Desecrated Beauty (Twisted Fairy Tales #1) by Kyleigh Castronaro Read Free Book Online Page A

Rose was far enough in before glancing over her shoulder to make sure neither of the guards had caught up to them. She dropped to her knees and stopped suddenly. A blade was held at her throat, a very familiar and cold blade.
    She turned her head ever so slowly to look up at the hand attached to the body that was hovering over her.
    “You are following me,” she said challengingly.
    “You are stealing something that belongs to me.” She blinked slowly, trying to understand the implication of his words.
    Rose.
    “She doesn’t belong to you,” she said with a snap, but the beast just smiled at her, his teeth elongated in the moonlight and glinting a starch white.
    “Yes, she does. I bought her.” He pulled the knife from her throat and Quill leaned back on her heels, staring up at him. “But I’ll trade you.”
    “For what?” Her heart rammed against her rib cage, hope blossoming. She would trade anything for Rose’s freedom if he were the key holder.
    “You for her.” And just like that the hope disintegrated in a flash. Of course, this would be her choice. She could give her sister freedom in a world where her main purpose would be to breed, to develop a race that would forever be seen as lesser than or she could let her sister return to this man who openly admitted to taking what he wanted from women. There was one thing Quill was certain of, even if Rose were asked to have children with The Desecrated it wouldn’t be forced on her until she was honestly ready herself.
    It wasn’t a tough choice to make it was just a hard pill to swallow as her mind raced with the possibilities that trading herself to him presented.
    “Fine,” she said with a leer, she wanted him to understand she wasn’t coming willingly but felt she was being forced to.
    He didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he didn’t bother to let it show as he smiled toothily at her, “good.” He nodded his head and backed away.
    “I will expect you at my home in 30 hours.”
    “30 hours? That’s all I get?”
    “I could take you now if I wished, I thought I would be kind and allow you to settle your affairs before coming to me. Willingly. If you do not come, I will come for you and the result will be tragic for anyone who stands in my way.”
    He seemed to read her mind, she had already been considering that within 30 hours she could find a way to hide her sister and herself from his sight. Even if it was just within the compound. He couldn’t find them there, she was so sure of its hidden location.
    She took a deep breath, not letting her eyes close however much she wanted to if only to calm herself, “fine.” She repeated to herself before turning to the tunnel once more. “I will see you in 30 hours… How do I find your home?”
    “You’ll know which one it is.” He grinned again at her making her want to reach out and punch it off his face.
    “I doubt that immensely, so if I’m late it’s your fault.”
    “You will know which one it is. As it is not in the city.”
    “It’s not in the city?”
    “No, that is where the humans live.” His voice was filled with contempt while her body felt like someone had dumped ice all over her.
    “Humans.” She repeated unsure if she had heard him correctly. He grinned at her in a chilling way this time, leaning in closer so their bodies had barely a scrap of air between them. Quill wanted to look away, but her eyes were glued to his, widening with each passing second as he hovered so close to her.
    She was completely caught up, he could easily take whatever he wanted from her and for a moment he considered it.
    “I live beyond the main perimeter of the city, east of the iron gate.” He broke away from her reluctantly and forced himself to take another few steps back. His body wanted to return to her heat and to the electricity that charged him when she was around.
    “East of the iron gate,” she repeated, transfixed.
    He nodded at her, “in 30 hours I will see you there.” He