37. Ivy

37

IVY

I freeze as Torin's gaze penetrates mine like he is trying to burrow straight into my brain.

Fuck.

This is bad. Really, really bad.

"Well, well," Torin purrs, a predatory grin spreading across his face as he edges forward. "Isn't this interesting? And with your boyfriend right outside."

I swallow hard, my mind racing. There's no point in denying it now - he's clearly figured out I'm Poison. But how? Did Tate rat me out? I need to know.

"Torin," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "How?"

He knows exactly what I'm talking about as he comes closer. I scoot back on the bed, the sheet twisting around me and uncovering half of what I'm trying to shield from his gaze. He reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling me closer to him. His other hand goes between my legs, and he slides his fingers over my clit that is still pulsating from my masturbation.

I gasp as he awakens the dying fire in me. His touch is something I crave as Poison, but Ivy is different. She isn't supposed to want him. His blue eyes never leave mine as he thrusts two fingers deep inside, and I involuntarily spread my legs wider for him. He withdraws his fingers and brings them up to his lips.

He draws in the scent of my arousal before his tongue flicks out with a soft groan. "Your scent doesn't lie."

I shudder as Torin's fingers slide over my sensitive clit again, my body betraying me with its response.

"Torin, stop," I manage to gasp out, even as my hips buck against his hand. "This isn't?—"

"Isn't what?" he purrs, his fangs glinting as he smirks. "Isn't right? Isn't what you want?" His fingers thrust and twist inside me again, hitting that spot that makes me see comets, never mind stars. "Your body says otherwise, little killer."

I bite back a moan, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer. This is so fucked up. Tate is right outside, and here I am, spread open for Torin like some wanton slut.

"What are you going to do?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Torin's eyes darken with lust and something else— something dangerous and thrilling. "Oh, I have so many ideas, Ivy. Or should I call you Poison?" His thumb circles my clit, sending sparks of pleasure through my body.

I shudder as Torin's fingers continue their torturous exploration. My body is on fire, every nerve ending singing with pleasure even as my mind screams at me to stop this madness. But I can't seem to make myself push him away.

"Torin," I gasp, "Tate is right outside. He'll?—"

"He'll what?" Torin purrs, leaning in close. His cool breath fans across my neck, making me shiver. "Catch us? Find out his little girlfriend being finger-fucked by me and enjoying every damn second of it?" His fangs graze my pulse point. "Maybe that's exactly what I want."

My heart pounds wildly. This is spiralling out of control fast. I need to regain some semblance of power here before Torin completely overwhelms me.

With a burst of effort, I grab Torin's wrist and yank his hand away from between my legs. "Enough," I growl, meeting his gaze defiantly. "You want to play games? Fine. But we do this on my terms."

A slow, wicked grin spreads across Torin's face. "And what terms would those be, little killer?"

Before I can answer, another knock sounds at the door, more insistent this time. I rise from the bed and go to the window, Torin's gaze on my back. He hisses when he sees Tate's name inscribed into my flesh. I bang on the window, see Tate step back from the door, and look up.

"Give me a sec," I call out.

He nods, and I turn back to Torin, who is helpfully holding out my pjs for me like some kind of weird, creepy butler.

"Thanks," I growl and snatch them from him. He is enjoying every second of this. I can tell by the dumb smirk on his face.

I brush past him and take the stairs quickly, unlocking the front door and opening it to let Tate inside.

"We need to talk," Tate murmurs, sees Torin behind me, and freezes.

"Yeah, we do," I state. "He knows who I am."

Tate takes that information in and rapidly processes it. "I see. Do I want to know how he figured it out?"

I smile that he is asking me and not Torin, but before I can reply, the resident vampire answers for me. "I caught her masturbating, and the scent of her cum matches Poison's."

"Obviously," Tate mutters.

The tension in the hallway is thick enough to cut with a knife as Tate's gaze darts between Torin and me. I can see the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out how this is going to play out.

"So what now?" Tate asks, his voice low and wary.

Torin's smirk widens as he saunters closer, clearly enjoying having the upper hand. "Now? Now we have a little chat about loyalty, deception, and what happens to those who cross me."

I straighten my spine, refusing to be intimidated. "If you think I'm going to just roll over and do whatever you want, you're in for a rude awakening."

Torin chuckles darkly. "Oh, I'm counting on it, little killer. Where's the fun if you don't put up a fight?"

Tate steps between us, his body tense. "Torin, let's talk about this rationally. There's no need for?—"

"Rationally?" Torin snarls, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You've been lying to me, protecting her. And for what? A good fuck?"

