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Copyright©2017

Verucacouldhaveswornshe’dleftFinninthecaroutsidethesmall-town

conveniencestore,butnowthat’sshe’dcomebackwithsnacksanddrinks,hewas
nowheretobefound.

Itdidn’tsurpriseher,really.Hersexy,blue-eyedIrishmanwasn’tthatreliableonhis

bestday,andtodaywasjustsupposedtobealeisurelydrivetowardnowhereinparticular.
Itwassomethingtheyenjoyedeverysooften,thoughFinndidoccasionallyclutchhisseat
alittletoohardwhenVerucatooksharp,coastalturns.They’dheadedeast,awayfromthe
coast,though,soherdrivingcouldn’thavebeenblamedforhisdisappearance.

Shesighed,tossedthesnacksintothepassengerseat,lockedupthecar,andheaded

towardthesmallcitycenterthey’dpassedonthewayin.Finnhadprobablyseenawild
hareoragood-lookingoldladyorevenjustahappydogandwanderedoff.Itwasn’tthe
firsttimehe’dmisplacedhimselfchasingtail.Verucafiguredshe’dfindhiminthepark
hoveringoversomeoctogenarianorgoldenretrieverwhowasjusthappytohavehis
attention.

Thetownwasnice,cozy,andvibrant,withflowersandcottages,intimatestores

withtheregisterssoclosetothedooryouhadtogiveaheartyhellototheproprietoras
youentered.Verucaappreciatedtheclose-knitfeelofcommunity,thoughitwouldn’thave
beenaplaceshe’dhavewantedtostaypermanently.Shelikedherprivacy,ifonlybecause
smalltownsweren’tknownfortheirtolerance,andifanyonearoundhadfoundoutshe
workeddirectlyforthePrinceofHellandthatFinncouldraisethedead,theymighthave
triedtorunbothofthemrightofftheirturf.

Shemadeittothecenterofthemainpark,lookingaroundatthelush,summer

foliage,hopingtospotFinn’slankyformandsoftblackhair,buthadnosuchluck.He
wasn’trunningfreeatthedogparkshe’dpassed,hadn’thustleduptocharmthepackof
elderlyladyspeed-walkersmakingtheirwayaroundthesmalllake,andwasn’tchattingup
thetwenty-somethingrunningthebicycle-poweredicecreamcart.Ataloss,Veruca
sighed,tookaseatonasun-warmedbenchattheedgeofthetrail,andclosedherdark

eyes.

Finnhadbeennothingbuttroublesincethey’dmet,causinghermoreinjuriesand

inconveniencethanallofthedecadesinwhichshe’dbeencollectingsoulsboundforthe
underworld.Sheconsideredhispresenceagift,evendespiteallthat,andfoundthatshe’d
fallenindeeperlovewithhimthanwithanyoneelse.Hewasaconstantsourceof
happiness,surprise,laughter,andexcitement.

Sincethatexcitementhadcomeintheformoflosingtrackofhimmorethanonce,

she’dusedherpoweroversoulstoexchangealittleportionofhiswithalittleportionof
hers.They’dbeconnectedforlife,alwaysbeingabletosenseoneanotherandfindone
another,nomatterhowthickthefogoflifemayhavegotten.

Knowinghislocationwasasimplething,oncesheconcentrated,followingthe

magicalgoldenthreadthatlinkedthetwoofthemacrossanydistance.Itwasn’ttangible,
probablywasn’treallyperceptibletoanyone,maybenoteventoanothersoul-reading
Reaper,butitwashowshehadcometothinkoftheirconnection.Finn’ssoul,throughthe
chaosthatwasthetownfullofpeople,animals,insects,andinvisible,magicalcreatures
thatdidn’tshowthemselvestothehumanworld,hummedquietlyatthefaredgeofthe
park,withinagroupofothersouls,allofthemhuman.

Human,buttainted,Verucarealized,poppingtoherfeetbeforeshehadevenopened

hereyes.

Finnwasn’tthatfar,sheknew.Ifshejustpushedherself,joggingthroughtherestof

thepark,shecouldmakeittohimbeforehewastakentoofar,assuminghewasbeing
takenatall.Shedidn’treallyhaveanyreasontoassumeFinnwasindanger,thoughher
entirehistorywithhimwasprobablyenoughtosuggestsuchathing.Ifyetanother
powerfulwomanfromhispasthaddiscoveredhiswhereaboutstherewasagoodchance
shewasgoingtoshowup,nabFinn,andstealoffintothenight.

Ormid-afternoonasthecasemaybe.

Pushingherselfwasn’tdifficult,asVerucahadthetimeandmoneytokeepherselfin

excellentshape,andshemadeittothefarparkinglotjustasFinnwasbeingtrussedup
likearodeocalfandshovedintothebackofamini-van.Thethinglookedlikeithadseen
itsshareofsoccergamesandtrackmeets,whichmadethewholesituationevenmore
ridiculous.VerucacouldseethesurpriseinFinn’seyesforjustasplitsecondbeforehis
facewascoveredbyahood.Thenthevandoorslidshut,justbarelymissinghisleftankle.

“Shit,”Verucaswore,pickingupspeedjustasthevandidthesame,swerving

aroundawomanandherpoodleastheytriedtocrosstheparkinglot.“Shit!”

Knowingitwouldn’tstopthem,butdoingitanyway,Verucahurledherselfintoa

fullonrun,hopingshecouldatleastcatchsightofthelicenseplateforlongenoughto
memorizeitbeforeitgotoutofsight.ShecouldtrackFinnviatheirconnection,sure,but
shehadn’tgottentobeawell-knownReaperbybeinglazyaboutresearch.Beingableto
lookupwhoorwhathadFinnbeforebustingintorescuehisskinnybuttwouldcomein
handy,andsheknewfromexperienceshe’dneedeveryadvantageifshewasgoingtoget
himbackinonepiece.

Thevanspedawaytoofastforhertogetapicture,butshemanagedamake,model,

andthefirstthreedigitsontheplate.SwearingunderherbreathinSpanishasshegaveup
thechase,sheunlockedherphone,noteddownwhatshe’dseen,andstuffedthething
backinherpurse.

“Youokay?”

Verucawhirledonthewomanbehindher,knowingshewouldn’thavebeenshocked

tofindhersocloseifshehadn’tbeensofocusedonFinnandthegetawayvehicle.

“Yeah,areyou?”Verucalookeddownatthepoodle,notingabsentlythat,whileher

officialnamewasGreta,Babyhadbeenmorelovinglyknitintothetapestryofhersoul.It
wasatouchingpicture,Verucathought,enjoyingthesweetnessofthehuman-petbond,
evendespitethesituation.“Isawthatjackassalmosthityou.”

“Yeah,Gretaheresavedmybacon,”thewomansaid,shakingherheadasifshe

couldn’tbelieveit.“Iwastuggingher,butshewouldn’tletmecross.IthinkIgotpartof
theplate,butitwasgoingsofast,Ionlymanagedthelastfewnumbers.Idoubtthecops
candoanythingatanyrate.”

“CanIhavethenumbers?”Verucaasked,thankingherluckystarsforBabyandher

owner’snot-so-keenobservationalskills.“Maybeifwebothfileacomplaintthey’llbe
morelikelytocheckthingsout.”

“Oh,goodidea,”thewomansaid.“Yougotanotepadoranything?”

****

Gettingtheaddresshadbeensimpleenough,consideringtheconnectionsVeruca

hadacrossthehumanworldandbeyond.Belialhadmadesurehistopagentswouldnever
bestymiedinsoulcollectingbysomeoneundercontractrunningscared.Theaddressled
hertoanunassuminghomeinanunassumingneighborhood,buttheownerofthevan
wasn’tthereandVerucacouldseefromthelackofsoulsthatnooneelsewaseither.

Parkinghercardownthestreet,shejoggedup,slippedinthroughthesidegateand

pulledoutalock-pickingsetFinnhadgivenherfortheirone-yearanniversary,hopingthe
skillshe’dattemptedtoteachherhadstuck.Mostoftheirlessonshadendedinhim
unlockingherbraandherunlockinghispants,butsurelysomethingusefulhadstuck.

Doingalittlerecontoseeiftheinsideofthehouseboastedanysurveillance

camerasoralarmpanels,shegrinnedwhennothingshoweditself.Notthatshewouldn’t
havebeenabletohandlealittleB&Echarge,butcausingthepolicetoshowupanddetain
herfromfindingFinnwasn’tonherTo-Dolist.

Itsurprisedheralittlewhenthedoortothegarageclickedopenonherfirsttry,and

shepushedinside,shuttingitsilentlybehindher.Thegarageyieldednothinghelpful,so
shelookedaround,foundthedoortothehouseunlocked,andletherselfin.

Thingsgotinterestingrealfast,andshehadtostopjustinsidethedoorwaytoreally

lookaroundatwhatshewasseeing.

Itshouldhavelookedlikeanormal,suburbanfamilyhome,withabowloffruiton

thekitchencounter,abasketoflaundryonthecouch,andafridgefullofmailandfamily
notes.Ithadallthat,aswellasasheenofdustonthetelevision,month-olddatesonthe

billsonthefreezer,andadiningroomwallthathadbeencoveredindemonicart,scrapsof
scribbledgibberish,andatablelitteredinoccultbooks.

“Well,”Verucasaidwithasigh.“Thisisn’twhatonewishestofindwhen

investigatingakidnapper.”

Shepickedthroughthebooks,scanningcovers,pleasedtoseethathalfthebooks

weregarbagewrittenbyplainhumanswhoknewnothingofthetrueoccult.Theothers
hadtidbitsofinformationthateithercameclosetolegitimateorwereoutrightcorrect,and
Verucawonderedwhythey’dbeenallowedtoputsuchinformationoutintotheworld.

