The Company of Fiends (Tempting Monsters, #2)

by Kathryn Moon

"I think you try to tease me, Miss Nix." I couldn't help my grin as I turned my head, charmed by the furrow of concentration on his green brow. "It's only teasing if I don't mean it, sir."

We are nothing if we aren't being watched by that audience, Nix.

"I want to be erased," I breathed, blinking up at him. "Never," Antin murmured back. "But you can be remade."

"Very few would prefer my company," Constantine said. "Then very few have any sense," I muttered.

"Because, little one, I have wanted you in my house, my bed, my company, as much as I could have you, for as long as I have known you. And there finally appears to be time...for us."

"I bet that lot was very attentive last night," she said. "Hush and go bend over for someone," I answered, a little bubble of lightness in my chest at her answering laughter.

"I admit I like when you call me master, but will you save it for when I please you?" I grinned at the floor, twitching under his hand slightly. "Yes, master."

"Why do you like his scent on me?" I asked, frowning and finding it easier to think as the harness slipped down my arms. "He smells like toast," Hunter said.

"You're a very rare woman, Hazel Nix," Hunter said, hands sliding under his shirt and up my back to draw me closer. "Someone so precious ought to be loved by many."

"I've been in love with you ever since you asked me how flexible my tail was," he muttered in my ear before kissing the lobe.

"Are you going to deny me anything after eight years?" I asked, a low blow, but an effective one. He gaped up at me and then shook his head. "Nothing."

Because my father had been unable to love me. He'd blamed my mother's blood, and thus so had I, when really it was his own fault.

"You're a good girl, Hazel Nix. You deserve the lot of them, and however many more that please you." "Five should do the trick, I'd think," I huffed. But I grinned at Mr. Reddy over my shoulder as I opened the door wide. "And a raise, perhaps."

"We are proof that the two worlds we are made of refuse to fit together," I said softly. "Perhaps," Jude said, shrugging. "Some bridges take time."

Ronan smirked. "I've never thought of being a monster's kept lady, but I have to be honest, it doesn't sound so terrible," he said.

"I love you. But I think you want me to make you happy, more than you want to be happy with me.

you've given him more reason than ever to fear young women and monsters."

"Then he should be terrified of me. I am both," I said, lifting my chin in pride.

I fell in love with you. Somewhere between the stage and your dressing room.

"I love you too. Is it okay to say it down a line like this, or is that rude?"

But as I'd locked the door for the final time last week, there'd been relief too. I'd kept my promise to my father for his entire life, stayed with him, cared for him. I didn't need to keep that vow to my own death too. It was time to move on.

"You're all very cute," I said. Hunter's cheeks darkened another shade further, but he relaxed at last. At least until Ronan spoke. "I told you," he said to Jude. "Hunter is Daddy."