Page 119 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
“Brace yourself.”
Incapable of forming a response, I nod and follow them through the portal. Instead of falling through the floor, the world shifts to be right-side up. The pink flames roar in the hearth, making my muscles tense, and a moment later, I hear floorboards creaking from above and several sets of footsteps.
The staccatothud, thud, thudof more than onelargeperson lumbering down the stairs has me shifting to find a broad, shirtless,greenform bowing a head of long black hair to fit through the too-small space of the stair landing.
Folding at the waist in Winnow’s direction, his deep, gravely voice intones,“Your Grace.”
He is followed by two otherorcs, one slightly larger, one slightly shorter—though all three of them are giant. Winnow rolls her eyes. “You know I no longer hold the duchy?—”
“Duchess!”
The soft, but high-pitched voice has us twisting back towards the fireplace to find who I assume is Ginny—tall, thickly curved, pointed ears, bright blue eyes, with a tremendous mane of red hair down to her hips—and dressed in a set of pale blue silk pajamas with frilly cuffs.
Winnow grins at her, apology written in her eyes. “Forgive me for calling on you at such an early hour. Time difference and whatnot.”
Ginny waves her off with one hand as she uses the other to hide a yawn. “It’s all part of the trade. Where is it you need to go?”
The words leap from my tongue before Winnow even has a chance to reply. “I need to find Violette Lark.”
The three orcs make their way through the room to form a semi-circle of heavily muscled flesh behind Ginny, making itclear that this woman hasthreemates. Each of whom studies me with a hint of wariness.
Holy fuck... Are theyallsoulbound?
I can’t imagine sharing Violette with anyone,soulboundor not.
Ginny gives me an unimpressed look. “The brothel mistress?”
My scowl turns her mates’ stares into glares, one of them even growls. My temper flares to match it. “She doesn’t do that anymore.”
Does she?
I would still want her all the same.
Ginny’s brows pinch. “Oh, I hadn’t heard... And what business do you have with her? I don’t do kidnappings.”
She says it casually as if it’s a common request.
“She is mysoulbound.”
Or at least was.
The gaping hole in my chest feels like a cauterized wound. The edges around it simmer with heat, reminding me of the place where our bond should be.
Ginny’s brows leap towards her hairline. “I see... Well, in that case,” she pauses, turning towards one of her orc mates, “Darling, fetch me my Rolodex.”
Rolodex?
The orc disappears down a hallway illuminated by torches, cradling golden orbs, and reappears a few moments later carrying a glass case, and sure enough, there’s a fucking 1980s Rolodex sitting on a velvet pillow inside.
At my look, Ginny arches a brow. “What? I like to collect human things.”
Taking the Rolodex into careful hands, she begins to turn the wheel. A soft whirring sound fills the room, and gold dust beginsto mist the air around it as she whispers something in another language.
Ginny suddenly stops, as does the rotation of this bizarre, magical Rolodex. “Please confirm this is the Violette Lark you’re seeking?”
A radiant hologram ripples to life in the air between us, depicting a dour-looking Violette with what I can only assume are stats, but the characters are nothing I can interpret.
My heart clenches at the sight of her.
