Gypsy Truths (All The Pretty Monsters Book 6)

by Kristy Cunning

  She gives her full attention to Arion, standing in front of him.

  “You’ve never been one to choose the losing side, pet. Remember that when I crush your sweet, foolish monster’s soul right before your eyes,” she tells him, the mask finally slipping.

  Arion makes no expression or has any reaction.

  She turns to face the camera, holding her hands up.

  “You think I’m vicious, and I admit, I certainly can be,” Idun says, talking to the camera and moving toward it. “See how they treat me?”

  As if cued, a beta enters from across the room at another set of doors, rushing toward her with what smells to be a freshly printed picture.

  Idun takes it, studies it with false emotion appearing in her dead, cold eyes.

  She holds the image up, and the cameraman presumably zooms in on it.

  “My people, though misguided, only acted on their dominant instinct, which we all know is more prevalent in shifters. A succubus? All this was warranted because of a single succubus?” Idun asks.

  She wiggles the picture of the massacre site, showing off the dismembered bodies.

  Her eyes turn colder, almost chilling, as the room heats. The flowers in the room rapidly wilt.

  “And I’m simply supposed to stand for such a thing, betray my people’s primal rights, and roll over for the sake of their twenty-something girlfriend?” she drones on.

  “Don’t spin this, Idun. You attacked a convoy that was heavily guarded. These are the consequences,” I grind out. “If any laws had been broken, by anyone other than you, I’d be left no choice but to take action.”

  “When I finish crushing her soul, I’m going to enjoy destroying her body. One piece of soft flesh after another,” Idun says, her grin growing darker.

  Chapter 22

  EMIT

  I hear bits and pieces of the conversation still rolling out of Idun’s lips, but I turn and walk away, my claws extending against my control. I’m too close to attempting to rip her to shreds, which will lead to her destroying me too easily on camera.

  Arion falls into stride next to me, exhaling harshly.

  “I’ll admit, we should have struck fast and immediately the moment she returned and got too close to Violet. She’s excellent at reasoning and changing the script to suit her own needs. At this rate, she’ll have everyone agreeing that Violet deserves whatever comes next. They’ll fear Idun even more if she has even one ounce of success against her,” he says. “I wanted to skip past another fruitless war that would only render the same results you all faced—”

  “I’m not discussing Idun or any of this right now. You guys come up with something. I need to be with my mate,” I tell him, my throat raw and voice damn near feral.

  “Fuck’s sake, wolf, if you let her rile you this easily with some bullshit propaganda and a few unsurprising threats. She wants to play, so she’s not jumping into war. This is a win—”

  His words end on a wheeze when I sling him against the wall, shoving my arm to his throat.

  “It’s a big arm, Arion. Don’t make me use it again, because next time, I won’t hold back,” I tell him very seriously.

  He holds his hands up in surrender, and I release him, letting him drop to the floor, as he heaves for air.

  Violet is on her phone when I exit, and I overhear Ighan’s voice.

  “Display c-c-cases?” he stammers, his voice really shaky.

  “Yes, display cases. Four of them. I’ll send you the measurements I want, I’ll and show you the room where I want them mounted. It’s sort of a secret room, and I hope you keep it that way. Also, I need some of my old toys brought out of storage. I think I have some that you guys will really appreciate,” she’s telling them.

  “Violet, I hardly find this the time to be talking toys,” Arion hisses.

  Putting my hand at the small of her back, my claws tearing at the fabric of her lopsided sundress that she clearly made herself, I start steering her toward my side of town.

  “What are you doing?” she asks as she hangs up. “If this is about what just happened, I can explain. I know what I’m doing, even if it does seem—”

  “Not right now, Violet. Tonight’s the night my dead wolves march. The moon is only this way once every ten years. You’ll be able to visit Fay, if she hasn’t yet moved on,” I tell her, hearing her make a surprised sound in her throat.

