Bitten Beauty (The Deadly Beauties Live On 3)

“I didn’t think she was a threat,” Gage mumbles, looking guilt-ridden and regretful as Kimber walks up behind him. “You all just trusted my judgment.”

Alyssa blows out a breath while leaning back and rubbing her barely pudgy belly.

“If anyone has a sample of her blood, I can track her down and take care of it,” Roslyn offers, even though I can see the shadows of her own issues creeping through her haunted gaze.

“I’ll be the one to take care of it,” Thad tells her, nuzzling her cheek before kissing her neck. “Not you.”

“How fucking morbidly sweet,” Dice says dryly, even as his girl gets more comfortable on his lap.

I swear I’m in couple hell these days.

“No one is killing her until we know for sure what she’s after,” Kimber says, leaning closer to Gage.

“She needs to be killed before she can touch one of us,” Gage counters, his eyes weighted with even more guilt. “She acted like she still love

d me and claimed Gavin had put her under the Aphrodite spell. Now she’s going after Zee because she knew I’d never take her back.”

“It all seemed rehearsed,” I go on. “Like she had lines to say. Even telling me ‘their’ plan seemed staged. It’s like she wanted to earn my trust too quickly, and her desperation shined.”

Kimber and Ella exchange glances as Drackus stands up. Shaylan—his demon-on-a-leash—stands as well. Gage disappears from the room, apparently finished with this conversation.

“We’ll see what we can find,” Drackus says before disappearing into thin air.

“Anyone else hate the fact that he is using that demon within our circle?” Kane asks, looking over at Alyssa as she tries to get comfortable.

He goes to her side as Deke answers. “Definitely sick of him being around. He could be a leak. We don’t even let Amy bring Duke around.”

“Duke?” I ask, confused. I can never remember his name, but that’s not it.

“It’s Deke’s new name for Amy’s night stalker.”

Still confused… Sierra seems to notice, so she adds, “He was sired by a Duke. It’s easier to remember than his name, apparently.”

Deke’s logic… Whatever.

“Drackus swears Shaylan is under his control. He’s under a blood oath to protect us, too,” Alyssa says, wincing and rubbing her stomach again.

“I’ve got to get her out of here. The baby is draining her, and the stress is making it worse,” Kane says on a worried breath, scooping her into his arms.

“I’m fine,” she protests, but her second wince destroys her conviction. “We’re needed here.”

“We’ve got this,” Chaz tells her softly, kissing her forehead. “You go rest.”

Before Alyssa can argue more, Kane is dematerializing them from the room.

“We could really use Calypso’s help,” Dice says on a groan.

“She’s more useful helping take care of Alyssa. We shouldn’t have even let her in on this conversation,” Chaz points out. “I’m going to make some calls. We should keep an eye on Morgana. If they’re using her, they’ll have to contact her sooner or later. Maybe this is the best thing to happen yet.”

“The man has a good point,” Thad grumbles, only halfway paying attention as he continues to lose himself in Roslyn’s neck.

“Zee is our in-man. If she thinks she can get to him, then she’ll be back.” Deke gives me a pointed look, and I try to remain stoic.

I’m not so sure I can keep resisting what she’s offering. I’ve never, ever been tempted by witch’s blood before. But now…

“I need a drink.” Hardly anyone even notices I’ve spoken, so I walk away without worrying about someone catching sight of the way my hand is trembling again.

The fridge door almost falls off when I jerk it open and rip open one of my packs. I gulp it down, hoping to stave off some of the primal urges inside me that are only growing stronger.