Gypsy Moon (All The Pretty Monsters #4)(7)

“With a gathering that large, they’d need a sizeable central location,” Damien says to Vance. “This is clearly a ploy to draw us in for some sort of trap. I’d happily step right into it. No need to cleverly disguise the bloody thing in a riddle.”

“I’ll get a clearer head if I start on foot,” Vance says impatiently as he stands and darts out.

Arion’s eyes meet mine. “This girl attracts more attention and trouble than should be possible.” His lips tug up in a sadistic grin. “She better be damn glad I know she can’t die.”

“It’s not an open pass. You remember Bobo. He could charge into a room and drop some bodies, sure. But it’s a short burst of rage-filled energy, and Violet’s too young to have too much of it bottled up, even with her empathic levels,” I point out.

“She’ll collapse and then they’ll find someone old enough to guide them to the next step. Which is sawing her to pieces,” Arion adds, eyes on mine again like he and I are definitely going to find out who’s stronger the second this is all over.

“Apples and bloody oranges,” Arion says, his gaze jerking away as his knee begins bouncing. “Trouble magnet. I can’t remember the last time I had this much dread in my gut. Vampires. Wolves. Occults. She’s the omega under everyone’s feet all at once.”

He curses as he runs his hand through his hair.

“It’s as though she’s deliberately the opposite of Idun,” I say under my breath.

“Probably the reason for our damning obsession with her,” Damien adds on a dry note. “Every time we give her a moment to herself, she gets herself into a mess.”

“So it’s settled. She’s moving in with me, and you all can come see her when you want to,” Arion says like he’s declaring it the new law.

“I’m struggling to see how that’s the next thing out of your mouth. Did I miss another conversation you only had in your head?” I ask him.

“Well, she needs twenty-four hour vigil. I’m the strongest, because, aside from Idun, I’m the only fucking real monster in this group.”

“Idun’s not in our group,” Damien quickly tells him, narrowing his eyes.

Arion exhales harshly. “She will be very shortly, and we can’t deny her alpha position. I didn’t mean romantically,” Arion clarifies.

“He used to be quicker at the loops,” Damien grumbles.

“He’s slower because of all your loose ends mucking up his mind, so stop trying to make this his fault when it’s Emit’s. You don’t even have a good reason to hate Vance anymore,” Arion gripes at Damien before gesturing toward me. “Emit is the fuck-up right now.”

“I think telling you she’s unable to die has hindered the seriousness of the situation we’re in,” Damien says, glaring over at Arion.

Arion’s cool smile flits away as his pupils waver. “Perfectly on edge, mate. But until Vance does his part, I can’t do mine. Do you want me somewhat sober when that time comes?”

“Fair enough,” Damien says with a shrug.

“And Violet stays with me,” Arion adds, pushing for that last bit of extra he always does after winning any argument.

“That’s not even—”

“Where else will she stay? Is she going to stay with you?” Arion asks him in interruption, swinging a dubious look at him. “You, who struggled with some omega purebloods?”

“I took a sabbatical from feeding. Things are looking up now, though. Heart’s beating firmly. I’m still an alpha, Arion,” he says with a sneer.

“It’s going to take longer than that to replenish all you allowed yourself to lose. Especially since you’re avoiding dealing with Dorian,” Arion goes on.

“Dorian isn’t my problem, and how did this get turned around on me? You were hating Emit. Let’s get back to that. It’s his fault Violet is at the mercy of pureblood wolves and held captive by a daughter with too many secrets. Let’s also be pissed about the fact Violet won’t let Vance find her, because she’s a stubborn girl who thinks she can handle whatever, since she hasn’t found her limit yet.”

And Arion’s back to glaring at me.

“I’m going to go see if I can catch a scent that’s strong enough to follow and at least give us a general direction to point Vance in. Find something more helpful to do,” I say as I stand and walk out.

“Spoken like the true guilty party,” Damien adds to my back, and I turn to see him saluting Arion with his drink.

It’s never good when Damien plays nice with Arion. It’s all fun and games until they finally collide.

A heavy thunk and Damien’s shouted curse has me looking back again, just as a bloodcurdling scream cracks through the air and sends a pained chill up my back.

I always forget how much more the vampire’s curse hurts until I hear that scream.

I’ve seen Arion brutally tortured and never scream like that.

The curse has finally claimed him for his turn.

His body contorts as Damien’s eyes shoot to mine, and we both heave out a breath of frustration. This is terrible timing.

Without another word, I walk to Arion’s side, and force down his legs, as his bones begin to crack. Another shrill scream almost deafens me. Damien holds down his shoulders as the bones stop cracking as hard and as frequently.