Page 63 of Of Monsters and Mazes

Say what now?

“Wait, since when are you reasonable?” I was probably supposed to be thrilled he was listening for once, but instead I was too dumbfounded to wrap my head around it.

“Since I’ve come to accept that there’s a lot more going on in that warped head of yours than I realized.” He rubbed at his still healing arm, where he was still plucking out nails, and pinholes leaked fresh blood down to his claws. He nodded subtly towards the scattered, blood drenched pile of metal spikes on the floor, the red streaks all over the wall, and the now very traumatized tribute.

I didn’t know how to tell him that the whole “nailing her to things” fiasco was, legitimately, not my fault.

But blame the Dream Weaver why don’t you. He’s an easy target. Let’s all just pretend Butterfly is a sweet little damsel in distress who dreams of flowers instead of violent hate fucking.

Though if that was what it took to actually get him to back off… still worth it. String me up on the cross and stake me, Daddy. I let that mocking thought traipse through my head, just like I let too many other things set up shop in there lately. I envied those who were the sons of livestock and didn’t have to suffer through cerebral meltdowns.

With a huff and a sigh, I extended my hand to the red haired man with those eternally enchanting and evil amber eyes, and I determined I’d deal with his transgressions later. I wanted to get this Butterfly debacle over with, and it wouldn’t do me any good to stay at odds with him, considering neither of us were going anywhere else from here. “Truce?”

He eyed me suspiciously, but didn’t meet my handshake just yet.

“Temporary truce.” I tried next, and that got him to extend a hand. He took my palm and gave it a hard shake.

“Very temporary.” He smirked in a way that used to melt my already high temperature heart.

“I’ll be breaking it as soon as possible.” I confirmed with a second shake like it was an entirely new bargain.

“I wouldn’t dream of anything less.”

With a deal sparked between us, I turned my attention back to Butterfly, who was still looking rather dumbstruck. She seemed wobbly and tired and unstable.

“For the devil’s sake, how many times did you make her…” I made an exploding motion with my hand, and Alessi laughed.

“On this challenge, or the last three?”

I gave him full and unimpressed side-eye for that. I knew full well how tongue in cheek that question actually was, because he knew full well that I’d felt every goddamn one while he had his hands on my marks. “You nearly knocked me off the top of the wall with that last one. Those marks are directly connected to my nervous system, in case you forgot.”

“Nearly? I’ll try harder next time.” The fox shrugged, and we were right back to how we always were. I hated how easily he always sucked me into his rhythm.

His talents only spurred my resentment.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I snapped my fingers in front of Butterfly’s face in quick succession. She blinked and shook her head as she joined us in the present.

“So, did we win? Are we done?” She asked so innocently, slowly regaining her wits about her. She had quite a lot of wit to gather, so I wouldn’t blame her for needing extra time.

“We all won, in my opinion.” Alessi winked, and I glared at him again. “Now who wants to go play in the Orange Sector? I hear it’s only gotten more awful in the last century, and I’ve been wanting to confirm that for myself.”

Butterfly stared down the gradient that turned gold to copper until it culminated in a bright orange door.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, and she relaxed under my natural warmth. I could feel the way my heart beat picked up a few extra beats for only a second, and I wondered if she truly would give me a heart attack one of these days.

“Lead the way, Butterfly.” I said with a tip of my chin.

She stayed in my hold for a couple more seconds, then she nodded and headed for the door.

Alessi and I exchanged looks, and I was quick to break eye contact, not comfortable with whatever conclusion he might be coming to. Whatever he thought I was doing with Butterfly, he was wrong. And whatever he thought I was doing with him, he was dead wrong.

Just two sectors to go. This was going to be a long, long Labyrinth.

Chapter 34

The crackle of a portal buzzed through the castle, and I perked up from my throne. Pumpkin was fast asleep on my lap, and I’d nearly dozed off with him, despite a titillating show on my projection.

The Yellow Sector had been odd this year. The challenges were usually more akin to “cut off a finger—axe wielder’s choice!” or “lay in a box of scorpions and don’t scream!”—You know, fun things. Not “nail the girl to a wall and fuck her brains out,” or “see how many times you can get her off with a vibrator and a whip.” This sector was supposed to be hard choices. My pet must have been in a mood. Maybe I hadn’t satisfied him thoroughly enough lately.