I stand upright, every muscle locked, while Aurelia slowly lowers herself, her golden eyes fixed on the visitor.
I side-eye, jaw clenching as he steps forward casually, but there’s nothing casual about the way he stares down at my little corpse. His thick glasses catch the dim light, hiding whatever venom's stirring behind them, and something tightens in my chest, something close to dread.
I didn’t want him to meet her. Not now. Not likethis. Not fucking ever.
They lock eyes, narrowed, tense in a silent standoff that doesn’t need words to crackle. Then, with a sudden burst of artificial charm, Valen holds out his hand and plasters on that big, fake-ass, creepy smile.
“I’m Valen. Wrath’s godfather,” he announces like he’s delivering news that should matter.
My gaze shifts to him, and sure enough, there it is. That fucking eye twitch. A tic that’s always pissed me off. I’ve thought about stabbing it more than once. It flares worse when he’s agitated, and right now, it’s dancing like it’s got something to say.
Her hand meets his cautiously, fingers barely brushing his palm, like she canfeelwhat he is beneath the skin. Like she knows fucking evil he is and how many women have died by those hands.
But now he’s using them to touchwhat’s mine.
The thought curdles hot in my stomach, and my mind twists dark and violent. I picture severing that smug hand clean at the wrist, just to see if he can still twitch that fucking eye while he bleeds.
“Aurelia,” she replies evenly, chin tilted up, holding her ground like she’s not even slightly afraid of the monster standing in front of her.
Valen’s gaze flicks to her upper arm and something in that moment tightening between all three of us before she rips her hand back like his touch burned.
Then, without a word, she looks up at me to give a small nod. She moves past us both, walking toward the main tent, her back straight, her presence still lingering long after she’s gone.
Valen watches her go, carefully, like he’s memorizing the way she moves, then his eyes snap to mine.
My jaw locks as he turns, squaring his body to mine, as if he’s already poking a line he shouldn't cross.
“It makes sense now,” he mutters, like he’s piecing together something rotten and beneath him. I raise my chin as his dark eyes drag over me with open disdain. “You’re with a…girl.”
The word drips off his tongue like it’s filth.
I step forward, slow and careful, until my chest brushes his, the air between us humming with threat. My furious red eyes lock onto his, warning him to stay away from her without my voice.
His brow rises, chin lifting in tandem like he doesn’t believe a word of it. He thinks this is still a game he’s in control of. His eyes roam me, dissecting, calculating, then he calmly lifts a hand and brushes something invisible off my shoulder, the gesture infuriating.
“We’re alike more than you’ll ever realize,son,” he says, voice almost fatherly, but dripping with something deadly. “This won’t last… Pussy comes and goes.”
His gaze sharpens, locking with mine. “I made you. And I don’t doubt for a second you’ll do the right thing… and she’ll be a carcass soon.”
I seethe through tight teeth, but he doesn’t even flinch. He just stands there, still wearing that quiet and smug calm like armor.
We stare at each other, unblinking, two predators in a room too small for both of us.
Then, with a slight nod, he turns and walks away like nothing I said mattered. I watch every step he takes, my gaze fixed on his back until he disappears into the main tent.
Only then do I glance down at my hands, fingers splayed, the faintest tremble running through them like aftershocks from a wrath I didn’t unleash.
When I spot Soul striding past, I lunge forward and grab his arm.
He halts immediately, his green eyes flicking down to where my hand grips him, like I’ve touched something sacred without permission.
I let go, starting to sign and his eyes lift to my fingers.
Stay close tonight. I have plans.
His brow arches, but he gives a single, silent nod before turning and walking off to prep for the show.
So, Aurelia wants to share me? Fine. But let’s see how her little wet cunt reacts when I share her. Two can play this fucked-up game. Plus, Soul being there might stop me doing something stupid.