  “Their spirits stray after death, the human in them calling them to their first homes,” I carry on, as her body softens and her arm comes around me. “But the moon burns so bright that even my worst, most damaged wolves, are completely safe to be around.”

  She pauses, and I glance down, finding her staring up at me in confusion, as the sun slowly lowers.

  “Why am I just now hearing about this? And how did I forget the full moon is tonight?” she asks, staring at me like I’ve somehow betrayed my usual full-moon ritual.

  “It’s the most peaceful full moon in existence. It’s the one full moon where no wolf fights. Such a feeling of tranquility descends upon us that it’s damn near impossible to rile us. We all look forward to this moon, and it does wonders for wolf attitudes. At least for a year or so. Wolves learn to live with a constant anger stirring inside them. It can drive them mad if they don’t,” I continue.

  “I know. The omegas have filled me in on a lot. Including why you work so hard to be the most agreeable alpha. You lead by example, and you want peace the most,” she says, leaning her head over on me. “It makes me appreciate you more and more when they explain you to me. You’re a lot more than a sexy savage, which also makes me…”

  Her voice trails off, and I glance down, finding her cheeks solid red.

  “Makes you what?” I prompt.

  “She was about to say something super sweet and corny, and now she’s embarrassed,” Anna supplies, popping in at her side.

  “Seriously?” Violet gripes, glaring over at Anna.

  “Am I wrong?” Anna goads, grinning as she skips along beside us. She turns her attention to me. “By the way, you’re probably an even worse dresser than Violet.”

  I look down my body, remembering how I’m dressed, belatedly. I don’t even argue with the ghost. It’s been a shit day.

  “Sharing my mate is harder than I remember. Especially so soon after mating you,” I tell her as I pull away, threading my fingers with hers, after her hand falls from my side.

  We get a few eyebrow raises. Her poorly structured dress gets just as much attention as my bare upper body. The shoulders are uneven, and her hem is four different lengths. It’s done in a way that doesn’t look at all intentional.

  “I told you to buy off the rack instead of making your own clothes. You’re too cheap even for that,” Anna groans.

  “I’m not cheap. Have you seen how much running Sanctuary has cost me? If I was cheap, I’d still have money buried in the mountains,” Violet argues.

  “Why do you have money buried?” I ask, only because I keep hearing mention of it and it makes no sense.

  “Because people bury treasure when they want to keep it safe. They keep their mouths shut about it if they don’t want people hunting their treasure. Now there’s no more money buried, so it’s no longer a secret,” she says on a sad sigh, as though this is terribly tragic.

  “I’ll never understand your priorities,” Anna states, rolling her eyes, as she disappears.

  “Violet?” I say quietly, just as we near the edge of my property, the tall gate coming into view.

  “Yes?” she answers, distractedly staring into the horizon where the sun is setting.

  I release her hand as we walk through the gates, because I feel my skin tingling, promising a shift is on the verge of being forced.

  “The reason this wasn’t told to you, is because it’s a sacred, private thing among our people. Only some of the alphas know about it. We’re the most dangerous on this moon, because we can act with a clearer head and greater strength. However, no wolf fights. No wolf leaves o
ur lands, because that’s where the magic is strongest. It’s a high like no other, and even some without gypsy blood can glimpse the dead. We all have those we miss.”

  A small smile curves one corner of her lips.

  “Thanks for bringing—”

  Her words end on a squeak, just as we round the corner of my house, because I can’t deny the burning in my veins any longer. Twisting through the air, feeling weightless for a brief moment, my muscles pull with that familiar, easy stretch.

  She stumbles back, as my fur grows and my body fully changes, all before my front paws feel the grit of dirt under my pads. The air smells crisper, the wind feels closer, and the scent of wolves surrounding us doesn’t cause me to worry.

  For once.

  That serene, peaceful bliss slides over me, almost comparing to the moments I can steal inside a bubble with Violet. One of those bubbles where nothing and no one can penetrate our moment.