Thinkingshe’dhavetoaskBelialaboutitsometime,sheshuttheonethathadbeen

atthebottomofthestackandmovedontolookthroughtherestofthepapershopingfora
clueastowherethepersonorpeoplewho’dlivedinthehousehadgone.Thedustandthe
rottennessoftheapplesonthecounterledhertobelievethey’dleftawhileago,butthere
didn’tseemtobeanysignofwherethey’dgone.

Furtherperusaloftheinformationspreadacrossthewall,however,didyield

somethinguseful.

“Hijoeputa,”shesworewithashakeofherhead.“Areyouidiotsserious?”

****

“Veruca,hownicetohearfromyou.TowhatdoIowethepleasure?”

“Ineedsomeinformation,”Verucasighedintothephone.“Finn’sbeentaken.”

“Finn?”Belialasked,sarcasmsearingthroughhisvoice.“Thatfine,responsible

youngman?Ican’timagineamoreunlikelyscenario.”

Verucaonlygrumbled,knowinghewasteasing,butalsobeingremindedthather

reputationsinceshe’dtakenupwithFinnhadbeenslightlychanged.Itwasn’tentirelyfor
theworse,ofcourse.TherewerethosewhowereawareofFinn’stroublesstayingsafe,but
atleastthey’dalsoheardofVeruca’stenacityandruthlessnessingettinghimback.

“It’snotreallyhisfaultthistime,”shesaidafteramoment,knowingthatmaynot

evenbecompletelytrue.WhocouldknowwhatFinnhadsaidtoattracttheattentionof
demonworshippersinasmalltown?“Westoppedforsnacks,andFinndisappearedwhile
Iwasinthestore.Itrackedhimacrossaparkandfoundhimbeingtiedupandstuffedinto
thebackofsomeminivan.”

“Fatherofapastconquestcaughtuptohim?”Belialasked,asmirkinhistone.

“Demonworshippersinterestedinhumansacrifice.”

“Dependingonthefather,thesituationscouldbeverysimilar.”

Verucasighedagain,leaningherheadbackagainsttheseat.“Noone’sbeenatthe

house—Itrackedthevantoitsowner—forsometime,andIfoundnosignofwhere
they’vegoneto,butmyguessissomewherenoonewillnoticecandles,blackrobes,
screaming,andchanting.I’mhopingyoucanputmeintouchwiththedemon.”

“Hopingtoturnthetablesonthekidnappers?”

“No,IcantrackFinnonmyown,butonceIgetthereitwouldbenicetohave

someonemoreimpressivethanItoexplaintothem—howeverharshlyisnecessary—that
demonworshippingisnosummerhobby.”

“Youdon’twanttocallthepolice?Theywon’tbelievethedemonpart,buttheycan

makesureanyoneinvolvedistoobusyholdingtighttothesoapintheshowertodoany
summoningorsacrificing.”

“Finnhasn’tbeengoneformorethananhour,soIcan’treporthimmissing.And

evenifIsaidIwitnessedhimbeingtaken,I’dhaveahardtimeexplaininghowtoknow
wheretofindhim.Scarydemonwithscarypowerswouldbealittlemoreimmediately
effective,don’tyouthink?”

“True.Didyoucatchanameforwhichdemonyouneedtoborrow?”

“Idid,thoughit’snotsomeoneI’veheardof.Icanassumefromthenameit’san

olderone,hopefullyonefromyourearlydays?”

“Doyourbestwiththepronunciation.I’msureIcanworkitout.”

“Kikimoya?”Verucasaid,hazardingaguessbasedonthephoneticwayshe’dseen

writtenonafewofthepagesscatteredaboutthediningroomtable.

“That’s…correct,”Belialsaid,hesitationinhistone.Veruca’sheartseizedabit.

“Why?What’s—thescribblednotessaidthecreatureisrelatedtowealthand

prosperity.”

“Notexactly,”Belialsaid,beforebreakingoutintoquietlaughter.“Kikimoyais…

ah,she’sassociatedwithdough,butnotthekindI’massumingyourwaywardkidnappers
arethinking.She’susuallycalledintobrokerdealsassociatedwithhomeandfamilylife,
butoftenshewasbroughtintohelpwithsustenanceinthepast.Thingsassociatedwith
thehearth,bakingbread,canning—thecomfortofhavingfoodwasabigissueonceupon
atime,asI’msureyoucanimagine.”

“SoFinn’sbeenkidnappedinthepursuitoftheperfectoatmealchocolatechip

cookie?”Verucabalked.

Belialchuckled.

“Well…Idoubttheyrealizedthat’swhothey’reaimingtoimpress.It’slikelythe

prosperitypartthey’velatchedonto.Dependingonwherethey’regettingtheir
information,whoknowswhat’sbeentranslatedorpassedaroundbywordofmouth.She
dealswithmoremodernhomeissuesthesedays.Outofcontrolfamilylife?Kikicanfix
that,foraprice.Look,she’snotusuallybusy.I’llhavehermeetyou,justtellmewhere
andwhen.”

“Howthehelldidtheseidiotsget—nevermind.”Verucasighed,pinchingthebridge

ofhernose.“Finn’saboutanhourawayfromme.I’llgetanexactlocationandpassit
along.Sorrytohavetobotheryouwiththis.”

“Notatall,”Belialsaid.“Attheveryleastyouandyourmanareaconstantsource

ofentertainment.”

****

KikiwaswaitingwhereVerucahadspecified,thoughshedoubtedanyoneelse

pullinguptoparkalongthesideoftheroadknewtherewasaneight-foottalldemonin
darkrobeswaitinginthewaningsunlight.Shewasanimpressivesight,evenwithout
takingintoaccounttheheight,andVerucacouldseethatshehadn’tbotheredtomodernize
herlookatall,eventhoughsheprobablycouldhave.

SomeofthedemonsVerucahaddealtwithhadbeenmadebyBelialhimself,

blessedwithpowersasmerefaespawn,humansbornwithsomesortofmagicandlater
invitedintothefold.OthersseemedtobeasoldasHellitself,inhumanastheycame,
usuallylackinginsocialgracesandinsistingondifficulttasksandintensevettingbeforea
humanwasallowedtostandintheirpresence.

Kikilookedtobethelatter,Verucathoughtassheclimbedoutofthecar.

Herformwasfeminine,inasmuchasascarecrow’sbodycouldhavegender.Her

skinwasrough,likehaybundledintotheshapeofawoman,withalongbeakofaface
andnarrowslitsforeyesatthesidesofherhead.Therobessheworewereheavy,buttied
tightlybyasimpleropeatherwaist,andrevealedbird-liketalonsforfeet.

ShecrossedthedirttoVeruca,noddinghelloandspeakingthroughherbundled-

strawbeak.

“Goodday.Belialsaidyou’verequestedmyhelpwithsomefollowers.”Hervoice

waspleasant,deepbutstillwomanly.

“Yes,haveyoufelttheircallatall?Supposedlytheybelieveyourequiresomesort

ofsacrificetobesummoned.”

Kikiwavedhermonstroushanddismissively.“Nosuchprecautionsareinplace.My

reputationismishandledthroughmuchofthehumanworld,thoughIadmitsomeofthatis
myowndesign.Now,you’vesaidyouhaveanunderlingindanger?”

“Yes—well,notanunderling.Mylover,Finn.They—Ibelieve,accordingtothe

literaturespreadaroundthehomeofthepersonresponsiblefortakinghim—intendto
sacrificehiminyourhonor.”

“Unnecessary,thoughIcanadmiretheeffortinvolved.Shallwebeonourway?”

“Yes.They’renottoodeepintothewoods.”

“Please,Iwillfollow.”

Perhapsbeingtrailedthroughthecrowdedforestinfallingduskbyamonstrous

demonwouldbeconsidereduncomfortabletosome,butVerucahadbeeninmuchstranger
situations.Theymovedeasily,despitetheterrain,andVerucafoundshewasgladshe’d
pulledupherthick,darkhairandchangedoutofherrevealingsundressandinto
somethingpractical.Finnwouldstillbeinloosepantsandat-shirt,butshehadhope
they’dhavebeenstainedbynothingmoredirethandirtandforestgrime.

SohelpthepeoplewhoaimedtomakeFinnbleed,Verucathought,feelingher

insidesgohotatthemereidea.

“They’reclose,”Verucasaid,pointinginthedirectionshecouldsensethegroup.

Finnwasabeaconamongtheothersouls,hisashimmeringgoldnetwoventightlyaround

hisheart.Allbutoneoftheotherslackedthevibrancyofhisessence,notonlybecauseof
theirdistancefromVerucabutbecausetheyhadeachmadesuchpoorchoicesinlife.
Manythingscouldstainasoul,butinVeruca’sexperience,nothingdidsofasterthana
lackofcompassionandeagerdecisionstotreatotherspoorly.

Fromthelookofthesepeople,they’dbeenabundleofbadchoicesandrude

comments.

“Yes,Ispythem.Howshallweproceed?”Kikiasked.Verucaconsideredher

options.

“Canyouseewhatthey’redoing?Icanseetheirsouls,butnottheirexactactions.Is

Finnhurt?”

“Hedoesnotappearso.They’vetiedhimtoatreeandstrippedhimnaked.Hedoes

notlookdistressed.”

“No,Finn’srarelybotheredbybeingnaked.”Verucasighed,shakingherhead.Even

inthedarkeningeveningandboundtoscratchybark,Finnwouldchoosetolookonthe
brightsideofthesituation.Consideringhewassurroundedbyagaggleofwomenwith
nameslikeKarenandCynthiawhorangedinagefromthirty-seventoforty-nine,hisown
exposedgenitalswouldbethelastthinghewasworriedabout.

Thefirstthinghewasthinkingabout,butthelastthinghewasworriedabout.

****

Finnhadnoideawhatwasgoingon,butthathadn’tstoppedhimfromenjoying

himself.

