“What happens when Jarin is left alone with newbloods?” I asked, rounding on Asher the moment Jarin was gone.
Darian, who was still standing behind me, was the one to answer. “Jarin was one of the monsters who selected the last round of humans. He tried to rape one of the girls before they’d turned, but the act must have frightened her enough that it brought on the change. The girl named Piper transformed into a gorgon with a head full of snakes.”
My brows rose in surprise. “Snakes?”
“Yep. One look and Jarin had been turned into stone,” Asher added with a wry grin. “Unfortunately, the effect didn’t last.”
“Huh. Sounds like he got what he deserved.” I wanted to hope that Jarin had learned his lesson, but something told me he hadn’t. Still, I was glad Piper had gotten some revenge.
My expression became thoughtful then as I contemplated the very important information I’d just learned. Jarin was one of the monsters who’d selected the humans during the last round.He has to know where Cara is.While I’d spoken to all the newbloods from the last round during the first night of the Week of Orash, I hadn’t been able to outright ask them about Cara. Not with so many other monsters around us. The last thing I needed was someone figuring out why I was there.
I’d been wracking my brain trying to think of a way I could speak with some of them privately, but Jarin… If he was there for the selection, he knew more than those newbloods would. He could give me answers. I was sure of it.
Whenwefinallymadeit back to the common room, I kicked off my heels and trudged straight to Darian’s room, purposely letting my feet drag on the floor. For the remainder of the night, I’d been distracted as I forced a smile to my face and chatted with the monsters who approached me. Every so often, I would scan the crowd, searching for Jarin, and when I glimpsed his green eyes and twisted horns, relief would rush through me. I just had to hope he would still be there when I returned without the company of Kade, Darian, and Asher. Locke hadn’t joined us at the party, so I didn’t think he would be an issue.
“Goddess, I’m tired,” I groaned and stretched out my arms before opening my mouth in a wide yawn. I wasn’t exactly lying because Iwasexhausted. From fighting Samara’s succubus power and a night once again pandering to alphas’ egos, I could have curled up on the floor and slept right there. Still, I wanted to make it really clear that the only thing I was planning to do in the near future was sleep. Dawn wasn’t far away, and before long, the party would end as the remaining monsters in the ballroom would crawl back to their beds. I needed Kade and the others to copy me and fall asleep as quickly as possible.
Darian was quick to follow me, but I face-planted on his bed and pretended to fall asleep immediately without even changing my dress. It wasn’t my finest moment, but I hoped it was believable enough.I mean, the monster was a siren with incredible hearing so there was the risk he could hear my heartbeat and would know I was faking it, but I kept my face relaxed and my breathing steady and hoped for the best.
There was a beat of silence as Darian stood watching me, but then he chuckled under his breath, and the next thing I felt was his slender fingers draping a blanket over my body. I had to stop myself from biting my lip as I imagined his long fingers removing my dress instead, but I managed to keep still, and before long, his steps receded until I assumed he was back in the common room.
A short time passed before he returned and lowered himself onto his bed, far on the side opposite from me. Keeping silent, I waited until his breathing slowed and I was sure he was asleep, then I slowly slid from the mattress.
Peeking into the common room, I checked it was empty before dashing across the space and snatching up my heels. Making my way to the weapons shelf, I strapped two daggers to my thighs, then I crept from the room and closed the door behind me.
Myfirstthoughtwasthat I was free. That I could disappear into the mountain and maybe escape into the city. But I had no idea where I would go, and Jarin was a real lead. A real chance for me to find my sister. If I escaped into the city, I had no idea where I would start to look for her.And the fact you don’t want to leave Kade and the others has nothing to do with it either, right?I ignored the voice in my head.
By now, I had memorized the twists and turns I had to take in the tunnels to get to the ballroom, and it wasn’t long before I was standing in front of familiar double doors. Shrieks of laughter, groans, and pounding music floated to me out in the tunnel, and I mentally prepared myself for whatever grisly scene I was about to enter. What had Asher said?The mood changes as the night wears on.
