Page 10 of King’s Kismet

“What about tally marks for your kills?” Briggs queried, his fingertips dancing up my spine to distract me.

“That would cover my whole body.” I scrunched my nose. “And then some.”

The artist stared at me, turning his head back and forth before snapping his fingers. “I know exactly what to give you.”

“How do you know what I might want?” I inquired.

“I’m a dark seer, young King.” He gestured to Briggs and Novak. “Art is my medium.”

“What’s your name?”

“Arlys Gloom.” He held out his hand to me.

I furrowed my brow as we shook. “You’re a demon hybrid?”

“No. The Glooms adopted me, though,” he stated, beginning to set up his station with inks and paper towels. “You know them?”

“I know of them,” I admitted. “It’s hard not to know the council members when you’re the Third Devil of Hell.”

Shifter Situations - Chapter 6

Furniture Store Flashback Scene

After lunch, York drove me to this chic furniture boutique just outside of downtown Nashville. I’d been browsing their website for days now, adding things to my cart to view in person when my druid had an off weekend.

That was this weekend.

And I was excited to finally start filling some of the rooms in my house.

The store’s signage was written in a cursive font that was difficult to read from the road. The dark gray shingles swallowed up the thin, bright teal lettering. But this was the place.

Sofas and side tables filled the display windows, welcoming us inside with their best selection. That was their opinion, though. I was here for the more gothic pieces, the leather barstools, and the sleek glossy desk.

I had a list.

We wandered through the store for ages before a woman in her late twenties approached us.

“How can I help you today?”

“I’d like to purchase all the items on this list and the two-bedroom suites in the far back right corner.”

She glanced at the paper, eyes scanning each line. “All of this?”

“Each and every one,” I replied, smiling at her.

“Today?”

“Preferably,” I answered.

York raised a brow. “Is that a problem?”

“Not at all. It’s just a very large purchase.”

I nodded in agreement with her. It was a ton of money to spend at once, but I’d been working my ass off to cover my own expenses.

“I understand your hesitancy,” I explained. “It’s no small purchase, though I can assure I’m good for the charge. I can pay in cash, but I’d rather swipe my card and be done with it.”

“Right. Of course. Come this way, please.”