Theafternoonhadstartedoffwell,withanaimlessdrivealongsidetheloveofhis

lifeandthepromiseofadventureandeventuallycuddlesatsomeunknownB&B.Even
whenhe’dbeenwaitingpatientlyinthecarforVerucatobringbacksnacksandhe’d
spottedanolderladylookinglostattheendoftheblockhismoodhadn’tdipped.Aiming
tohelpher,he’dgottenout,joggedover,andofferedhisservicesalongwithagenerous
doseofhisbottomlesscharm.

She’dbeensopleasedatthesightofhim—notanunusualreaction,inFinn’s

experience—thatshe’dpracticallyfawnedathiseagernesstohelplookforherlittledog,
Data.Datawasapuppy,she’dsaid,easilydistracted,excitableascouldbeandbarelybig
enoughtoproperlyfithiscollar.Itwasn’tthefirsttimeshe’dbeenleftholdinganempty
lead,searchingforherlittlefriendandhopingadashingstrangerwouldstepin.

They’dgonethroughthepark,chattingalltheway,andFinnhadkeptabeadon

Veruca’sessence,thetugofitinhisheartandtheglowofitbehindhiseyes.Sensingsouls
wasanentirelynewsensationtohim,oneheprobablywouldn’thavebeencomfortable
withifithadn’tspecificallybeenVeruca’ssoulboundtohis.

Hecouldn’tsenseherfeelingsormoodoranythinglikeheknewsomespecial

peoplewithbitsoffairybloodcoulddo,buthecouldtellhowshemovedandifshe’d
startedrunningoractingerratic.He’dhaveknownshewasworriedforhimandgoneback
toassureherhewassafe.

Heandthewoman—Gloria,she’dsaidhernamewas—hadendedupattheopposite

endofthesun-dappledpark,entirelyatalossastoData’slocation,butstillhappily
chattingaboutthisandthat.Gloriahadstoppedthembothattheedgeofacrosswalk,
regalinghimwithtalesofhowshe’dcometoadoptData,howshehadplanstoteachhim
allsortsoffuntricks,andFinnhadmostlybeenpayingattention.

Verucawasclosinginonhimnow,he’drealized,curiosityandalittlebitofworry

edginginonhishappymoodwhenherspeedhadincreasedandshe’dstartedjogging.
He’dspottedherjustbeforedarknesshaddescended,handshadgrippedhim,andhe’d
beendraggedintothebackofacozycaranddrivenawayfromhisloveatanunreasonable
speedandalonganunpredictablecourse.

Still,manyturns,slows,andstopslater,hecouldhearonlythevoicesofwomen

aroundhim.Usually,Finnknewladieslikethebackofhishand.Iftherewasanythinghe
couldtalkhimselfoutof—orinto,heknewfromexperience—itwasthearmsofadozen
womenatonce.

They’dshushedhimonthedrive,though,ignoringhisquestionsandposingsomeof

theirown.

“Doyouthinkshesawmyface?”

“Doyouthinksheknewhim?”

“Doyouthinkshecaughtthelicenseplate?”

“Doyouthinkwecanstopforsomethingtoeat?”

“Can’tyoushutupaboutfoodfor,like,tenminutes,Linda?”

FinnfeltsortofbadforLinda,andnotonlyjustbecausehisownstomachwas

growling.Verucahadstoppedforsnacksforareason,afterall.Neitherofthemhadeaten
sincebreakfast.

Unknowndestinationaside,thedrivewasmostlypleasant,ifFinndidn’tthinktoo

hardonthefactthathe’dendedupboundandcrampedandunabletogetawordin
edgewise.They’dtraveledforalongwhile,andFinnhadpassedthelastchunkofthetime
insilence,judgingthesituationbytheidlechatterofhiscaptors.Theydidn’tsoundlike
maniacsormurderers.CynthiaandFabiweretalkingabouttheirkids,Lindahadgottena
packofsomecrunchysnackthathadeasedhergrumpiness,andKarenspentmostofthe
drivehummingalongtotheOldiesstation,atleastuntilthesignalbadgonebadand
they’dturneditoff.

Great,Finnthoughtastheyroadhadchangedfromsmoothcementtopinging

gravel.NowIcan’tget“LovePotionno.9”outofmyhead.

Oncethey’dhauledhimoutofthecarandcollectivelydraggedhimthroughpine-

scentedunderbrushanddirt,thingshadimproved.Sure,they’dtiedhimtoatreeandcut
offhisclothes,buthecouldn’tblamethemforthat.Finnknewhewasafinespecimen,
andplentyofpeoplehadeagerlygonetogreatlengthstogethimnaked.

Thetreepartconfusedhim,butthey’dbeenveryniceoncethey’dtakeoffthehood,

offeringhimfreshfruitsandcooingoverhisperfection.Oneofthem—Finncouldn’tbe

surebehindthepapiermâchémaskstheywerewearing,butitsoundedlikeCynthia—had
evengivenhimalovelyspongebath,payingspecialattentiontocertainveryenjoyable
partsofhim.ThenKarenhadscoldedherforherdedicationtocleanliness,andshe’d
hurriedtofinish.

Finnhadtriedtoexplaintothemboththattheywereallwelcometocleanhim,that

hecouldbeaverydirtyboyafterall,butKarenwasn’tswayed.

Allthewhile,Verucahadbeenmakingherwaycloser,thoughshe’dstalledonceor

twice.Finnreasonedthatshewasprobablygatheringweaponsoranarmyorsomethingto
makesureshewasfullyreadytotakeonwhateversituationshemightfindhimin.He
understoodherworry,ofcourse.Hispasthadcaughtupwiththembothtwice,andVeruca
wasnothingifnotsmartenoughtolearnfrommistakes,eveniftheywereFinn’sandnot
herown.

Hehopedshedidn’tbustingunsblazing,sinceitsoundedlikethesewomenwere

strangebutnotterriblydangerous.Lindawasexpecting,itturnedout,andseemedthe
mostnervousaboutthewholeordeal.Karenappearedtobeincharge,thoughtsheand
Fabihadclashedafewtimesonwhetheranactualhierarchyhadbeendecided.Theywere
doingthiscollectively,afterall,andnoonewasgettingmoreoutofitthananyoneelse.

EvenifKarenhadsnidelypointedoutthatitwashervanandherlifeonthelineif

theywerecaught.

Caughtdoingwhat,Finnwasn’tsure,butthey’dgaggedhimasVerucahadslowed

fromadrivingspeedtoawalkingspeedandthenpausedforafewminutes.Hecould
probablypersuadehernottopresschargesifhe’djustbegiventhechancetotalktoher
onceshegotcloseenough.Hehadn’tbeenhurt,really,andCynthia’sspongebathhad
beenatreat.

Evenbeingtiedupdidn’tbotherhim.Finnratherlikedbeingtiedup,especially

whennakedandsurroundedbywomen.

“Yougotthegobletandtheathame?”Karenasked,pullingFinn’sattentionaway

fromVeruca’sapproach.Heknewthatword,hethought,buthecouldn’tplaceit.Goblet
wasano-brainer.HewasIrish,afterall,andknewgobletswerewhatwinewas
occasionallysippedfrom.Athame,however,wasawordhecouldn’tgetahandleon.
Familiar,butnotquiteclearinhismind’seye.Probablysomethingrelatedtothegoblet,he
reasoned,hopingitwasabrandofliquorhe’dheardofonceorindulgedintothepointof
forgetting.

That’dbenice,hethought,consideringthecoolingtemperaturesandthefactthatthe

sunwasbeingblockedoutbythefallingnightandtheswayingtrees.Itwasn’tyetchilly
enoughfortheretobeanyshrinkagetoworryabout,butalittlenipofsomebourbonor
whiskeywouldhelphismoodinanycase.

Whenhesawtheknife,hejolted,rememberingwhatathamewasandrealizingthat

therewouldbenogobletofferedup,nowinepassinghislips.

****

VerucawatchedKikiclosein,impressedbythewayshemovedthroughtheforest

withoutseemingtodisturbit.Shewascorporeal,hadanactualforminthehumanworld,
andyetsheseemedtodematerializeratherthanactuallybumpingaleafordisplacingthe
dirt.Therewasaneasetohermovementthatwaslessphysicalandmoreattitudeaswell,
thoughVerucahadlearnedthatcamewiththeconfidenceofbeingapowerfuldemon.

Nighthaddescendedfurther,whichmadeKiki’sapproachlessnoticeabletothe

gaggleofwomengroupednervouslyaroundFinnwiththeirbackstothefire.Theystood
inahalfcircle,holdinghandsandchanting.ToVerucaitsoundedlikenonsense,butshe
wasfarenoughawaythatevenifhadbeensomeproperlanguage,shelikelywouldn’t
havebeenabletorecognizemuchofit.

Thedemonapproachedfromtheoppositesideofthefire,stoppingattheedgeofit,

closeenoughthatanymortalwouldhavebeenforcedtoworryaboutherrobesbeing
chewedintoash.

Finnnoticedherfirst,hispaleblueeyeswide,themusclesalonghisswimmer’s-

buildbodytensingvisiblyeveninthelowlight.

“Uh,ladies,”Finnsaid,loudenoughthatVerucacouldhearhimfromherposition.

Takingthatashercue,shepushedupfromherspotcrouchedinthebrushandheaded
aroundtheedgeoftheclearingthewould-becovenhadclaimed,aimingtocutFinndown
whileKikidealtwithherflummoxedfollowers.

Therewouldbenobloodshed,asfarasVerucahadsuggested,butshecouldsee

enoughdarknesstaintingthesoulsofthewomenthatshewouldn’thavemindedifKiki
felttheneedtodefendherselforevenpropositionsomeofthewomenintosigningover
theirsoulsforwhateveritwasshecouldoffer.MaybeVerucawouldendupseeingmany
oftheladiesagaininafewyears,whentheircontractswereupanditwastimetocollect
theirsouls.

