Gypsy Truths (All The Pretty Monsters #6)

by Kristy Cunning

“Fuck the blood. She lost all her organs. There’s no way she’s already up,” Vance says on a quiet breath, brow furrowed, as he turns and starts searching the dark shadows surrounding us. The tickling I felt…could that have been strings? I glance down, finding my socks missing. Not a single thread is left.

Idun’s claws smash against the child’s arm, and I watch with some admitted shock when the sharp, deadly, indestructible weapons break from her fingertips for the very first time, leaving nary a scratch on the child’s flesh. There’s a pained scream that follows. It takes a moment to realize it’s Idun screaming, as she staggers back, clutching her wrist, while blood pours from her fingertips.

“You claimed me?” I ask, those words standing out above all the others. “For a lack of another term, you’re my mate, Vance,”

“Damn it, Arion, I’m already her mate. If she’s claiming someone—” Violet’s eyes cut hopefully to Emit, almost as though she’s been dreading his reaction the worst, for whatever reason. Emit’s words die, and his lips move, as though he intended to say more, but didn’t ever actually mean to start speaking aloud in the first place. Violet’s lips turn up in a subtle grin, and she looks away. Her smile falls when she seems to remember she’s still holding the head of the queen.

“Which will happen. We’re protective of Violet,” the jester states from the ground, grinning like she’s ready to do more than twiddle her thumbs.

Honestly??? Cute

I’m going to ensure my bride stays happy, because that’s always been the plan. Even before I knew that bride would be you. You’re my priority. My anchor. My soul’s replacement,”

By the way, sir…I fought alongside Demetria tonight.” He stares at me as though he needs my help sorting through that fact, since it makes no sense to him at all. Jasper makes a cooing sound, as if he hears us speaking his mother’s true name. Avery’s eyes move to the humming swing that is gently rocking Jasper right now.

SAY WHAT

“Want the next plane named after her?” he asks, causing me to snort and release a huff of laughter. “May as well name the next plane, train, and ship after her. If I have any submarines, name them after her as well,” I say, causing him to muffle his own small, accidental bout of laughter.

She’s a woman I never thought I’d have much in common with, but over the years, I’ve grown fonder and fonder of her.

🥹

That letter’s going to say Demetria can’t keep him. That letter’s going to ask Violet to be his mother. That letter’s going to hopefully convince Violet that this is best, because he’s already under my bloody skin. He’s going to need protection, rules, and a lot of training to face the world as a monster with a secret.

🥹😫

“I’m sure you’ll be with Leiza tonight, inside Sanctuary. Let me know when the vampire’s honeymoon ends, so that I can speak with Violet as soon as possible,” I tell Avery, who is patiently waiting to be dismissed.

Those pricks. Are they lying just bc they want to get marked?!

Anyone who knows us knows we’ve been so damn in love with her that we’d give her almost anything she asks for. Actually, so far, we have given her everything she’s asked for. In no time, she’s flipped our world upside down, and we’ve let her.

“They’re trying to bloody break her defenses down until the monster surges forth and claims the lot of them, as you did me,”

Fucking knew it those rats 😂

“Violet’s going to trust him less for that, since she was forced to get her hands dirty,” she adds. “What are you talking about? Violet was in the woo—” “Vance, I’m over here!” Anna shouts very suddenly, sounding exactly like…Violet…as she grins. “Why does it sound like your voice is moving around?”

But then my gaze moves to where her left hand is bound, when a glistening object catches the sun. I forget the fight. I forget what’s going on. I forget why I even came here. Violet’s wearing my ring.

“Do you really think I’m going to pass up an opportunity to be claimed? You don’t get to be special, Van Helsing. I want her mark on me too.”

“Is that Talbot Lane?” Arion asks with some incredulity, drawing my attention to the driver of the car that’s idling at the curb. Talbot smirks at us and gives us a little wave. “H-he was already heading in that direction to look into some succubae disappearances. He’s just dropping me off,” Shera says very quickly. Too quickly.

HELL YEA! I knew I felt the vibe! She deserves someone totally devoted to her as well 👏🏻👏🏻

A smile curves my lips when Vance absently reaches out, his fingers touching mine. Emit makes a seemingly unconscious move to let his fingers rest at my side, just barely touching me. Arion moves to be behind me, and his cold fingers graze my throat when he moves my hair to the side to expose the marks he left behind when he made me his bride.

“Little monster, now you’re all ours,”

She’s mine. I’m hers. They’re hers too.

Damien is lounging against a willow tree, as he reads a book aloud to Violet, while she almost sleeps. Her head is in his lap, and his hand is resting on her stomach.

Wait, why is he sitting in the corner like a total creeper and staring at Shera over the rim of his beer? That’s not his face he’s wearing. I know it’s him, though. He hasn’t figured out how to change his eyes yet.