Silver Tongue Devil (Devil in the Deep Blue Sea #1), page 16
“Answer me, Kitty-Kat.”
My head jerked to him. He knew he could get my attention by calling me that.
He leaned forward on his forearms, his long fingers sliding around the rim of his glass. “Did it bother you I came back smelling of other pussy?”
“Fuck off,” I grumbled, taking another sip, my body flaring with heat. At that age, it had been innocent jealousy, a little girl’s crush. Now violence stormed up my thighs, churning in my stomach with intensity.
A cheeky grin tugged at his mouth, his tongue sliding over his lip after taking a huge gulp of his drink, his gaze never leaving me.
This man was intense, his power hard not to fall under no matter how much you fought it. No matter what he had done to you. No matter how he destroyed your life.
“Tell me about you and Yeo.”
“Why?” I brushed my hair behind my ear, leaning back in my seat. “Does it bother you?”
“It might.”
His answer startled me, the glass pausing at my lips. I lowered it, glancing away. “We were both on the rise up in our careers. Xiao, the last Triad leader, was making things difficult for me. He didn’t respect women, nor was he willing to work with a woman pirate. I eliminated him so Yeo could take his place. Something which benefited us both. Now I have someone who will forever be in my debt.”
“Damn,” Croygen scoffed. “Little did I know Katze would turn out so ruthless.”
“There is a lot about me you don’t know.”
“So it appears.” He took a drink, his gaze fixed on me the whole time, my core pulsing under his watch and the aura he exuded.
Were we flirting?
I jerked my head to the side, scanning the crowd. “Who are we looking for?”
“Don’t worry. He’ll find us.”
I inspected the pub, low murmurs and bursts of laughter permeating the small room. Some women stood in the corner, clearly here to entertain for a price. Each time I came, it got seedier and more crowded. A multitude of people searching for a way to dull the harshness of life, to find an escape from the endless suffering of Ju’s stranglehold. Drinking away the idea that they probably once supported Ju’s claim to the throne, happy that Shanghai would be independent, a stronghold against the West and against fae leaders. Only they became the very thing they feared they would—victims of an extreme fascist regime.
“I am curious.” Croygen played with his glass, spinning the inch of liquid left in it, waiting for my full attention.
“About?”
“Killian.”
The name was a jolt to my spine, and I was not ready to hear it from his lips. A flash of lightening flickered the dim firebulbs in the room, and I concentrated on them, not responding to Croygen.
“I mean, you two were inseparable.”
“Until you forced me off the ship,” I shot at him.
“I know he kept in contact with you.” Without reacting to my jab, he continued, “I would have thought he’d be velcroed to your side, pissing around you at the mere mention of my name.”
My fingers pinched the cup, stirring in my seat.
“He was in love with you.” Croygen tipped his head to the side, gauging my response. “You had to know that.”
“Is there a point to this?”
Croygen’s eyes were unrelenting, and I hated his power to make me squirm. “Not at all surprised he ran straight to you after he left. He would’ve followed you into hell. But he’s not here,” he stated. “Why is that?”
I shrugged, trying to cut this conversation short.
“Listening to how he spoke about you, you’d think you would be happily married with a gaggle of babies by now.”
“Then I guess you don’t know me at all.” I glowered at him.
“Wrong, Katze.” He leaned forward. “I know you better than anyone else. You were never something to rein in. You were as wild and free as the sea.”
“Is that what you thought when you forced me into boarding school? Having to leave my father and the only home I ever knew.”
“I had to.” A frown creased his head, finishing his drink before signaling to the server to bring us another round. “You were no longer safe.”
“Safe?” I sputtered. “I am capable of taking care of myself.”
“Not then.” He shook his head. “I will not apologize for protecting you and my crew.”
“That crew was my family too.”
“Yes, and that would have been forgotten the moment they could no longer fight the pheromones you were putting off.”
“Don’t give me this bullshit that a man can’t control himself and it’s all the woman’s fault.”
“No, we are completely to blame. But you were a cat-shifter going into puberty on a ship full of fae men who were sex-deprived, drunk, and half-insane already. I wasn’t going to risk anything happening to you.”
I would never forgive him. His choice altered my life forever, and he had no right to decide for me.
“Don’t worry. You weren’t the only one to hate me.” He nodded as the server set down another two drinks. “Killian’s animosity was enough for both of you.”
“He told me about that night,” I said without thinking. “The night you stabbed my father through the heart.” My hands began to shake, and I gripped the mug harder to control them. The awareness I was so close to my father’s murderer, someone we both trusted.
“Is that what Killian told you?”
“Do you deny it?”
“Not everything is black and white.”
“See, that’s where we differ. My question is only black and white. Yes or no, Croygen? Did you kill my father?”
Croygen stared at me, his mouth parting, when a figure slipped smoothly into the seat next to him. I was startled by how soundlessly and quickly the old man moved, and I reached for my blade. Croygen scarcely gave me a look, but somehow I understood we were not in danger. I released my grip on my dagger.
“Croygen.” The small, gray-haired man bowed his head at my companion, his stern face and stiff body gave the impression he was not someone to joke with. He was all business. Something about him made you feel he fit better in the time of the first dynasty.
