Heirs of Nightmares

“I’m serious, Mel. I’ll protect you, too, okay?” Fenrir says softly. “Just say the word.”

“Why?” I blurt out. “Why do you care?”

"Maybe you need to seduce Mel away from Dorian. Win-win for everyone.”

I choke on my beer, then glare at her. “Seduce corpse girl? Do you hate me?”

Dorian leans in closer, and I can feel his hot breath on my neck. “You don’t fool me, Mel Pavone. I know what you are.”

I pull back, trying to unsettle his hand from my shoulder. 

August moves it to the back of my neck instead. It’s impossibly warm, and I wish again I was wearing my usual getup, with layers and layers that would prevent me from feeling his hand against my skin.

“You’re completely devoted to Mel Pavone from now on. No other women. No one night stands, no hook ups, no closet blowjobs. Not even any lap dances from strippers.”

My jaw falls open. 

He can’t be serious.

Tears spring to my eyes, but I blink several times to ward them off. I won’t cry. Not in front of all of these people.

Not in front of Papa.

The front entrance of the mansion looks like the gate to hell.

Scratch that.

I’d rather be walking into the fires of hell than walking into this party.