Gypsy Truths (All The Pretty Monsters #6)- Kristy Cunning Page 0,160

never challenge me. I hate that,” Idun says, softening her words for him. “Then maybe I’ll finally let you claim me as your bride.”

The vampire takes a step back, eyes going cold, as the chill floats through the air with more presence than he’s been able to force out yet.

“I’ll cut my dick off and settle for eternal celibacy. I belong to one woman, and you know how loyal I am,” he tells her, smirking. “Life without sex is just fine with me. I’m certainly a man who enjoys the act, but never once have I been ruled by my baser urges. I’m steadfast.”

“You’re expendable,” she assures him, losing that composure of hers.

“You’re unworthy,” he tells her very seriously.

Her look turns cold, and his turns dead. It’s the stand-off we’ve all been waiting for.

Not that it matters anymore.

“It seems that when Arion’s done with a woman, he’s truly done. She’s simply been the only woman until now, so it’s new territory for her relentless ego,” the triplets say, reminding me of something very important.

My head jerks back to the spectating ghosts, who are still blocking the view to Violet.

If all those ghosts are just fragments of Violet’s subconscious, then her subconscious is still awake, even though there’s nothing left but shreds of her…

I think.

Fuck, I don’t know how this bloody works, but I do know there’s a lot of hope swelling inside me, and it pisses me off.

Idun slants her gaze toward the ghosts, as if she’s noticing them all for the first time. Immediately, there’s an intense pulse of heat.

“You’re just making it worse. I won’t be taunted by some insolent spectrums,” Idun assures them.

Diva makes a show of zipping her lips, smiling thereafter.

Idun’s attention returns to us, even though she’s less amused now.

“Back to my demands,” Idun states, eyes leveling Vance. “You’ll be in charge, just as you once were. You’ll keep these three in line for me, and you’ll treat me just as you’ve treated her.”

Vance’s attention is trained on the ghosts, and his mind seems a thousand miles away.

Idun’s expression hardens.

“You’d better be listening, Van Helsing. Any marks against the four of you will result in more pain and suffering for her. And this is only after you’ve watched me torture her for a thousand years. Until your sentence is over, I’ll be running things. When I’m not busy making your girl toy scream, that is,” Idun drones on.

The devil’s lips curve back into a smile.

Staggering to my feet, feeling my monster sitting on edge, I ready myself to fight with whatever is left in me.

Vance stands, and his swords begin forming from their silver hilts.

Arion’s claws are sharp and ready.

Emit’s still growling and waiting on the perfect moment to strike.

As one, we all take a step toward her. Idun’s smile doesn’t waver.

“My angry boys. There you are. Don’t worry. I’ll break you in good this time, and you’ll learn your true roles. Because, I’m not an alpha. I’m a fucking queen. You will learn to bow before me and recognize that power once and for all. These nonsensical rebellions stop now.”

We launch ourselves at her without another second of hesitation. All four of us dart and weave, as she remains unmoving. Just as Arion reaches her, and is about to make his move, static tickles my body. Then…there’s a shock so powerful that it’s nearly blinding. It hits me so hard that it snares my lungs and leaves them seizing for a moment.

When I thud against the ground, banging into Vance, I dart my gaze back, finding Idun on the ground as well. My eyes lift to see Talbot, as another streak of lightning crashes in front of Idun, as if warning her of his power.

“What the hell do we have here?” Idun bites out, slowly pushing back up to her feet.

“I’m just an ordinary man, who’s looking out for his alpha,” he says, dropping to be in front of me. “I’m a damn good beta. I’m simply doing my job.”

Talbot smiles, as he wipes blood from the split lip Vance gave him.

“Terrible mistake for a beta freak to make,” Idun assures him, proving she has no idea who he is. “Betas can die.”

“I’m not here to deal with you. I’m merely here to assist January Violet Carmine and Damien Morpheous, Ms. Neopry,” he tells her, humbly bowing at the waist.

Without looking up from his bowed position, I see him smirk.

“You really shouldn’t have provoked Hyde,” he adds on a near whisper that I almost