“Duan Ru.” Scholar. Croygen ducked in respect. “Getting slower, my friend. I have been here for at least a half hour now.”
“I had business,” he replied curtly. “I knew you docked this morning; you are lazy and arrogant.”
Croygen snorted, “Good. I’d hate to start changing.”
“What do you want?” Duan Ru scowled.
“Always good to catch up with you.” Croygen prodded at the old man, then caught my eye, his expression losing all his charm, turning serious. “This is a different kind of request.” He took a breath, trying to phrase his words. “We are looking for something. Probably will have no idea what I’m even talking about.” He exhaled. “We are searching for what is called the nectar.”
The old man went still; his only movement was his lids blinking. “No.” His voice came out low, his brown eyes darting around the room. “Do not say that word again in here.” His gaze subtly scanned around. “There are always eyes and ears.”
“You know what it is?” Croygen’s eyebrows lifted.
“Forget you ever heard of it. Forget everything about it.” Peering around us as he stood up. “I cannot help you.” As quick as the man sat down, he slipped out of his chair, disappearing into the crowd.
“O-kay.” I peered back at Croygen. “Was that normal?”
“No.” Croygen still stared after him, a contemplative expression on his face.
“Well, that was a bust.”
“No.” His finger tapped at his mug, his dark irises snapping back to me. “Quite the opposite. It gave more legitimacy to it. I have known Duan Ru for a long time, and he’s never been afraid of anyone or anything. Tonight he was afraid of something.” He tipped his cup to me before taking a drink. “I think we are going in the right direction.”
“But we need more to go on.”
“Yeah,” Croygen agreed, examining the bar. “But we need to be very careful. I have another contact who might know something. She hears a lot of gossip.”
“She?” I failed to keep my tone even. “Let me guess, one you are acquainted intimately with?”
“It’s like you know me.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes, a disgusted huff coming out.
“Be careful, Kitty-Kat. Some might think you’re jealous.” A sultry smile pulled his lips.
“Far from it,” I huffed, rising, needing to get away from him. “Going to the bathroom. Think I need to wash the residue of your ego off me.” I turned for the hallway.
“Believe me, you will need more than a rinse if I released my residue on you.” His comment was mumbled, but I heard it loud and clear, clenching my fists as I strolled for the toilet. A flash of what he was insinuating went through my head, his cum spilling on my stomach, marking my skin as he pushed back inside me.
A growl of anger unfurled in my throat. Slamming into the bathroom, I leaned over the sink, sucking in a deep breath, hating how this man could still get to me. I should know better, be stronger, be immune to his charms and devilish tongue. But when the man you used to fantasize about is turning his seduction on you, something you only dreamed about at one time, it’s hard to fight. No matter what logic and truth is in your face.
“He can really make you crazy.” I jerked my head up at the voice to see a slim, beautiful woman reflected in the mirror. I could tell she was from eastern ancestry, but I couldn’t put my finger on where, though with her graceful, thin figure, she could easily blend in here. Her red silk wrap suggested she might be “working.” Prostitution wasn’t blatant here; they were more subtle. A modern version of a yiji, which was akin to a geisha. “You look a little young and inexperienced for his normal type.” She had a local inflection in her voice.
“Excuse me?” I twisted around.
“He has a talent for making you foolish in all the right and wrong ways, am I right?” Her red-painted lips smiled knowingly. A knot formed in my stomach. “It’s impossible to ever stay mad at him.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?”
“An old friend.” She went to the worn mirror, fixing her perfect hairdo.
“I’ll bet.” I huffed. “Let me guess, another one of Croygen’s contacts.” I curled my fingers in a mocking tone.
“Are you any different?” A single eyebrow arched up high.
“It’s not like that.” I shook my head. “Not between us.”
“Yet.” She turned back around to look at me.
“Ever.”
“Let yourself believe that.”
“I don’t have time for this.” I went for the door, done with his jealous old conquest.
“I want to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?” I stopped, my hand on the handle.
“Croygen. Risking his life coming back here means whatever he’s searching for must be very important.” She tilted her head, almost daring me to deny or confirm her statement. “There is only one thing Croygen would ever risk his own skin for, and that’s something for himself. If you think you have a deal with him, you don’t. He will take it from you in the end.”
My face gave nothing away, but inside, alarm bells bashed against my vertebrae.
“Sounds like you really know him. Maybe you should be speaking to him about this.” I pulled on the door.
“I’m talking to you because you’re the one he’s going to screw over.”
I whipped back to her. “You may know him from bouncing on his cock, but you don’t know me.”
“It is one hell of a ride. I fully recommend it.” She didn’t even flinch at my jab. “I’m telling you, from someone who has been deceived by Croygen before. It’s in his nature. He will try to take whatever it is in the end. Pirates can’t help themselves.”
“Well, good thing I am a pirate too.” I slammed out of the restroom, ire flaming off me, ready to walk out and leave Croygen to deal with his clinger. I got halfway to our table before my feet slowed as five angry men surrounded Croygen. Two of them were the size of sumo wrestlers, yet Croygen grinned. Cocky, unruffled, and arrogant.
