The Company of Fiends (Tempting Monsters 2)

A WICKED SPEECH

Iwas aware of the stares of the neighborhood as Ronan and I walked together, aware of the policemen at the corners of the streets, and the one ambling through the green as we cut through. The sun was high enough in the sky to cut over the tops of buildings, and the park was missing the stillness I was so fond of.

"You make a handsome human," I whispered to Ronan as I caught a young woman on another man's arm gaping at my escort.

Ronan's coat was large and ill-fitted, but it was charmed to disguise him, the heft of his wings vanishing, his horns glimmering away, and his skin turning from vibrant rust red to a weathered tan. He still had his lovely black hair, all glossy on the top of his head, and sharp cheekbones beneath almost golden-brown eyes. Plush lips smirked at my compliment, and his eyes flicked to me.

"Starting to prefer the other side, hm?"

You don't belong. Not with my kind. Not with your mother's,the old memory of my father hissed. If they only knew what you were, they'd never share their smiles with you.

"I like you as yourself," I murmured back, my arm squeezing briefly around his. "But now I wonder if perhaps Mr. Reddy should consider a theater where humans come to admire monsters."

Ronan huffed and rolled his eyes, but they flicked around the park to see the women who watched him, his shoulders straightening and his stride smoothing into a prowl.

"You're a rare breed, Hazelnut," Ronan said, and my heartbeat stuttered until he added, "A human who takes our kind without any illusions."

I snorted. "The theater uses plenty of illusions."

"I don't mean on stage," Ronan whispered, head turned and lips close to my ear. His breath was still hot and smoky, and it rushed down the side of my throat. "Do you know, Beth once asked me to tie my tail back."

I blinked and turned, our noses almost bumping. "What?"

"For the scene. She didn't like it touching her. I even suggested once that in one of our trick falls I catch her by my tail. She gagged," Ronan said, chin tipping up in defiance.

"I…I didn't know," I said, frowning and trying to recall any instance of Beth complaining about any of her partners. And we had, all the girls did occasionally, although it was usually about scratches or not getting off. Never our partner's features or abilities. Reddy wouldn't have allowed it from us, surely.

"Reddy overworks you, and the girls know he'll do it. If they refuse an act, you'll be there to pick it up," Ronan said grimly.

"Everyone seems to have an awful lot of opinions about this lately, usually without discussing it with me," I muttered as we stepped back onto the sidewalk. I leaned past Ronan to check the road for traffic, waiting for an ice cart to pass before tugging him across the street with me.

"What is it about being cared for that sets your teeth so on edge, nut?" Ronan laughed.

I rolled my eyes and ignored the question as we turned the corner to my street. There was a familiar black carriage waiting on the road in front of my house, and Ronan and I both slowed at the sight.

"Has he been here all day?" Ronan asked.

I shook my head. "He left in the night." I ignored Ronan's puff of annoyance and stared at Hunter's carriage.

I hadn't been planning on inviting Ronan inside with me. We had the boundary of the theater to provide sense to our…friendship, and I wasn't sure what it would mean to stretch that boundary, especially to a place so personal. Now, with the reappearance of Hunter, I was tempted to change my mind, to keep Hunter out and let Ronan in. It was contrary and would only add to the confusion I carried lately.

"I think I need to speak with him. He might have information about Beth," I reasoned.

Ronan grunted.

"He was sweet last night, Ro," I whispered.

"Oh, was it his sweetness I was smelling on you today?" Ronan bit out.

I ground my teeth, but there were a few familiar faces on the street and I didn't want to make a scene. Or at least not more of one than poor fallen Hazel Nix on the arm of one man only to be passed off to another.

"It was my climbing onto his cock like I was in heat that you smelled, as a matter of fact," I hissed back.

Ronan's eyes grew huge and he jerked, and I regretted my words instantly. Until suddenly his lips were twitching and snorting laughter escaped. I released my own sigh of laughter and shook my head.

"Fair enough, nut," Ronan said, grinning and lifting my knuckles to his lips, a wicked glint in his gaze out of the corner of his eyes. "Go enjoy the orc. I'll see you at rehearsals tomorrow."

I sighed and squeezed his hand before he released me, turning on his heel and heading back the way we'd come. Ahead of me, the carriage door opened, the diminutive disguise of Hunter stepping down. He waited for me on the sidewalk, his head bowed and covered by the brim of the top hat.

"You came back," I greeted softly.

"I can't stay, I shouldn't come in—"

"Please," I said, wincing at the small bland human in front of me. "Please, I'd like…to see you."

He had watery blue eyes, so lifelike, and they blinked at me as the little human figure seemed to swell and grow slightly taller. "Very well, Miss Nix."

I led Hunter inside and barely had the door shut before I was tearing the hat off his head. Hunter—handsome, broad, tall Hunter—stiffened as I collapsed against his chest.

"I hate that stupid hat," I muttered, frowning as his arms remained hanging at his side. I leaned away slightly and looked up. It was the first time I was seeing Hunter in daylight, and the color of his skin was softer, the lines of his face gentler. "I think you should get a disguise that looks more like you."

His lips were parted, eyes wide, and since he seemed unable to find anything to say in response, I rose to my toes, arching into him.

Pathetic, I thought. Had I forced him into sex the night before? Was I demanding this kiss now?

But he groaned as my lips met his, arms wrapping tightly around me and mouth slanting. His tongue was hot and rich as it stroked my own, and I shuddered as his claws dug through my skirt to grip my ass.

"I can't stay," he said again, tearing his lips away, eyes a little wild now. And in spite of his words, his grip on me tightened, pressing me hard to his hips. "I only came to…to apologize for my treatment of you last night."

"Your treatment?" I repeated.

"I was too rough—"

"You were wonderful."