Page 45 of Beast

I learned a bit listening to Meg and Dante argue allmorning. Meg is a queen. It is something like being the First among women. Herhusbands are the kings of their plane. There are many planes and many doorways.I was taken through one of those doorways by a creature called a demon. Danteis going to take me to his plane to meet his pack—family.

I am going to meet Dante’s family.

My heart speeds up at the thought. What if they do not likeme?

“Well, Torin could have picked a better time,” Dantecomplains. We stopped by a lovely brook to rest for a bit before moving on. Thesun is warm on my face, and I allow my worries to drift away. My skin stillsings from the morning session with Dante. He proved true to his word, wakingme up by rolling his body on top of mine. He kissed me and played with mybreasts. By the time he thrust his cock deep inside, I was begging him to takeme.

We stopped twice since we left camp this morning. Each timehe pulled me off into the woods and had what he calls his “wicked way” with me.Once, he fed from me.

Oh, I love when he is hungry. When he first caught me withhis eyes, I lost all fear. After that first time, I was happy to submit. Thepleasure that courses through me when he feeds is like nothing I felt before.For the time he drinks from me, I am connected to him. I am warm and safe andloved.

But I can no longer see his soul. The first time he fed, Isaw pieces of his childhood. It was a flash of Dante and his family. There wasa bowl of something called punch and candles floated on top. He was a boytrying to blow out eight candles so he could have his toys. When I was in themoment with him, I felt like I belonged. Dante’s parents loved him.

But then the vision closed, and though I tried to get it tocome back, I could not see it again. There was only pleasure, but none of thespine-melting intimacy of the first time.

Meg shakes her head and relaxes back on the grass. “If I getmurdered, it’s going to be all your fault.”

Dante’s eyes open. “Kaj, love, do you sense an army comingafter us?”

I take the question seriously. I close my eyes because theyoften lie. My nose does not. I breathe in the world around me. Dante’ssignature is the strongest. I love the way our scents mingle. He is on me and Ion him. I can still smell our lovemaking. I find the scent comforting. I senseMeg. Beyond that there is only the forest and the clean smell of the water.

“No. Though there are several small creatures near.” Mystomach growls. I glance back around at the brush behind us. There is a slendertree standing right in front of the bush.

I straighten up because I am absolutely certain it wasn’tthere before. I remember staring at the bushes, thick with brambles, andknowing I could find a meal there. There was no tree in front of it. I studythe one there now. It is slender. A mere babe compared to the giants around it.The trunk is an ashen gray, and there are lovely, graceful branches sproutingfrom its top. I note that the dirt around it has been disturbed. It forms anear perfect circle around the tree’s base, as though it was planted by twohands rather than growing in a natural way.

Gently, I ease Dante’s head from my lap.

“Kaja?” Dante sits up, but I am working on the problem. Mybrain races. There is something about that tree. I search my memory. Trees lookalike. But smell does not lie.

I get to my feet and approach the tree in question. I touchit, feeling the bark. It is a youngling. The bark isn’t rough yet. It is softagainst my hand. I sniff at the limbs. They smell like another part of theforest. I remember it from the night before.

“This tree is following us.”

Dante is on his feet beside me. “Maybe you don’t understandthings on this plane. Trees tend to stay planted in the ground. You see, theyhave these things called roots.”

Dante continues on, but I smile. The little tree shakes itsbranches. It is as though it knows it is caught and gives up the game. One limbcomes out and pats my cheek with playful affection before turning its attentionto Meg.

Dante throws his hands up. “See, that’s weird. What the hellis that? Is it a weird Fae thing? Maybe we should chop it down.”

A single branch extends, and the leaves form something likea human hand. I think the tree is going to wave, but it merely closes its“fist,” leaving only the middle “finger” extended.

“Now that’s just rude.” Dante stares the tree down. “Sincewhen do saplings give me the finger?”

Meg walks forward, tears in her eyes. “Cian.”

“Since when did Cian become a tree?” Dante reaches out tome, his hand finding mine. He pulls me behind him.

I am not sure what he is trying to protect me from. The treedoes not seem to be hostile. And the tree seems far more interested in Meg.

The tree reaches a branch out and touches Meg’s hair. Thereis no way to mistake the tenderness of the gesture.

“It’s Ci,” Meg says, her breath hitching. “He found me.” Megtouches the slender trunk, and her eyes close.

Dante’s hold loosens as he relaxes, but he keeps a handaround my waist. “Cian came into his powers a few months back. He’s a GreenMan. Do you know what that means?”

I do not, but I can infer a few things. “He has power overplants.”

Meg’s mouth curls in a secret smile. Her eyes remain closedas she places both hands on the tree. “He has power over all things green andvital. He used the trees to track us. He’s coming for me. Always.”