I let out a deep breath through my nose.All right, this is no big deal. I’m just a human going into a room full of randy, intoxicated monsters who are looking to have some fun.
I knew going to the party without Darian and the others wasn’t the smartest idea. Even though I’d bested Samara only hours earlier, I still hadn’t shown any true strength.
Just get in there, get the information you need, and get your ass out. Steeling myself, I took another deep breath and entered the room.
I had tried to prepare myself for what I’d see, but I was still shocked when I stepped into the ballroom.Holy Mother Falia.Asher was right about the atmosphere changing as the night wore on. On the dais, the four-monster band still played music, the rapid thudding of the drums and strumming of wooden musical instruments making my bones vibrate. But monsters were no longer just dancing and chatting with one another. Moans, grunts, and groans filled the air as monsters sought their pleasure not just from the wine and music but from one another as well. Gray smoke curled in the air, obscuring some of the monsters, but others were on full display, not caring that they were in plain sight of everyone else.
A female demon giggled as she walked past me, holding the hand of a male centaur. The centaur was handsome, with long brown hair that waved over his muscular shoulders and brown eyes that sparkled with mischief. His head turned to me, and his movements slowed as he gave me a roguish smile, his heated gaze sliding down my body as if he was imagining everything I had to hide under my dress.Whoa.My cheeks warmed, and I was grateful when the demon tugged playfully on his hand and he turned from me, continuing the follow her across the room.
Swallowing, I gave myself a mental shake and made my way through the room. Picking my path carefully, I avoided any wandering hands or unnaturally long tongues and peered around as I searched for Jarin.Great plan, Raine. And what happens if you find Jarin but he’s busy with uh…activities? Fuck.I didn’t have an answer.
Ducking beneath an archway, I scanned the private area on the right side of the ballroom where the white chaise lounges were grouped. Thankfully, the sheer material draped over the couches seemed to be purely decorative, as it didn’t stop me from seeing who relaxed on the seats. If Jarin was in there, I’d spot him. The unfortunate part was that it also meant I could see all the other monsters.
My gaze landed on where a Minotaur was lounging naked, his bronze skin tinted blue from the light of the torches spread around the space. Two vampires were drinking from him, one with her fangs buried in his neck and the other with her teeth clamped onto his wrist. At first, I thought they were killing him, but then I noticed the stupid smile on his face. His eyes rolled into the back of his head before closing, and he moaned as the vampires continued to suck and lick at him.
Well, fuck.If I hadn’t already realized going back to the party alone was a bad idea, I did right then. Swallowing hard, I moved faster, passing by the Minotaur and his friends.I need to find Jarin quickly and get the hell out of here.
I wondered then whether I should have told Kade, Asher, and Darian the truth about my sister and about me wanting to find Jarin. Did it really matter if they knew?They could try to stop you, common sense whispered to me. No, I had to do this alone.
Winding my way through the dwindling crowd, I avoided eye contact with any monster who looked my way. Something told me that not all monsters would gracefully accept refusal.
Yeah, like the rapist you’re trying to find.I’d almost forgotten what Asher had said about Jarin and the newblood, but I was comforted by the feel of the daggers on my thighs. Jarin might have been a demon with instant healing abilities, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt if I stabbed him repeatedly.
Moments passed, and I had almost given up hope of finding him when I saw him with another demon near the far wall of the ballroom. The face of the other demon seemed to be in a perpetual scowl as they talked, and I wondered what they were discussing.
Moving behind a stone pillar, I waited until the other male had left before stepping into the open again.All right, Raine, act sexy.Curving my lips into what I hoped was a seductive smile, I swayed my hips as I strode over to Jarin.
The demon spotted me immediately, and surprise flared briefly on his face before he smoothed his expression and grinned at me. His green eyes watched me hungrily as I sauntered toward him, his gaze traveling up and down my body and lingering on the swell of my breasts. Nausea gripped me, and I resisted the urge to grab my daggers.