ScreamsandyelpsfilledtheinkyeveningasthewomenturnedandfoundKiki

toweringmenacinglyovertheirfire.Sheliftedonearmslowly,curlingherfingersloosely
untilshewaspointingatthegroup,stilleerilysilent.Oneofthewomen,theonewhose
soulwasnotonlypure,butalsojoinedathermiddlebythenewlyformedessenceofa
fetus,stumbledbackfromtheothers,whimperingtwice,beforeturningandcowering
behindalowpileofbagsandclothing.

“Whatthehell?”awomannamedFabicried,startingachorusofquestions

dominatedbyfearbutpiercedhereandtherebyoutrage.Verucaletthemchatternervously
asKikicontinuedtopointratherthanexplainherpresence.BythetimeVerucagottoFinn
thequiethadtakenoveragain,andshewasforcedtoholdherswitchbladeclosesothe
sniktofitunfoldingwouldn’talertthewomentoherpresence.

“Mylove,”Finnwhispered,justthissideofquietly.“Imissedyou.”

“Shh,”Verucawarned,crouchingtoworkattheropethatheldbothhisanklesin

placeatthebaseofthetrunk.

“Iknewyou’dcomeforme,”Finnsaid,failingonceagaintowhisperproperly.Two

ofthewomenturned,distractedfromKiki’spresencebyFinn’sinabilitytobestealthy.

“Hey!”Juliewhined.“They’retryingtotakethesacrifice!”

“Sacrifice?”Finncried,nearlydrownedoutbyKaren’sprotest.Shelaunchedherself

forward,producingabladeofherownfromsomewhereinherrobes,runningfull-tilt
towardKiki.Rollinghereyes,Verucaletthewomanbe,stillfocusedonrescuingFinn,
thoughshecouldhearLindamumblingtoherselfindisbelief,offtotheright.

“Careful,”Finnwarned,callingherattentiontoJulieclosinginandgivingVeruca

enoughtimetorolloutofthewayoftheawkwardkickaimedatherface.Hertraining
tookover,lettingherhoptoherfeetbeforetheunskilledhousewifehadevenrealizedher
kickhadcompletelymissed.Holdinghershortbladeout,Verucabaredherteeth,darting
forwardandswipingloosely.Shedidn’twanttodoanytrueharm,butherexperiencehad
taughtherthatusuallyregularpeoplewouldreacttoaswiftattackbysimplyrunningoff
ratherthanretaliating.

Julieonlyscoffed,havingproducedabladeofherownfromsomewhere.Veruca

dodged,forcedtoevadeasabasicsteakknifearcedthroughtheairclumsilyinfrontof
herface.ThefactthatthewomanhadreactedtoVeruca’sattackswithsuchrageshould
havebeensurprising,butthedarknessofhersoul—andthefactthatshe’dknowingly
signedupforhumansacrifice—letVerucaknowJuliewasfarfromregular.

Thescenefurtherintotheclearingwasjustaschaotic,Kikidodgingtherestofthe

covenastheywentatherwithkitchentoolsoftheirown.Manyhadbroughtknivesin
variousshapesandsizes,butFabihadthoughtsomethingblunterwoulddothejoband
wasswingingaheavymeattenderizerruthlesslytowardKiki’smid-section.Shewastoo
shorttododamagemuchfurtherup.

Stilldodging,VerucawatchedJulie’smovements,hopingforsomesortofopening,

butcertainthatpatienceandcautionwouldserveherbetterthanjumpinginandtryingto
getunderthewoman’snon-existentguard.ItwasprobablythefirsttimeJuliehadever
properlyfoughtanyone,butVerucaknewthatblindconfidencewithabladecouldstilldo
afairamountofdamage.

Sureshecouldseethegirltiringandlosingherbalance,Verucaleanedleft,aiming

tocrouchdownandunderaswipebeforecomingupandsockingherfiststraightinto
Julie’snose.Thegirlstumbledandgotlucky,however,andVerucafelttheserratededge
sliceintothebackofherforearm,burningasbloodspurted.

“Coñodemadre,”shespat.Shehadn’tgrownupinVenezuela,butherparentshad,

allthewayuntilBelialhadpluckedthewholefamilyoutoftheunstablecountryand
ploppedthemintonewidentitiesintheStates.Verucahadpickeduponsomeoftheirless
thansavoryterms,eventhoughsheknewtheyprobablyhadn’tmeanttoimpartthose
particularpocketsoftheSpanishlanguage.

Continuingherassault,nowfueledbypainaswellasfrustrationandworryforFinn,

Verucadroveforward,kickingherlegoutandrightintoJulie’sstomach.Thehousewife
grunted,losingherfootingandholdofherknife.Followingthrough,Verucashifted
enoughtodowhatshe’dbeentryingtodobeforebeingslicedopen.Juliefelltoherface
inthedirt,stunnedfromthepunch,ifnotcompletelyknockedout.

Leavingherinjuryunchecked,VerucarushedbacktoFinn,knowingsheonlyhad

anothermomentortwoofworktogethislegsfree.

“Veruca?”Finndemanded,worried,hisheadswivelingbackandforthashetriedto

seearoundthetreetomakesureshewasokay.

“I’mfine,”shesaid,hopinghedidn’tworryaboutthepantingedgetohervoice.It

wasonlypartlyfromtheeffortoffightingthegirl,andmostlyfromoutrageatthe
situation.

“Isyourfriendokay?”Finnasked,beforesighingwithreliefwhenhisankleswere

unbound.

“I’msureshe’sfine,”Verucasaid,sparingaglanceforthedemonasshewentto

workontheropeholdingFinn’smidsectionagainsttheroughbark.

“She’sgotaboutthreeknivesstickingoutofher.Areyousure?”

“She’sademon,darling.”

“Oh,rightthen.”

Sawingasquicklyasshecould,Verucalookedupfromthefrayingnylonto

examinehowKikiwashandlingtheclumsycoven.Sureenough,she’dbeenpenetrated
thrice:inthethigh,abdomen,and,perplexingly,theleftfoot.Thewomenhadn’tgivenup,
though,stillswipingwiththeirremainingweapons,evenifthoseweaponswerejustfists
andfeet.

WhenoneofthewomenturnedandnoticedthatVerucahadsucceededincutting

downtheropethatwaschafingFinn’sbelly,sheshrieked,rippedoffhermask,and
charged.Verucaswore,poisedinaninstanttotakeFabi’sassaultheadon,dodgingthe
malletaimedsquarelyforherface,butonlybarely.

“Reaper,”Kikicalledout,agrowloffrustrationedginghertone.“Yoursuggestion

thatIavoidharmismostvexatious.”

“Fuckit,”Verucacalledback,cryingoutwhentheroughsideofthetenderizer

lickedbyherfaceandscrapeddownagainsthercollarbone.Thepainwasintense,almost
asbadashavingherforearmslicedopen,andshewonderediftheweightofthething
alonehadfracturedherclavicle.Ragesearedthroughhermindand,withoutthinking,she
jerkedforward,flippedthegriponthebladeinheronefullyuseablehand,andstabbedit
rightintoherattacker’sshoulder.Fabiyowled,droppingtheweaponasaspasmrandown
toherfingertips.

Verucawatchedhercollapsetotheground,bleedingintothedirt.

“Dowhatyouhavetodo,”VerucacalledouttoKiki,onceshewassureFabiwas

downforthecount,heronegoodarmruinedbythebladeembeddedinherflesh.

Kikiwastednotime,thoughsheignoredthewomenstillattackingherandfocused

hermagicontheonecovenmemberwho’djustsplitofftorunyowlingtowardVerucaand
Finn.

MomentsbeforeTamaracouldattackVeruca,thewomanseized,crumplingtothe

groundasifshe’dmerelytrippedandlostherbalance.Startledbytheappearanceofa
corpsewithamysteriouslybrokenneck,Fabiscreechedandtriedtoshuffleawkwardlyin
theotherdirection.Verucasneered,pointinglooselywithherinjuredarm.

“Ijustwantedmyboyfriendbackandnowlookwhatyou’vedone.Youlunatics.”

****

Finnwaswiggling,thoughhedidn’treallymeantobe.Thesituationhadgonefrom

confusingtoterrifying,andhecouldn’tcontrolhimself.Verucahadcometosavehimand
hehadeveryconfidenceshewouldsucceed,butthedemonacrosstheclearingdidn’tseem
tobefaringsowellandFinnwasprettysurehe’dspiedblooddrippingdownVeruca’sarm
whenshe’dmovedtostartcuttingthroughtheropeathisrightwrist.

Furthermore,somethinghadchangedattheedgeofhisperception,andhewasn’t

entirelysurewhatitwas,eventhoughitfeltthrillinglyfamiliar.

Finnhadonlytrulydiscoveredhisnecromancywhenhe’dmetVerucaandshe’dput

himunderthetutelageofademonwho’daimedtowhiphimintoshape.Priortothat,his
powertoraisethedeadhadbeenascaryaccidentthathe’drunfromineveryway,shape,
andform.Sincetrainingandlearningtobetterharnesstheability,though,he’dgottento
recognizethedelicateinsandouts.

Whenhefelttheslitherofhismagicperkup,itconfusedhim.Heknewthefeeling

ofbloodondeadflesh,knewtheimpatiencetomeanthat,shouldhechoose,hecouldsend
hisnecromancyforthandraiseazombie.Whatconfusedhim,however,wasthefactthat
hewasn’tbleeding.Neverbeforehadthetouchofsomeoneelse’sbloodconnectedhimto
acorpse.

Though,hereasonedasVerucafreedhisrighthandandwenttoworkonhisleft,

neverbeforehadaportionofhissoulbeensewnwithloveintotheheartofanother.