I bristle at his words. "I'm more than just a good fuck, you arrogant prick."

Torin's gaze snaps to mine, anger and hunger in his eyes. "Oh? What are you then?"

"My fate," Tate says, shoving me ungallantly to the side as he faces off with Torin.

"Fate?" Torin sneers, but then he pauses, his eyes flashing back to mine. He reaches out and grips my arm roughly, yanking me towards him in the crowded space. He spins me around and lifts my pj top up. "Is that what this is? Fate?"

"It's our bond," Tate says. "You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, I understand completely," Torin barks.

"You two need to leave right now before I send the dogs after you," Ramsey says calmly, coming down the stairs followed by a pack of hellhounds that look suspiciously like Chihuahuas.

"Oh, you wouldn't," Tate grits out as Torin eyes up the small dogs with a smile.

More fool him. Those things are the devil in disguise.

"Watch me," Ramsey says and flicks his fingers, sending the pack of yappers straight for the two guys. Whatever they are, wherever he summoned them up from, they are solid, vicious and I duck out of the way with a screech as their furry little bodies attack Tate and Torin.

Chaos erupts in the cramped hallway as the pack of demonic Chihuahuas launch themselves at Tate and Torin. Their tiny bodies may look harmless, but their razor-sharp teeth and supernatural strength make them a force to be reckoned with.

"Fuck!" Torin snarls as one of the hellhounds latches onto his leg, tearing through his combat pants and into flesh. He tries to shake it off, but two more jump on his back, their yapping reaching a fever pitch.

Tate fares no better, stumbling backwards as three of the little terrors go for his face and throat. His hands glow with defensive magick, but he's too overwhelmed to focus properly.

I press myself against the wall, torn between horror and a sick sort of amusement as I watch these powerful supernatural beings get their arses handed to them by tiny, yapping dogs .

"Call them off!" Torin roars at Ramsey, his eyes blazing red as he tries to pry a Chihuahua from his arm.

Ramsey just smirks, leaning casually against the bannister. "I don't think so. Not until you two leave."

"This isn't over," Torin growls, finally managing to throw off the dogs attacking him. He grabs Tate by the collar and drags him towards the door, hellhounds still hanging off them both.

As they stumble over the threshold, the dogs quit their assault and vanish, but the threat of them lingers as Tate and Torin glare at Ramsey from the outside.

"Lay a hand on her again, and next time, they won't stop until they have eaten your insides out, digested them and shat them back out on your corpses. We clear?"

"Clear," Torin growls. "But you, warlock, are on thin ice."

"With whom? You? You don't scare me, vampire."

"No? Well, you fucking should?—"

"Enough, for God's sake," I snap, trying not to laugh at this ridiculous pissing contest. "Tate, Torin, go. We will talk tomorrow, noon, at the clock tower. Better bring Bram and get him up to speed. But if he tries anything, I'll rip his balls off. Be sure to mention that."

Tate presses his lips together as Torin glowers at me. The man has got that down. It's sexy as fuck, and I want nothing more than to grab them both and haul them inside, but I have a feeling the demon dogs will reappear, and that won't be fun.

I watch as Tate and Torin reluctantly back away from the door, both looking thoroughly dishevelled and pissed off from their encounter with Ramsey's hellhounds. Part of me wants to laugh at the sight of these powerful Kings of Thornfield being taken down a peg by tiny demon Chihuahuas, but I know the situation is far too serious for that.

"Tomorrow at noon, clock tower," I remind them with a wave. "And don't even think about trying anything before then."

Torin's eyes flash dangerously. "Don't push your luck, little killer. This isn't over."

"No, it's not," I agree, meeting his gaze steadily. "But for now, you both need to leave and cool off. We'll figure this out tomorrow."

Tate gives me one last lingering look, concern and something deeper in his eyes, before turning to follow Torin. I watch them disappear into the darkness before closing and locking the door with a heavy sigh.

When I turn back to Ramsey, he's grinning at me. "Well, that was fun."

I roll my eyes. "Your timing is impeccable, as always. Where the hell did you get demon Chihuahuas?"

He shrugs. "I know a guy. Figured they might come in handy someday."

"Hope it's not Vex. "

"No, but now that you mention it, I bet he can give them an upgrade."

"Honestly, Rams, they don't need it. That was terrifying!"

He snorts, and we both laugh as he loops his arm in mine. "Tea?"

"Definitely," I say and walk with him to the kitchen, grateful that he isn't bombarding me with questions about this. He simply has my back, and that's what makes him the bestest bestie a shifter girl could have.