I knew how deadly that swagger could be.
“You fucked my wife!” one of them yelled.
“Shit.” I closed my lids briefly, popping them back open when the man yelled again. He was only a foot from Croygen’s face. His average body bristled with aggression.
“Maybe if you spent more time with her instead of your boyfriends here, she wouldn’t be looking for someone else to make her come.” Croygen finished his drink. “Though, the way she screamed, not sure she ever had a real orgasm before.”
I inwardly groaned, knowing what was coming.
On cue, the man lurched for him. In one seamless move, Croygen grabbed the back of his head, slamming his face into the table, the man crumbling to the floor. He didn’t hesitate, jumping up and smashing his fist into the next one as the other three attacked, turning over chairs, glass crashing to the floor.
One of the sumo wrestlers grabbed Croygen, chucking him into the next table, tipping it over and hurtling him to the floor.
“Dammit.” Blowing out, I wagged my head with annoyance before leaping into the scuffle. The husband and the two wrestlers went after Croygen while I charged after the other two.
I had missed my boots, the sharp blades embedded in the soles, and the way my coat felt like a shield and a cape when I fought. Typhoon and Hurricane had limited my need to fight, but I never backed down from one. The power of seeing the captain herself slice a man’s throat in seconds created more fear than anything.
My fist knocked into the back of a man with a goatee, toppling him into a table full of people, sending their drinks flying into the air. They scattered away like seagulls, squawking and flapping to get out of the way. He twisted, coming back for me, while his buddy in a white tank swung out for me.
I ducked as his arm swished over my head. Popping back up, my elbow rammed into White Tank as I kicked Goatee in the stomach, pitching him back. Spinning around, Croygen and I were back-to-back while the five surrounded us, working in tandem as Master Yukimura had taught us. Croygen had often jumped in with Killian and me, upping the stakes in a fight and teaching us how to use each other’s strengths and limit our weaknesses.
We slipped into this mode without even thinking or looking at each other, effortless and instinctive, as if we somehow knew each other’s moves before we even made them.
One by one, we dropped the men, leaving only a sumo twin and the man who started all of this.
The husband snarled, yanking out a butterfly blade, jumping for Croygen as he fought off the sumo twin.
“Croygen!” My body jolted as I watched the blade slice into his side, blood spurting out. “No!” Fury took over me, my insides heating, my control slipping. Claws grew from my fingers, my teeth forming into sharp daggers. I pounced on the man, my nails tearing at his chest. A scream belted from him as my claws dug in, dragging over his skin. I went for his throat next, and he stumbled back, sputtering and grabbing his neck while blood dyed his white T-shirt. He dropped to the ground.
Whirling around, I leaped on the back of the enormous man, my arms strangling his throat. Croygen’s knuckles cracked over his chin, whipping his head so fast to the side it snapped. My hold on his throat took even more oxygen from him. He stumbled over, his sausage fingers trying to pull me off, but he was losing consciousness quickly.
Croygen grabbed me before the massive guy took me down with him. Unconscious, the final man lay on the floor, a ring of comatose bodies around us.
My gaze lifted to Croygen’s, both of us breathing hard, our eyes locking. It was only a moment, a flash, when the entire world could have stopped. Fire burned in his eyes, an emotion I couldn’t name, but something stirred deep in my soul, a power overtaking me, not letting me think, only feeling the something between us, the lifelines on our palms weaving together in an unseen web.
“Chūqù!” Get out! The bartender yelled, his arms flurrying around, breaking us away from each other, snapping reality back into place. My attention drifted over the disaster the pub was in, the five unconscious bodies lying on the floor, the owner’s voice pitching in the background.
Croygen sucked in sharply, looking at his wound, his brow furrowing, blood glistening his shirt.
I moved to him, my hand pulling his away to examine the deep slice in his side.
“Just a scratch,” he grunted.
“Get out! Get out!” The bartender shooed us to the exit. “Do. Not. Come. Back!”
“Well, that was fun.” He winked at me.
“Shut up.” Glaring at him, I put my shoulder under his other arm, helping him get out the door and stepping into the torrential downpour as lightning cracked overhead.
I sighed. There was no way we could get back to the ship tonight.
“I know of a place we can go.”
“No,” I snapped. “I’m not going to any of your many fuck buddies’ houses.”
He opened his mouth.
“Or a whorehouse.”
“Sucking out all the fun, Kitty-Kat.”
“I’m gonna leave you here to bleed to death.”
Croygen smirked cheekily, only fueling my irritation.
“Come on.” I yanked him a little harder than needed, forcing a yip from him. The pregnant raindrops splashed down on us, soaking us completely as I took him to the only place I could think of. A spot I had used before when I ran into problems.
So much for staying out of trouble.
Night was seeping in, darkening the already heavy sky, thunder vibrating the cobbled ground.
Rushing us into a murky alley behind a market, which sold various types of meats—though meat here could mean a lot of things, like rodents and insects—I found the door an average pedestrian would walk right past if they didn’t know it was there. My knuckles rapped the wood, hoping the owner would answer.