  She’s smiling over at me when the sky echoes with unified howls, and I turn, tipping my head back to join in.

  I forgot to tell her she’s the only outsider I’ve ever allowed in.

  Chapter 23

  VIOLET

  A raw, deep, guttural, almost longing howl sounds as though it’s dragged from Emit’s throat, his instincts demanding he join the others.

  I don’t know why I find it so fascinating to simply watch him.

  He glances at me, and then he turns to start toward the others. He struggles to keep a slower pace, so that I can keep up.

  The moon is so bright that it feels like it’s doubled in size. The rings that are glowing off it give it such an illusion.

  I get only mildly alarmed when I realize there isn’t anyone else in skin, and historically, wolves have a tendency to want me dead.

  But the worry is fleeting, because Emit brought me here. He would never deliberately bring me into the center of danger.

  Some wolves barely even spare me a glance. Some actually bow for both of us, as Emit walks me through the widening path of wolves stepping aside for their alpha. It’s the greatest show of respect I’ve seen the collective group offer him yet.

  He moves at an even gait, as they all move to their bellies, until not a single wolf is standing. Deciding to pay respect, I move to the ground, also lowering to my belly next to a familiar wolf, who has already dropped to my side.

  It’s Leiza on four legs with that polished, perfectly groomed, shiny fur.

  She wags her tail next to me so fast I’m half worried she’s going to piss herself in excitement when she sees me on my stomach.

  My eyes flick back to Emit, who’s gaze collides with mine at the same time. He freezes, as though finding me on my belly is shocking and startling to him.

  He takes one step toward me, but stops, his nostrils flaring, as I remain in place. After holding my gaze for a moment longer, he tips his head back, and another howl is wrenched from his throat.

  This one comes out like one of those beautiful, melancholy pieces, especially when a chorus of similar howls follow his lead, punctuating the breathtaking wolf symphony.

  I’m so spellbound, mesmerized, and lost in the moment, that I almost leap out of my skin when Leiza nudges me. She howls, all while nudging me again.

  Never one to miss out on the fun, I figure why the hell not. If she’s directing me to do it, then I’m only going to assume it won’t be offensive to the rest of the pack.

  Without hesitating any longer, I tip my head back, and I howl the best I can, which…is terrible. So terrible.

  I mess up the entire beauty of their moment, and all the wolves stop howling at once to look over at me. Including Emit.

  Leiza whimpers the way she only does when she’s embarrassed, she and covers her face up with her front paws.

  “I’m so sorry. I really am. Please continue. I promise not to do it again,” I assure them, feeling my entire body burning and flushing, as I die a little on the inside.

  I’m not sure if this hits the lead spot on the extensive list of times I’ve been mortified, but it’s certainly edging toward the top ten.

  I glare over at Leiza, who still has her face covered.

  Traitor.

  When I look back, Emit’s eyes are laughing at me, and the other wolves lift their heads to resume their beautiful symphony once more.

  Leiza joins in, deliberately avoiding meeting my eyes. I spot Tiara in wolf form, moving toward us, as several other wolves move off their bellies and onto their feet.

  Emit tips his head back once more, and changes the tune of the howls. They’re longer, deeper, and more suspenseful for a brief moment.

  Shadows appear in the thick forest. Wolf shadows.

  The pack lurches forward, the howls turning into excited barks and whines, as they sprint to meet the shadows in the distance. Leiza remains by my side, even as Emit joins the others.

  “Go. Find Fay and anyone else you’ve missed. I don’t want to intrude too much, so I’ll hang back and observe from a respectable distance,” I say quietly.

  Without any farther delay, she darts off, barking just as excitedly, tail wagging, as she charges through the woods with more carefree abandon than I’ve ever seen her use.

  “You too,” I tell the wolves behind me, who are all being really quiet.