Thecovensplitagain,twoofthemnoticingFinnwasnearlyfreeandbreakingoff

fromtheirattackonthedemon.Itwasjustintime,too,thoughhewassuretheyhadn’t
realizedthatbyrunningthey’dnarrowlyavoidedadangerousattack.Thecreature,which
lookedlikesomesortofsexy,bird-facedscarecrow,sweptherroughandrobedarms
towardthefireattheirfeetandmadeitexplodeoutwardinascaldingrush.

Finndidn’twaitforthetwowho’descapedtogetanycloserbeforelettinghiseager

andimpatientmagicrunfree.

Thezombiewasonherfeetinaninstant,quickerthanFinnhadeverraisedacorpse

before.Seeingthroughtheeyesofanotheralwaysthrewhimoffforasecondatfirst,but
hedidn’tpausetocatchhisbearingsbeforedirectingherwithaflickofhisfingersto
circlethetreehewastiedtoandputherselfbetweenVerucaandtheincomingwomen.

“OhmyGod!”oneoftheladiesyelped,skiddingtoastop.Theother—Gretchen,

Finnwasprettysure—didn’tstop,buthe’dassumedfromthedeterminationinher
stompingthatshewastoofargonetocarethatherfriend’sheadwasbentatarightangle.

Hiszombie’sattackswereclumsy,butluckilysowereGretchen’s.Thelivingand

thedeadstruggled,hitting,failingtoblock,stumblingwhenapunchlandedanywhere
delicate.Finncouldn’tfeelpain,butitwasstilldisorientingtowatchthroughazombie’s
eyesasknucklesflewathisface—especiallywhentheviewhegotofitallwassideways
andwobbly.

“Theknife,darling,”Verucainsisted,remindinghimthattherewasaweaponwithin

reach.Luckilyforhisdelicatestomach,Fabihadalreadypulledthethingoutofher
shoulder—apoorchoiceonherpart,judgingbythefreshflowofbloodshewasfailingto
staunch.

Finndidn’twanttohurtGretchen,butshewasprovingmuchmoredangerousthat

he’danticipated.She’dmanagedtoembedherownbladeinthezombie’schest,pinning
itshandtoitsbreastandrenderingituseless.Certainthezombiewasnolongerathreat,
GretchenturnedherattentiontoVeruca,who’dhunkereddownagaintoworkonFinn’s
ropesanddidn’tseemtohavenoticedthatGretchenwaseyeballingher.

“Bollix,”Finngrumbled,throwinghiszombietothesideandscrabblingforthe

bloodyweapon.Allthingsconsidered,Finncouldsussoutwhatthelesseroftwoevils
wouldbe,anditwasn’ttolettheloveofhislifegetbeatensenselessbysometwit.Some
twitinbaggyrobeswho’dmadefunofpoorLindawhenshe’dfinishedthesnacksshe’d
beengivenandhopedwistfullyformore.

Gretchenavoidedthezombie’sattack,butonlybyahair,andFinnfelttheknifeget

caughtontheedgeofherrobe.BothGretchenandthezombiestruggled,focusingfora
fewmomentsongettingtheknifefree.Realizingitwasafutileeffort,Finnletthethinggo
andflungthezombieforward,tacklingGretchentothegroundandpressingacooling
handtoherthroat,figuringhecouldpinherdownandkeepherfromdoinganymore
harm.

“There,”VerucasaidasFinnfeltthelastofhisbondsbreak.“Let’sgo.”

“Butyourfriend,”Finnargued,beforestumblingabitashisnecromancyseemedto

tearoutofhischestandrushforwardintotheheartsofthefreshcorpsesspreadaroundthe
fire.“Whoa.”

“Darling?”Verucaasked,clingingtohim,obviouslyworriedthatheseemedtobe

losinghisfooting.“Areyouokay?”

“Just—corpses,”hemumbled,shakinghisheadandhopinghecouldpullhismagic

backfromthechestsofthebodiesitsodesperatelywantedtocontrol.Necromancywasan
excitablemagic,whichshouldn’thavesurprisedFinn,givenhowexcitablehewas
himself.He,too,likedtoslipinsidethebodiesofothersandenjoyhimself.

“Ifeelthem,”Verucasaid,rubbinghisback.“Butyoudon’tneedtoraisethem.

Kiki’sgottherestoftheseputashandled.”

“Language,mylove,”Finnmumbled,throwingheragrinandawink,ignoringfor

themomentthefactthatshewasfavoringherleftside.Shechuckled,leadinghimaway
fromthefrayasheconcentratedoncorrallinghispower.Thezombiewasstillthrottling
Gretchen,buthewasgoingtoleavehertothatforawhile,notwantingtoriskthegirl
gettingup.

Theotherwomanwho’drushedthem,ayounger-soundingwomanFinncouldn’t

identify,wasnothreatasshestoodstiffly,repeating,“ohmyGod,”atthesightatherfeet.
Servedherright,Finnfigured.Whatsortofapersonjoinsacovenandtriestostaba
haplessbystander?

Otherthanherhorrifiedwhispering,thenighthadfallensilent,Finnrealized.Justas

quicklyasthewomenhadstartedscreamingandswearing,they’dgonequiet.Formanyof
them,thereasonwasobvious,buttherestdidn’tseemdead,justinjured.Ashetwistedto
surveythedamagedone,heheardKarenmoanandwhimper.Shewascurledinaball,
handspressedtoherbelly,herexposedskinlookinggruesomeinthefirelight.

“Hearthis,humans,”Kikiannounced,hervoiceboomingandmakingFinnyelp.

“Yourattemptsatsummoningmewereapatheticfailure.Shouldyouattemptanysuch
actionsagain,thoseofyouwhohavesurvivedwillgreatlyregretevertryingtosacrifice
anotherlivingbeing.”

“Sacrifice?”

Finnwhippedaroundatthecryofshock,tryingtofigureoutwhereithadcome

from.

“Yes,human,”Kikiboomed,focusingonthedarknessbeyondwhereFinnhadbeen

bound.“Sacrifice.”

“Theyweregoingtosacrificesomeone?”

VerucapattedFinnontheshoulder,steppingawayfromhimandtowardapatchof

bushesnearalargerock.Reachingherhandout,shewiggledherfingers.

“Comeon,getup.”

Hesitantly,ahandcameup,takingVeruca’sofferandgruntingasshegottoherfeet.

Hermaskhadgottenknockedoffatsomepoint,andFinnwaspleasantlysurprisedtosee
thatLindalookedjustashe’dfiguredfromhervoice:alittleplump,blonde,and,forthe
momentatleast,terrified.

“Ididn’tknowtheyweregoingtosacrificesomeone!”sheinsisted,holdingher

handsoutasifwardingoffanattack.Verucajuststoodclosetoher,watchingherintently,
beforeturningtoKiki.

“Hersoulispure.Ihavenoreasontodoubther.”

“Ididn’tknow!”sherepeated,lookingfranticallyaroundtheclearing,before

pointingtoKaren.“ShesaidshewassummoningKikimoya!Nothingaboutkilling
anyone.”

“Theydidn’tgiveyouarundownoranything?Justdraggedyoutotheforestand

expectedyou’dbeokaywithmurder?”Finnasked,notsurehecouldbeastrustingas
Veruca.HelikedLinda,butsuddenlyknowingthatshe’dbeenpallingaroundwithwomen
who’dbeentryingtoeighty-sixhimmadehimdoubttheopinionofherhe’doriginally
formed.

“Yes!Iswear,theydidn’ttellme.Iheardaboutitthroughafriendofafriend—that

sortofthing.ImetKarenandtoldherIwasinterestedinwhattheyweredoing.”

“Insacrificingme?”Finndemanded,suddenlywishinghe’dsethiszombieonheras

wellasGretchen.

“Definitelynot!Theyneededathirteenthfortheritual—notthatIknewwhatthey

weredoing.Imean,Karentoldmetheywereinabindandthattheyneededsomeoneelse
tohelpsummonKikimoya,butsacrifice?Noway!Ifiguredwe’ddancenakedinthe

woods,maybeeatsomeblessedbreadandchant.Iwasjuststartingtofiguresomething
mightbewrongwhenyoushowedup.Youhavetobelieveme!”

“IamKikimoya,”Kikisaid,movingcloser,glidingthroughthedirtandoverthe

bodiesofthewomenshekilled.Finnsquintedinthedark,wonderingwhyitlookedas
thoughshe’dpassedthroughthemratherthanstepover.“Youhopedtostandinmy
presence?”

“Yes,”Lindasaid,beforewincing.“Ithink.You’re…notexactlywhatIthought

you’dbe.”

“Whatdidyouthinkshe’dbe?”Verucaasked,atouchofamusementinhertone.

FinnshuffledclosertoherasKikiapproached.Hewassurethedemonwouldn’thurthim,
butshewasimposing,especiallywiththefireatherback,herfaceobscuredbynight,and
theknivesstickingoutatallangles.HewassureLindawouldcaveatthesightofherand
tellthetruth,ifshehadn’talready.Finncouldrelatetoherstory,though.He’dbeenfooled
intogoingalongwithallmannerofcrazyschemesjustbyfailingtoasktherightquestions
oftherightpeoplehimself.

“Idid—Iwas—um.Istudiedmythologyincollege?”Lindaswallowed,hergaze

gluedtoKikiasthedemoncametoastopwithinarm’sreach.“Andyou’re—well,I’m
pregnant.Myfirst.She’s—it’sagirl.Ihoped—Imean,Iheardyoucanbe—thatis,Iwant
tomakesureshe’shealthy,thatshegrowsupwell.Theyweretalkingaboutprosperity.”

“Yourassumptionswerecorrect.Ihavepoweroverthehomeandhearth.Perhaps

youwouldliketodiscusswhatIcandoforyou?”Kikisaid,beforeloweringgazeto
Linda’sbelly.“Orrather,fortheunbornbabe.Sheseemstohavesomesortofbirthdefect,
yes?Aheartmurmur?Somethingsominorisabsolutelywithinmypurviewtofix.Fora
price.”

