Gypsy Truths (All The Pretty Monsters #6)- Kristy Cunning Page 0,99

of nature. A natural monster with no discernable purpose. Just one. And, if I read the bones correctly, it looked just like the vast majority of legends described them to be,” she carries on, as I take a measured step in her direction.

When she doesn’t object, I take another step. And another.

I pause when she starts speaking again, simply because I’m desperately trying not to rile her. If she’s as crazy as Arion swears she is, then this could get bad for no reason at all.

“That one magnificent creature left chins wagging for centuries long after its death. Dragons are still relevant in myths and storytelling to this very day,” she carries on.

“They’re almost as popular as Pandora’s box. The one and only Pandora and her devilish box,” I tell her, smiling a charming smile as I begin moving toward her very slowly once again.

“No need for flattery, Van Helsing. I’m well aware of my name and how it’s grown over these many centuries. I’m a footnote in another’s story. A mere plot device to make up for the sins of others. Everyone needs someone to blame. I’m the perfect villain or victim, depending on the storyteller,” she rambles.

“Is the reason you chose to meet here because you know Idun is far away and preoccupied?” I ask her.

She’s quiet for a moment, and my footsteps slow to a near crawl, as just a hint of moonlight streaks down on a fourth of her face. Her eyes are solid white, and my breath seizes in my lungs, as something happens to my knees.

My body is falling before I even realize what’s going on, as my head swims with dizziness. My stomach clenches, as bile rises to my throat, and within seven minutes after arriving, I’ve decided I was an idiot to think she could be trusted.

“I brought you here because one magnificent beast that inspired so many tales of destruction and death has a lot of power a blood witch can siphon from. My magic dried up ages ago. These days, I can’t use it unless I steal it from something or someone else. I’ve been saving this for something special,” she continues to say, even as her voice seems to grow more distant.

Gasping for air, my lungs nearly scream in agony, as the world around me dims. My head is too heavy to move, and my body is weighted down just as severely, leaving me helplessly stuck to the ground.

“You’re so desperate to finally overtake her that you rushed here without hesitation, shamelessly hoping you could trust me. Did you forget how the world really works all because you found a new girl to love with all your shallow heart?” she says in her distant tone, mocking me.

The hem of a blue dress over bare feet is all I glimpse, before it all fades to black, leaving me blind.

Her next words barely reach me, as my heart tries to explode in my chest, my body seizing up and on the telling verge of passing out.

“Desperation suggests hopelessness. Desperation breeds fools who charge in recklessly. Surely by now you know better. Eventually, you’ll have no choice but to submit. It’s the way of our world. She is your fucking queen. The strongest…”

The rest of her words are so muffled I don’t manage to hear her, and I’m almost grateful for it. Fury burns through my veins for my own ignorance for believing her feelings toward the Simpletons would put her on our side.

The final breath is finally yanked from my lungs, and the world disappears.

Chapter 30

DAMIEN

“Damien, if you don’t get rid of this illusion right now, I’m going to knee you in the balls. I don’t want to, but I will do it without an ounce of regret,” Violet says, turning a very violent shade of red, while glaring at me in a way that suggests she’s wholeheartedly telling the truth.

“I hate the mascot uniform. You’re my Flame, and it’s the first official time I’m getting to show you off. I’m sorry. People mostly remember me today, and I want them envying me. You should feel flattered,” I assure her, giving her a charming grin, as I run my finger under the strap of the adorable slip dress. “I kept it decent.”

“Decent?!” she hisses, eyes wild and angry.

She wildly gestures to the dress.

“Damien, it’s very nearly showing my ass, and I can’t even feel my underwear. Is it necessary to also give me the illusion of being naked underneath this thin,