  All of my other favorite wolf omegas chase after Leiza, their barks high-pitched and giddy. Even Ingrid is with them, in her wolf form I’ve only ever seen a time or two, as they race by.

  I’ve never seen them so free.

  A smile tugs at my lips once again, as I turn and move through the forest, studying the scene before me. I can’t really see that well, but I can tell enough about what’s going on.

  It’s sacred and private, because they’ve all got their guards completely down for this moon.

  It’s the exact opposite of what the full moon usually does to them.

  I wish this was their monthly reward, instead of the feral monthly curse.

  He worried I was hunting his wolf spirits, once upon a time. He was fiercely protective of even his dead.

  He said they return to their human roots after dying. At some point, they must return to their wolf homes, though. Being a wolf is just as important to many of them, as being a vampire is to Shera.

  “Are you looking for your boyfriend’s furry tail?” Anna asks as she joins me at my side, startling me once again.

  “I hate it when you do that,” I remind her.

  “Since I’ve been back, you’ve been a total bitch to me,” Anna says on a mock sad sigh.

  Giving her a dry look, I emotionlessly respond, “Because now I know who you are. You’re not Anna, the friendly neighborhood ghost. And when the guys find out who you are, I’m not sure they’re going to be happy about it. You should have been honest with me from the beginning.”

  “But then you’d have never loved me, and I enjoy being loved,” she says, grinning darkly.

  “You’re being creepy right now. Stop being creepy or go away.”

  “You’re too uptight these days. Just sayin’, no one likes an uptight bitch. And you’re being very stupid with Idun.”

  “Of course I’m being stupid with Idun. The only way to be smart with Idun is to outsmart her, and I don’t know how to do that. She’s a hell of a lot smarter than me, and she’s been alive for a lot longer. Also, she’s an established, terrifying alpha, and everyone fears her. There’s no such thing as smart, because the smart thing to do would be to let her win. However, that means sacrificing lives so that she feels she’s got some sort of power over me. I can’t do that. I won’t do that.”

  “Said the fool to the spirit,” she quips. “Maybe you should listen to the dead, or at least loan me your body and try to handle things my way. You really botch shit up when you’re the main character.”

  I stare at her. Very hard. For a very long time.

  She stares back at me, her face as dry and expressionless as mine.

  “I forget why I missed you so much. O
ne more insult, and I’ll salt you,” I tell her, pointing my finger in her face.

  “Back before you took on the responsibility of saving the weak and pissing off the powerful, you were a lot more fun,” she informs me.

  Hot breath fans over the back of my neck, and I go stiff. Anna turns and grins, as I remain completely motionless.

  “It’s Grandma, Violet! She’s huge!” Anna crows.

  A subtle growl vibrates against me, as the hot breath blows against my neck once more, sending my hair into an instant part when it blows up on my shoulders from the force of the exhale.

  A chill runs down my spine, and I slowly turn to face…Emit.

  My entire body sags with relief, and I think the jackass grins at me. Wolves have tried killing me, and I’ve killed wolves. That’s so not cool.

  They really are a desensitized bunch.

  Moving against me, he nuzzles my throat, his soft fur tickling across my flesh with a stain-like graze. My fingers run through the thick, lush strands, and he makes a content noise in his throat.

  “Did you find Fay?” I ask.

  He stiffens briefly, before exhaling and giving a shake of his head. My heart sinks a little, since I was hoping I’d have the chance to tell her that her death was avenged.

  He pulls back, sniffs the air, and takes off once again, as though the moon has him doing something else more pressing than nuzzling me with all his soft wolf fur.

  I smile at his back, but I turn again, and I spot headstones. I’ve somehow found their private cemetery, amongst all the trees. They usually burn the bodies to quickly free the spirits and limit infection, but those special to the alpha are buried like family.

  Even though I probably don’t want to see it or know what really happened that night, I still go to find the stone marked with Fay’s name, letting my fingers run over the engraving.