Finncouldn’tbesure,sinceshedidn’treallyhaveahumanmouthandall,butshe

soundedpleased.

“Fix?What—youcandothat?”Lindasqueaked,herhandsclutchingherbelly.

Verucapattedhershoulder,butbeforetheycouldspeak,agurglingsoundpulledtheir
attentiontotheleft.Finnrealizedhe’dlefthiscorpsewithherhandaroundGretchen’s
throatandshehadgottenalittleoverzealous.

“Oops,”hemumbled,shakinghisheadandpullingthezombieupandoff.Gretchen

coughed,moaned,androlledontoherside,thefightgoneoutofher.Figuringhiswork
wasdone,Finntookadeepbreath,focusedallhismightonhismagic,andpulleditoutof
thebody.Itcrumpledtotheground,makingLindayipinshock.

“Come,”Kikisaid,holdinghermassivehandouttothemother-to-be.“Letustake

ourleaveofthisunpleasantsceneanddiscussthehealthofyourfamily.”

“Idon’treally—”Lindasqueaked,refusingtotakethedemon’shand.Swallowing

hard,sheshookherhead,atalossforwords.

“Wecaneitherleaveyouherewithyourfriends,oryoucangowithKikimoya,”

Verucasaid,beforeshruggingonce.“Iguaranteetheywon’tbegivingyouaridehome,
however.I’veslashedKaren’stires.Andshe’sinnoshapetodrive.”

“Ican’tgowithyou?”Lindaasked,hereyesstrayingtoVeruca’sbloodyarm.“Or

…well…”

“Ipromisenoharmwillcometoyou,”Kikisaidquietly.Finncouldn’ttrulybesure

shewastellingthetruth,buthebelievedher.Shedidn’tseemallbad,evenconsidering
thatshe’dburnedseveralwomentodeathandknockedothersoutwithhergiant,awkward
fists.

“Idon’t…Imean…amIdreaming?”

“Yes,”Finnsaid,steppingintotakeherhandsinhisandrubhisthumbsoverher

knuckles.“It’salladream,andthingswillbefine.Couldsomeoneassexyasmeexistin
reallife?Comenow,love,gowiththenicemonster,discussyourfuture,andmakesureto
tellyourhusbandallaboutthiswhenyouwakeup.Youcanlaughandlaughoverthesilly
dreamsyou’vehad.Pregnancy,amIright?”

Lindanoddedshallowly,lettingFinnslideherhandintoKiki’s,beforedisappearing

withthedemon.Finnsighed.

“Well,thatwasanadventure.”

“Come,darling.Belialwilllikelysendminionstodealwithallthis,andweneedto

getyoucleanedup.”

“Theyalreadycleanedmeprettygood,”Finnsaid,gentlywrappinghisarmaround

Veruca’sshoulders,wincingwhenhispalmpressedagainstcoolingblood.“Ithinkyou
canusesomepampering,however.Comeon,mylove.I’llgetyouintoawarmbathand
thentuckyouintoanice,comfybed.”

****

Finnsteppedoutofthehotelbathroomwearingonlyatowel,confusedwhenhe

didn’tseeVerucaanywherewithinview.He’dleftherstretchedoutonthebed,restingand
waitingforsomeonetocomehelpwithherwounds.Shehadn’tsaidifitwasgoingtobea
healeroraproper,humandoctor,buthekneweitherwaythepersonwouldbeinBelial’s
pocketinsomeway.

TheprospectofcompanywastheonlyreasonFinnhadclosedthebathroomdoor

forhisshower,andtheonlyreasonhewasn’tstillnaked.Hedidn’tmindsomestranger
gettingaganderathisgoodies,butVerucafrownedonthedistractionhisphysiqueoften
causedandhecouldrespectthat.

“Mylove?”hecalled,peeringaroundthebedroomdoorandintothesmallsitting

area.Verucawasalone,healedandwhole,thoughstillwearingherbloodyclothes.She
heldherphonetoherear,wiggledherfingershiswayingreeting,andthennodded.

“Yes,tellhimthanks.No,Finn’sfine.I’mlookingathimrightnow,actually.Hegot

outoftherewithoutascratch.”Shepausedamoment,smiledandlaughedquietly.“I
know.Allright,I’llkeepaneyeout.Bye.”

LookinguptomeetFinn’sgaze,shewidenedhersmile,setherphoneontheugly

littlecoffeetable,andthengottoherfeet.

“WasthatB?”Finnasked,leaningagainstthedoorjamb.“Callingtogiveanupdate

onLinda?”

“Linda?”Verucashookherheadabsently.“Right.ShestruckadealwithKiki—not

forhersoul,youdon’thavetoworry.”

“That’ssomethingatleast.Shegothomeokay?”

“She’dhaveto,inordertofulfillherendofthebargain.”

“Hmm,”wasallFinncouldsaytothat.Verucasmiled,sensinghisdiscomfortand

changingthesubjectslightly.

“Belialsayshi.”

“Ohyeah,I’msurethat’sallhe’ssaid.Nothingmentionedaboutthesituationatall,

noblamingmeforyourinjury,questioningmyplaceinyourlife,orcomplimentinghow
fabulousIlookinthistowelrightnowwithmywethairalltousled?”

“Nope,noneofthatatall,”Verucasaidasshesteppedclose,reachinguptodoas

he’dmentionedandwiggleherfingersthroughhisdarklocks.“Youdolookreallygood,
thoughIcan’tsayhowBwouldhaveknownsuchathingfromoverthephone.”

“I’msureyourtoneconveyedit.”Finnsniffed,asifherdoubtinghissuggestionwas

slightlyinsulting.“Thehungerinyoureyeswasaudible,mylove.”

“Isthatso?HowexactlydoIsoundwhenIhungerforyou?”

“Aboutlikeyousoundnow,”Finnwhisperedagainstherlips,capturingthemfora

quickkiss,beforewrappinghisarmsaroundherandcaressingherback,eventhoughhe
knewthedirtfromhershirtwouldprobablysticktohisdewyskin.“Throaty,alittle
desperateformytouch.”

“Well,thenallmeans,”Verucawhispered,scrapinghernailsdownhisbackand

leaningin,pushinghimbacktowardthebedroom.“Satiateme.”

Unabletohelphimself,Finntookhermouthfiercely,lostinthelusthefeltforher.

Hejokedaboutherdesperationforhim,butsooftenitwashewhofeltunabletokeep
fromtouchingher.Shewaskind,generous,thesmartestwomanhe’devermet,andso
beautifulhecouldbarelystandtobeinherpresencewithoutlongingforher.Eventiedto
atreeforhalftheevening,strippedbareandsurroundedbyotherwomen,hisprimary
thoughtshadbeenwithVeruca.

Itwashardnottothinkabouther,harderstillsincetheirsoulshadbeenjoined.She

wasalwaysthere,asoft,warmglowinhischest,acomfortingknowledgethathe’d
alwayshavesomeone,evenifhewasphysicallyalone.She’dgoawayhereandthere,on
secretbusinessthatBelialhadaskedhertotakecareof,buttheywerestillconnected.

Theyalwayswouldbe,andtheknowledgeofthatliftedhimup,makinghimfeel

impossiblylovedandimportant.TohaveawomanasincredibleasVerucasimplywant
himnearwouldhavebeenagift.Buttoknowsheadoredhimenoughtogivesuchan
intimatepartofherheart,thatwasbeyondanythingheevercouldhavedreamedofback
inhisdaysrunningfromenemiesonbothsidesofthelaw.

Hefelthiskneeshitthebedasshebrokethekissandslidherhandsaroundtopress

againsthischestandputdistancebetweenthetwoofthem.Detestingthecoolairathis

front,hetriedtotightenhisgripandpullherbackin,butsheresisted,pushinghimhard
untilhelosthisfootingandlandeduponthebed,lookingupather.

Longingforher.

Shesmileddownathim,admiringhimquietlybeforesheliftedherhandtoher

mouth,rubbingherthumbgentlyalongherbottomlipasifshewerethinkingsomethinga
littlenaughtyandwasn’tsureshewantedtoadmittohimwhatitwas.

Giddyfortheideaofnaughty,especiallyaftertheunpleasantdaythey’dhad,Finn

satup,rubbinghishandsdownherhips,thenbackaroundtocupherperfectbackside.

“Whatareyouthinking?Whatdoyouhungerfor,mylove?”

“Iwasthinking,”shesaid,cuppinghisfacegently,beforeslidingherhandsdown

alonghisshoulders,pasthiselbows,andbackaroundtogriphishands.“Howgoodyou
lookedtiedupandnakedtoday,darling.It’sashameithadtobethefirsttimeI’veever
seeyouboundandvulnerable,anddoublyshamefulthatyouletsomeotherwomanput
youinsuchavulnerableposition.”

“Itcertainlyisn’tthefirsttimeI’vebeentiedup,butIcanpromiseyouI’venever

beforewanteditasmuchasIdorightnow.I’mnotsurewehavethepropermaterials,but
I’mwillingtopretend.”Wagglinghiseyebrows,Finnpoppedupjustenoughtokiss
Veruca,beforescramblingbackacrossthebed,slippinghisfingersbehindtheintricate
metalintheheadboard,andgrabbinghold.“Oh—oh,please!I’msovulnerable,dearlady!
Surelysomeoneasnobleasyouwouldn’ttakeadvantageofamaninsuchasadand—oh
wait.”

Realizinghe’dforgottenastep,Finnshifted,cantinghishipssohecouldpullthe

toweloffandtossitaside,beforesplayinghimselfoutonthebedandgraspingthemetal
again.

