancy now, aren’t we?”
“Looks like nothing has changed with you. Still a second-rate thief...” Killian puffed his chest, glaring at him.
“Tradesman.” The man stepped closer, challenging him. “And you think because you wear an expensive suit and have a title before your name, you are above the rest of us now?”
“I am the Lord of Budapest. I rule everyone here now. This is my king-dom.” Killian’s silky voice frayed at the end, his anger curling his hands.
“You don’t rule me.” The thief moved closer, threatening. “You forget, Killian, I know therealyou. I was the one to put the brand on your chest. Know where you come from.” I saw Killian’s eye twitch at this claim. “If your minions only knew how you really got this role—who you were before—would they still worship you?” The man flicked the pocket square at Killian’s chest with a scoff. “Play dress up all you want. I know the real street rat underneath.”
“Fuck you,” Killian growled, lurching for the man, his pure fae magic crackling the air.
A petite dark-haired woman next to the man, who almost blended into the shadows, got between them. She put a blade at Killian’s throat, halting him on his feet.
“Step back, Kil.” Her long, shiny black ponytail whipped around. Her frame was so small you might mistake her for a young girl, but her face was so utterly breathtaking, you could see a sensual woman there.
Killian stared at her, shock and hurt on his face.
“Kitty-Kat.” Killian’s voice changed, going low. Pained.
“Don’t call me that.” Her face twisted, a flicker of agony dancing over her expression, pushing her blade deeper against his jugular.
“So, you’re with him now?” Killian shook his head, sadness in his tone. His gaze moved over her with such deep longing, agony, and...love. “You hated him.” He sneered. “Wanted to kill him. Guess we’re all liars and thieves here.”
“This has nothing to do with him,” she spit out. “Let us leave, Killian, and no harm will come to you.”
“Too late for that, Kitty-Kat.” His tone suggested he meant something else entirely. A history between them I wasn’t privy to.
Her lashes fluttered like she wanted to cry, but instead, she rolled her shoulders back, locking down her features. “I don’t want to hurt you, but we’re leaving with the nectar—no matter what.” Her head tilted slightly to the small messenger bag hanging off her hip.
It was like a punch to my gut. Without one inkling of doubt, I knew the nectar was in there. It was real. And a few feet away from me.
My eyes latched on to the satchel. I swore it felt my presence, coming alive with awareness. I could no longer hear them or even see past what I knew was inside. The pull coming from her bag pushed my back off the wall, and I took a step. It called to me and wanted me to take it. As if it had its own heartbeat, I heard it pulse with power, the beat in rhythm with my own heart. Energy hummed in my veins.
I took another stride, about to step from the shadows when a violent stir of activity snapped me out of my trance. A muscular blond guy came up behind Killian, a blonde girl with him, hitting Killian in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. Killian hit the ground with a thud.
“Thank me later, asshole! Come on!” Blondie waved them forward, running back down the tunnel with the blonde girl.
Both the dark-haired woman and man hesitated by Killian. The woman he called Kitty-Kat bent over, her fingers touching his pulse, letting out a heavy breath.
“He’ll be fine.” The guy yanked her up, pointing her for the exit. “You were meant to rule. You always were,” The man muttered down at the form, a mix of resentment and fondness shading his tone. “Still think you’re a huge douche, though.”
The pair started to move, but she paused, her head twisted in my direction, her lids narrowing, almost catlike, as if she were trying to see through the darkness. See me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his head snapping around with caution.
“Thought I saw... Nothing.” She shook her head, heading down the passage, while he glanced around suspiciously.
I didn’t move or breathe.
“Croygen, come on!”
He gave Killian one last look, turned around, and ran after her.
The nectar. I pushed forward. The need to follow it, to take it from her, moved my feet, but I was yanked back by the book, letting me go no farther.
“Noooo!” I screamed, fighting as it flung me back into darkness.
