Chapter 16
CALISTA
There is nothing as thrilling as the chase.
The pursuit. The seduction. The conquest.
It’s an artform most women master at an early age. The misconception is that men hold the power with their strength and confidence, but at the end of the day, a woman will always hold the winning hand.
Knowing when to tease. Knowing how to seduce.
Two things not many can refuse.
“I-It’s just through here.”
There’s a stutter to the maid’s voice, a nervous lilt that’s only gotten worse the farther we get from the party. She’s a jittery little thing, constantly looking over her shoulder as if one of the White siblings are going to pop out at any moment.
I run a fingernail down her back, enjoying the way she shivers against my touch. It is just another thing I love about women – they are so sensitive to the slightest sensation, it makes it easy to ensure their satisfaction.
“Do you come here often?”
A blush creeps up her neck, a delicate rosé that pairs perfectly with this evening.
“The staff are not allowed in this part of the castle.” Her eyes dart back towards me, “But most of us have made a trip to see the Queen herself.”
“Mm, the Evil Queen was quite the woman.”
“It is said she could kill ten men with just one potion. Can you imagine?” A hand jumps up to cover her mouth, “My apologies, I should not speak ill of the dead. Please forgive me.”
Taking the hand from her mouth, I bring it up to mine. She watches me kiss it with an awestruck expression, the cool press of my fingers and the teasing nip of my teeth making that blush increase by a tenfold.
“The dead ought to be remembered how they were, not how they were perceived to be.” Squeezing her fingers, I kiss them again, “Do not waste your apologies on people who do not deserve them.”
“That is kind of you to say, but-
“But nothing.” Dropping her hand, I look her dead in the eye, “This world will take until you can give no more. Learn to withstand the judgement of others and maybe one day you will wind up with more than what you started with.”
Her mouth opens and closes.
Just as the door next to us smashes open.
“Oh my God-
“Shh.” Yanking her into the closest corner, I tuck her deep into the shadows before surveying the scene.
“Everett, wait!”
The shout gets drowned out by the closing door. Everett White goes sprinting in the opposite direction, his slender frame moving quickly considering the blood leaking off his face.
And if Evie just escaped the room, that would mean...
Bang!
The door blows open for the second time and Christopher comes running out. He collapses against the door, slamming it shut with his broad back and dropping his head between his knees.
His dark hair looks even better when there’s blood in it.
My mouth waters just from looking at the sweat-soaked strands sticking to his forehead. While Everett only had a drop or two of blood, Christopher has a steady stream flowing down his arms and dark stains blooming along his white t-shirt.
His newly ripped t-shirt by the look of things.
He takes one breath, then two. Dark eyes snap up, catching the tail end of Evie’s sprint towards his secret laboratory.
“Is it safe to-
The maid’s words get cut off by my hand. Giving her a warning look, I keep her mouth closed as the wolf staggers to his feet and goes stumbling after Evie. Swells of blood ooze down his back, the misshapen strips of fabric peeling off the muscles bulging underneath.
Honestly, it’s a sight I could get used to.
The door screeches shut as the boys disappear into the labyrinth of tunnels the castle dungeons have to offer.
“How quickly can you get me to the coffin?”
“N-Not long, Miss Drache.”
She dampens her lips with my name, a name that does not sound half as good without Christopher’s cocky smile to go with it.
“Take me there.” Giving her a coy smile of my own, I press my chest flush against hers, “The race to the finish line has officially started.”
“The finish line?”
“Oh, you’ll see.” Leaning in closer, I purr softly in her ear, “And once we beat the boys, I’ll finally get to thank you properly.”
The blush returns with a vengeance.
“M-Miss-
“Calista.”
“Calista.” She sucks in a breath, looking hot and bothered and more than ready to finish this night off with a bit of fun, “I have to tell you. I don’t like violence.”
“Don’t you worry.” Cooing gently, I slide my hand between us, feeling her heat through the short skirt of her uniform, “All will be taken care of. We’ll just have a bit of girl bonding and then I’ll be on my way, okay?”
She bites her lip and nods.
“Follow me.”
Together, we head off in search of the dead matriarch. A woman who would roll in her grave if she knew what was about to go down in her throne room.
Or who, as the case may be.