“Surelyaladyasbeautifulandnobleasyourselfwouldn’thaveyourwaywitha

defenselessandexposedgentleman!”

Verucalaughed,thedelightinhereyesexcitinghimmorethaneventheprospectof

beingtiedupandknowingshecoulddoanythingshewantedtohimwithherperfectbody.

“Ican’tpromiseI’mmuchofalady,”shepurred,backingoutintothesittingarea

again,andgrabbingsomethingoffthechair,tuckingitbehindher.“You’reaveryenticing
man,andmywillpowerwillonlystretchsofar.Justlookingatyou,it’shardtocontrol
myselffromdoingallsortsofnaughtythings.LikemakingsureyoustayjustwhereIwant
you,forinstance.”

Asshesteppedupnexttohim,sheslidapileofpurple,satinribbonoutfromwhere

she’dhiddenit,danglingitinfrontofhisface.

“I’llstay—orgo—anywhereyouwant,butalittleinsurancecertainlycan’thurt.”

“That’swhatIliketohearfrommycaptives,”Verucasaid,leaningclosetotiethe

ribbonaroundhiswrist,andsecurehimtothebedpost.Excitementwaselectric,running
throughFinn’sentirebodyandmakinghimfeellitup,alittlehigh,andmostdefinitely
dumberthanusual.SuchwasthestatehewasofteninwhenitcametoVeruca,buteven

beingbrainlesswasokay,atleastaroundher.She’dnevertakeadvantageofhisstupidity,
onlyofhisbodyandonlyinwaysheknewfromexperiencehe’denjoy.

Insteadofcirclingthebedtobindhisotherwrist,Verucaclimbedontothemattress,

straddlinghisbellyandleaningtowardhiswrist.Thisputherspectacularandample
bosomrightinhisface,andhefoundhimselfbitinghislipstokeepfromleaninginand
nuzzlingthepillowysoftnessoffered.Shewouldn’thaveminded,hereasoned,buthewas
ratherlikingthefactthatshewasincharge.Holdingbackfromindulginghimself,letting
herhavethechancetoorderhimfirsttodoso,onlyheightenedthetitillation.

Sofixatedonthemovementofherbreastsinhisface,hebarelyevennoticedwhen

shefinishedtyinghimup.Suddenlyshewasslidingback,pressingherselfagainsthis
erectionandmakinghimmoan,beforeshegottoherfeetattheendofthebed.

“Nowthatyou’resuretobeagoodboyandstayput,I’mgonnagetreadyforyou,

cleanmyselfupabit.I’mverydirty,yousee.”

“Isee,”hemurmured,stillfuzzyfromthesoftnessofherslidingagainsthis

hardenedmanhood.

Shedisrobedasshemovedtowardthebathroom,leavinghimaloneandwanting,

watchingherhipsasshemoved.Leavingthedoortothebathroomopen,shetwistedthe
showeron,finishedsheddingherclothing,andthenturnedbacktogivehimasmallsmile
beforereachinguptopullthepinsoutofherhair.Justwatchingherwasatreat,admiring
thewayherformlookedacrossthespacebetweenthem,feelingthebitofhersoulmelting
hisheart.

Whenshesteppedunderthesprayandsighed,Finnmoanedagain,helplessagainst

thefeelingsshestirredinhim.Itwasn’tallarousalwithVeruca,though,atthemoment,
thatwasparamountaboveallothers.Loveheatedhim,madehimburnforherinaway
he’dneverfeltbefore.Priortostumblingonherperfection,he’dbeenwithagreatmany
partners,hadenjoyedalotofsexwithalotofdifferentpersonalitiesandbodytypes.But
Veruca,beautyaside,madehimyearn.

Sheturnedtofacehim,catchinghiseyeasshetiltedherheadbacktoletthewater

douseherhead,andheletherholdhisgaze,evenasherhandsliftedfromhersidesto
caressherbelly,movedelicatelyupbetweenherpertbreasts,andrubthesteamywater
acrosshershouldersanddownherfront.Hisattentionwantedtoshift,butshekepther
eyesonhis,makingsurehisfocusstuckwhereshewantedit.Therewasalittletorturein
that,butitonlymadeFinnwanthermore,onlyseemedtomakethethrobbingathiscore
moreintense.

Whenshefinallydidcometohimandlethiminsideher,hewassurehe’dbe

undoneinmoments.

Shewentfortheshampoofirst,latheringupherhairsensually,closinghereyes

againstthefeeling,keepingherselffacinghimsohecouldadmirethecontoursofher
body,thesofttanofherskin,andfantasizeaboutwhathewantedtodotohershouldshe
allowhimfreeofhisbonds.Morethananyoneelsehe’dbeenwith,sheknewhowtodrive
himcrazy,andhelovedthatabouther.EverythingwithVerucawasanadventure,awild
rompthroughlustthatkepthimeagerandfrenziedforher.

Sudsdrippeddownherfront,overthemoundsofherbreasts,underthecurvesof

themanddownherbelly.Tohisdelight,sheletherhandsglidedownwardthroughthe
lather,onepausingtopinchhernipple,theotherdippingbetweenherlegs.Herdarkeyes
openedagain,demandinghisgazeassheteasedherself,rubbingthedelicatefoldshe
longedtotaste.Heobeyedhersilentorder,vibratingatthewillpowerittooknottopeek
lower.Whensheletoutalong,waveringsoundofpassion,herheadtippingbackasher
eyesflutteredclosed,Finngaveinanddroppedhisgazetowatchherpleasureherself.

Hefearedhemightgooverbeforesheevensteppedoutoftheshower,hishunger

forhersooverwhelminghecouldbarelystandit.Wigglinghiships,bitinghislipashard
ashedared,hefoughtthewavesrollingthroughhim,knowingshewasjustgetting
started.Soon,hepromisedhimself,soonshe’llcometoyouandsootheawaythepangsof
untamedlust.

Rakinghisgazeacrossherform,heenjoyedthewayherbodyrespondedtoherown

touch,knowinghe’dinspiredthesamefeelingsinhermanytimesandhopingshe’dlet
himdosoagain.Hernippleswerehard,herbreathquick,herthighstense.Hiseyes
lingeredthere,andhewantednothingbuttosinkbetweenherlegs.Anypartofhimwould
do,hethought,knowinghe’denjoyitequallyifsheaskedhimtodivedeepwithhis
tongueorwithhiscock.Anythingthatwouldmakehermoanwasenoughforhim.

“Mylove,”hewhimperedassheslidherhandoutfromthewarmthhesogreatly

craved,andupherwetskintosinkintothesoapylatheratopherhead.Eyesstillclosed,
shemassagedherscalp,washingouttheshampoo,swayingeversoslightlyinthespray,
herlipsquirkedasifshewereenjoyingasoftsongplayinginthebackground.Herslow
movementsdrovehimwild,makinghimfightagainstthetiesshe’dleftathiswrists.
She’ddoneathoroughjob,however,andshortofforcinghiswristsfreewithmore
strugglingthanhewaswillingtomanage,heknewhewasstuck.

“Please,”hecried,notsurehe’dmanagedtoraisehisvoiceabovethesoundofthe

spray.Sheopenedhereyesathiscall,smilingathimandgivingaquickwinktolethim
knowshe’dheard.Rubbingherselfdownonelasttime,shetwistedofftheshower,stepped
outintothebathroom,andgrabbedatowelofftherack.Likeshehadinthemistywarmth,
shetookhertime,turningherbacksidetohimassheshimmiedthetoweloverherhairand
body.

Anticipationnearlyblindedhim,speedinguphisbreath,forcingsmall,insatiable

whimpersthroughhislipsasshesteppedbrieflyoutofview.Heheardthetowelhitthe
ground,dreadedthefewsecondsofsilencethatfollowed,andthenmoanedwhenshe
steppedthroughthedoorwayonceagain.She’dpiledherdarkhairaboveherhearheadin
acomplicatedknotthatleftherexquisitejawlineanddelicatethroatbare.

“Now,darling,”shesaid,hervoicelowandthroaty.“It’syourturn.”

****

Verucapausedattheedgeofthebed,admiringFinn’stautandarousedbody.Her

ownbodywantedhim,asitalwaysdid.Eventhesloworgasmshe’dgivenherselfinthe
showerhadbeenmostlyforhisbenefit.Therewasnothinglikehistouch,nothinglikethe
wayhemadeherfeel,bothinsideandout.Herthoughtswereswirlingwithideasforhow
shewouldtakehim,scatteredimagesofmountinghim,scratchinghisbellyassherode

himuntiltheybothcriedoutandlostthemselvestopleasure.

He’dbeenthroughalotthatday,however,andshefiguredhedeservedatreat,more

thanjustaquickshimmyofherhipsandthesmoothglideofhiscockbetweenherthighs.
Theneedinhiseyeswasfamiliar,afrenzyofwantingsheenjoyedknowingshe’dcaused.

“Whatshallwedofirst?”shewonderedaloud,trailingherfingerdownhisthigh,

overhisknee,andtothetipofhisbigtoeasshecircledtothefootofthebed.Refusingto
meethisgaze,shelookedhimoveragainfromthisangle,enjoyingthepalenessofhis
skin,theflushedheatathismiddle.Sheclimbedontothebed,tuckingherkneesbetween
hisbeforebowingtolayakissathisthigh.Hisbodyjoltedatthetouch,hisheadtilting
backtoexposehisthroatashegrowledacusswordoutintotheair.Shechuckledagainst
hisskin,kissingsoftlyanddelicatelyinwarduntilshereachedthetipofhiserection.
Lightly,shelickedalinefromthebaseofhimtothetipandthen,greedily,shesuckedhim
intohermouth.

