“I won’t bite,” she says to Bolt. “Come closer.”
Bolt radiates tension as he steps forward. I can see he’s trying to stay far enough away that she can’t get to his neck.
Gabby holds out her free hand. “Take it.”
Bolt frowns because it’s unexpected. I’m frowning as well.
“Don’t be such a big baby. Take my hand.”
He sighs and does what she says. I can’t see Bolt’s face from this angle. I can see Gabby’s just fine. She grins. I hear Bolt give a strangled cry. I take a small step forward because I think she’s doing something to him. Is she taking his power? Is this how it’s done?
She lets his hand go and then crooks her finger, telling him to come closer.
I frown when I see him comply. Not just that, he leans towards her. Gabby’s eyes are wide. They are focused on Bolt, and for the first time, I see fear in Morgan’s eyes which are focused on Bolt.
Gabby cups Bolt’s face in her hand and giggles. “You are a handsome one, aren’t you?”
I hear Bolt suck in a breath. “You are so fucking beautiful,” he says, sounding pathetic. Like a love-drunk fool.
What the fuck?
This isn’t right.
“Kiss me,” he says to Gabby. Morgan was right about these creatures’ ability to seduce.
“Not just yet.” She smiles at him. “Oh…” Her eyes go wide. “Not too much.” She lets his cheek go, and he sighs again, almost slumping a little.
What is she talking about? Maybe the process of taking power addles the brain for a time after. Maybe taking every last drop kills the person. I’m trying hard to understand exactly what’s going on. I feel powerless to stop it. I grind my teeth in frustration.
“Let’s get rid of these two and…” Bolt starts.
“That’s the plan, handsome,” she tells Bolt. “First, I need to have a quick talk with Lyre.”
“He can’t give you what I can give—”
“Bolt!” I growl. “What the fuck, bro?”
“Quiet!” He points a finger at me. “Gabby and I are in the middle of something.”
“Yeah, she’s taking your power away from you.”
He frowns. “She would never. Gabby is kind and sweet and… I love you,” he says to the harpy, sounding completely smitten.
“What the fuck did you do to him?”
“Relax,” Gabby says. “It will wear off. Might take a while.” She frowns and then shrugs like she doesn’t care.
“You have what you came for…now leave,” I say, trying to keep my temper in check.
“Come here now!” she says to me, again digging the gun so hard into Morgan that she moans around her gag.
I almost crack my molars. “Take it easy.”
“Back to the part where I’m giving the orders,” Gabby spits out. Her eyes still have a hungry look about them. Maybe she hasn’t quite sated herself yet on Bolt. I’d love to know what she’s playing at.
I walk to her, keeping my hands in the air where she can see them. I don’t want any accidents. Bolt is in my way. He looks at me like he wants to kill me.
“She’s mine,” he pushes out.
The fuck?
I’m not sure what to make of this.
“It’s okay, handsome,” Gabby says to Bolt. “I just need a quick word. That’s all.”
Bolt narrows his eyes on me and then grudgingly steps aside.
“Come closer and take my hand,” she says to me.
No fucking way!
“I don’t have any powers left,” I say.
“Just do it,” she insists. Morgan moans again.
I try to tell Lyre not to do it. I’m not sure what Gabby did to Bolt. I don’t think she took his power. I can still feel her trembling. Her hand is shaking a little. I think that she is just as ravenous as when we first arrived. Whatever she did, it worked. He seems to be completely besotted with her. Like he might just do anything to please her and to stay in her favor. If she gets her hands on Lyre, it will happen to him. I know I teased him about falling for her again, but I hadn’t expected it to actually happen.
The harpy holds out her hand. Lyre looks me in the eyes. I make a noise that I hope will be interpreted as no and don’t.
“Do it now!” Lilith snarls. “I’m done waiting.”
His brow is creased. His eyes are blazing. I can see that it is the very last thing he wants to do, but he takes her hand anyway. The fact that he does it for me makes me feel ill.
His eyes widen. He sucks in a breath. His mouth even drops open a little, like maybe touching her is pleasurable. It physically hurts me to watch him react like this. Even though I know that realistically, there is something going on. She’s doing something to him. This isn’t his will. Still! I hate it. I hate her!
I make a growling noise in the bottom of my throat I’m so fucking livid. Lilith ignores me.
Lyre groans. It’s a noise I’ve heard before, he normally groans like that when we’re kissing or having sex…mainly when we’re having sex.
Lilith lets him go, and Lyre smiles, his eyes on the harpy. “You’re so sexy.” His eyes track her body. “I’m so glad you came back to my place. Back to me.”
“She’s mine!” Bolt snaps, his chest puffing out.
“She’s so beautiful,” Lyre gushes.
“And mine!” Bolt shouts. “I say we fight for her.”
I want to vomit. Not a good idea with a gag.
“Oops! Looks like I gave you a little too much, handsome,” she says to Bolt. “No fighting, my love.”
“Too much what?” Bolt asks, looking confused.
“Nothing, my sweet. I’m going to enjoy having you.” She winks at him, and he grins back at her. “Should we find a bedroom?” He takes off his jacket, and then his tie.
“Soon, my love,” she purrs at Bolt.
Then she chuckles softly and looks at Lyre. “Here I was thinking I would have to put you to sleep, but it wasn’t necessary after all. You really should try to loosen up a little, hun.” Her breath tickles my ear, and I realize she’s talking to me. “I guess the two of you aren’t in a relationship after all. Love is the only antidote.”
I frown. I don’t really know what she means, although I have an inkling about some of it.
“I don’t want to sleep,” Lyre says, sounding spaced out. “I can’t make you come if I’m sleeping.”
“That is very true,” she says, and I think I taste bile. Perfectly normal when your boyfriend is propositioning another woman in front of you.
“Handsome,” she says to Bolt.
“Yes?” Bolt is grinning like a fool. “What can I do for you, babe?”
Heaven help me!
Men!
I can’t stand to watch this. It’s sickening.
“Lie down on the floor for me.”
Bolt frowns. “You want me here? In front of them?” He points at Lyre.
“It’ll be fun,” she says.
“I would rather have you to myself,” Bolt says. “I don’t share well.”
“Humor me, sweetheart. I just want to touch and kiss you. We can go to the bedroom in a few minutes.”