Hecriedoutagain,wordlesslythistime,liftinghispelvistopresshimselfasdeeply

insideashecouldmanage.Shesuckedhardashishipsgaveout,droppingbacktothebed,
tugginghimroughlythroughherlips.Withoutgivinghimachancetodecidewhathe
wanted,orwhathisbodycouldn’thelpbutdo,shepushedforthagain,keepingthesealof
herlipstight,workinghertongueoverhiminherbesteffortstodrivehimcrazy.

Sheknewtherisksasshedancedontheedgeofhispassion,awarethatherlittle

showintheshowerandtheintimatewaysinwhichsheknewhisdesirescouldcausehim
tospillimmediately,butshedidn’tcare.Therewereotherwaystopleasureeachother,
evenifsheusedherwitsandskillsandenergetictonguetothoroughlyexhausthiscock.

Hedidn’tgoover,however,evenasshereachedup,scrapinghernailsacrosshis

delicateflesh,evenasshemoaned,lettingherlipsvibratearoundhim.Therewasa
moment,shethought,whenshe’dslidherhandsbelowherchintoteasehissensitivesac
thatshewassurehe’dbeenabouttoletgo,buthemanagedtocontrolhimself.

Bracingherselfonthebed,sheslidback,lickingherlipsasshegotfullytoher

knees,smilingdownathim.Afewsecondspassedwherehewasquiet,lost,overwhelmed,
beforeheopenedhisheavyeyesandmethergaze.

“Mylove,”hewhisperedgruffly,“youunravelme.Everytime,nomatterwhat.

You’rethelightofmywholelife,andanysecondIcan’thaveyoufeelslikechaos.Ineed
youfiercely.”

“Thenyoushallhaveme,”Verucasaid,bowingtocrawlupthebedtotakehis

mouth.Fiercely,yes,shethoughtashekissedher.Therewassuchpassionbetweenthemit
borderedondangerous,anall-consuming,mindlesscravingthatwouldneverbefully
sated.Thisclose,theirsoulsseemedtomeldintoone,glowingatthecoreofher
consciousness,makingherfeelasthoughshecouldn’tgetcloseenoughtomatchthe
intensityofthatconnection.

“Iwantyou,Finn,”shemumbledagainsthislips,movingtoglidehiminside,

gaspingwhenhethrustupwardtomeether.“Everymoment,everybreath,everythought,
allaboutyou.Alwaysandforever.”

“Mylove,”hebreathed,barelymakingasoundashefoughtagainstthebondsabove

hishead,finallysettlingongrippingtheheadboardandusingitasananchor.“Mytrueone
andonly,myVeruca.”

Hewassofastatfirst,hammeringintoherwithalltheintensityshe’dbuiltupinside

himupuntilthatpoint.Shekissedhimsavagely,grippinghisshouldershardenoughto
bruise,bitinghislips,matchinghisroughsoundswithoverwhelmedcriesofherown.
Whenhesheathedhimselfinsideherandpaused,however,shefoundherownhips
reactingwithoutherpermission,swayinginanattempttokeepupthedeliciousfeelingof
fucking.

“Mylove,”Finncroaked,barelyaboveawhisper.“Mydelight,myperfectpartner,

mysavior,letmetasteyou.Letmepleasureyou,please.”

“Yourexistenceismypleasure,”Verucawhisperedback,caressinghisface,kissing

alonghisjawtonibblehisear,evenasshecontinuedtheslowrollofherhips,grinding
againsthiminanattempttocoaxanorgasmoutofbothofthem.Itwasn’tentirelya
consciousact,whichwaspartofwhatshelovedaboutjoiningwithFinn.Herentirelife
hadbeenfullofthought,calculation,deliberateaction,neverlettingherselfbeentirely
exposedorentirelycarefree.

WithFinn,shecouldshutdownhercannymindandjustfeel.

“Iexisttosatisfyyou,mylove.Itismygreatestaccomplishmenteverytime.Would

youlikemetobeg?”Finn’spausemadeVerucaopenhereyes,slidinghergazetomatch
his.Hewatchedherintently,thefireinhisexpressionmakingherbiteherlip,
overwhelmed.“Justsaytheword,untieme,andI’lldroptomyknees,beggingyoutolet
metasteyou,todelightinburyingmyselfbetweenyourthighs,grippingyourexcellent
ass,andservingonlyyou.”

“Oh,Finn,”Verucamoaned,quiveringathiswords.Lickingherlips,decidingshe

wantednothingmoreinthatmomentthantolethimhavehiswish,shepulledaway,
lettinghimslipoutofherteasinglyslow.Hiseyesshut,hislipspartingashecursedunder
hisbreath,andshewatchedhisstunningfaceforaslongasshecouldasshemoveduphis
body.

Thesecondtheheatofherwasnear,hepressedclose,findingherclitwithhis

tongue,envelopingherwithhisfulllips,andshesworeharshly.Shecameinaninstant,
grippingtheheadboardabovehishandsandholdingonfordearlife.Evenashermiddle
roiledwithpleasure,Finndidn’tletup,hisagilemouthworkinghertowardanothercrest
ofsatisfaction.

Hernippleswerehard,beggingtobetouched,butshecouldn’treleaseherholdon

themetal.Everymuscleinherbodywantedtoclench,totighteninpreparationforanother
release,anditwasafewmomentsbeforeshewasabletoevenbreathe,letalonetease
herself.

“Finn,”shebreathed,hervoiceragged.“Finn,Finn.”Repeatinghisnameoverand

over,shebowedback,squeezingherbreastforahotsecondbeforeshiftingtopinchher
nippleandtug,imaginingitwasFinn’sfingers.Withoutrealizing,it,shestartedrocking
overhim,herentiremindfocusedonfeeling,nothingrunningthroughherheadexceptthe
sensationsofsex.

Thetwinthrillsofhisactionsandhersbuiltinheramassivemonumenttotheir

partnership,anoverwhelmingobeliskthatspearedthroughhermiddle,rootedfirmlyathis
mouthandendinginlightningatthetipofherbreast.Shefeltasifshewerefulland
everythinginherneededtoreleaseorshemightloseherselfaltogetherandbecome,as
he’ddescribedit,unraveled.

Herorgasmwassilentthistime,foldingherforward,forcingthebreathoutofher

chestassheleanedherflushedforeheadagainstthechillymetalofthebedframe.
Squeezinghischeekswithherthighs,shepanted,desperatetocatchherbreath.Afew
momentspassedinsilence,instillnessasFinntookthecuefromhertoletup,andthen
Verucareachedover,tuggingonthesatinshe’dsoexpertlytied,freeingFinnfromhis
bonds.Assheslidback,hisgrinwasrevealed,eagerandaroused.Hischeekswere
flushed,hiseyesalittlemad,andhelethergroinmeethisbeforeheletgoofthe
headboard.

“You’rebeautiful,”Finnsaid,pushinguptocuphercheeksandpullhercloseintoa

quickkiss.“Clever,caring,fun,andamazing.”Followingthrough,henudgedherback
ontothebed,adjustingthembothsohewasleaningoverher,kissingdownherjaw,
dapplingaffectionacrossherchest,andfinallyclosinghislipsaroundhernipple.Hekept
himselfseparatefromher,holdinghisslimbodyaboveheronthebed,teasinghernipple
gently,beforeglidinghishandoverherthighandcuppingherwetness.

AmomentpassedwhereVerucasimplysighed,pleased,asheteasedherbreasts.

Withoutwarning,Finnchangedthesexualpaceagain.

“Now,”hegrowledagainstherchest,beforepullingbackandup,grippingherhips

roughlyandyankingherclose.Waitinguntilsheopenedhereyestomeethis,heheldher
gaze,tookhisperfectcockinhishand,andguidedhimselfuntilhecouldpushinsideher
tothebase.Asshe’ddonetohimearlier,hemadeitknownwithhisexpressionhe
expectedhertokeeptheeyecontact,towatchtheintensityinhisexpressionasheslid
backandthrustforwardagain.

Itwastough,notlettinghereyesshut,nottippingherheadbackagainstthe

pleasure.Herbodywantedtobowback,hermuscleswantedtoclench,butsheresisted,
givinghimthecontrol.Hewatchedherasheheldontoherhips,drivinghimselfintoher
againandagain.Lipsparted,hemoanedlightly,hiseyeswideningatouch,breath
quickening.

“Veruca,”hewhispered,beforerepeatinghernamelouder,andleaningforwardover

her.Quick,determined,hehookedherlegsoverhershoulders,leanedinclose,andbraced
himselfonthebed,stillholdinghergaze.Shecouldtellfromtheslackexpressiononhis
incrediblefacethathewasclosinginonhavinghisownorgasm.

“Yes,”shepurred,wantingtocomewithhim.Feelinghiscockpulseinsidewasa

treat,especiallywithhimsoclose.Hewasperfectionforeveryoneofhersenses,fromthe
smellofhisfreshlycleanedskingoneslightlysaltywithsweat,totheheatofhimalong
herflesh.Hewhimperedquietly,andshewatchedhiseyessqueezeshutashisrhythm
stuttered,hishandssqueezingthesheetsbyhershoulders.

Whenheexplodedinsideher,shecriedout,reachinguptogriphiswristsand

squeeze,theclimaxrippingthroughher,makingherbuckasifshecouldforcehimdeeper

inside.Theymoanedtogether,trailingoffintofitfulbreaths.Finnsworeafteramoment,a
laughroundingouttheendofitasifhejustcouldn’tbelievehisluck,andVerucagrinned
atthesound.Herheadfelltotheside,hercheekpressedagainstthesoftsheets,thoughthe
restofherbodystayedtense,baskinginthestillcrashingwavesofpleasurescaldingher
body.

Theylayquietandcalmforabit,theonlysoundsintheroomthehumoftheair

conditionerandtheircontentedbreathing.Finally,afteraneternityofhappinesshad
settledaroundthem,Finnleanedincloseandwhispered,“Iloveyou.”

“Forever,”shemurmuredback,fulltothebrimwithloveforhim.

TheEnd

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