Read Online Grimm Consequences by Kate Serine - Free Book Online Page B

quickly supplanted by relief. I rushed forward, determined to sweep her into my arms and kiss the hell out of her, but I came to a halt when she shook her head frantically. “Stay there!” she whispered, her voice taut. “Please . ”
    It was only then that I noticed she was trembling, barely holding it together. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” I cooed, slowly edging forward. “I’m here. It’s okay now.”
    â€œStop, goddamn it!” she yelled as I took another step forward, her eyes darting to her right.
    My head snapped in the direction she’d indicated, and I saw Eddie and Gran lying on the ground, unconscious. Then I heard the hiss. It was a strangely undulating sound, almost a buzz. I squinted into the shadows, trying to make it out. My eyes widened as the thing slowly came forward, its misshapen head a cross between that of a goat and a dog. Spikes protruded down its warty back, and rancid green pus oozed from its mouth. A long, reptilian tongue slid between putrid lips to reveal a horrifying maw of jagged teeth as it licked the pus away with a wet slurping that made bile rise in the back of my throat.
    But more than anything, I was worried about its claws. Each talon was a poisoned dart that it could launch at its prey, and I knew from experience how deadly those bastards could be.
    â€œJabberwocky,” I breathed.
    â€œQuite a specimen, isn’t he?”
    I turned my head toward the sound of Demetrius’s voice. He had emerged from the shadows and now stood in the pool of light with Tess, one arm encircling her waist as his other hand slid lightly down her arm. “ This specimen, however . . .” He inhaled deeply at the curve of her neck as I’d seen him do before, dragging the sweet scent of her into his lungs.
    I fisted my hands at my sides, forcing myself to stay planted where I was for fear of what an attack might mean for the people I cared about. “Get your goddamn hands off her,” I ground out, my voice echoing as my anger interfered with my ability to hold my form.
    Demetrius gave me a mocking pout. “Or what? Not sure you’re really in a position to make threats, Death Bringer.”
    I saw Tess’s brows twitch together in a slight frown at the mention of the old moniker.
    â€œCall off the Jabberwocky,” I demanded, fighting to keep my voice even. “And let them go, Demetrius. This is between you and me.”
    Demetrius heaved a dramatic sigh. “But it’s really not, is it? You put all these people at risk when you disobeyed orders.”
    â€œJust punish me and get it over with, you sadistic son of a bitch!” I spat. “I know how this works. I’ve been through it before.”
    Demetrius nodded. “Yes, yes, you have.” He tsked, feigning disappointment. “But, see, that’s the problem. The message just isn’t getting through .” He jabbed his temple with his index finger, emphasizing each word.
    At that moment, the Judges appeared, one by one, each in a cloud of black mist, slowly taking shape but still enshrouded in shadow. Two of them rushed me in the next instant, taking hold of my arms to keep me from dematerializing to escape. Two others took hold of Tess, freeing Demetrius to shove his hands in his pockets as he swaggered toward me.
    â€œAnd here you are, Death Bringer,” he drawled, “disobeying once more. There are still two dead Tales waiting for you back at the restaurant, their poor, departed souls moments away from being lost forever because you chose to disregard your orders yet again.”
    â€œI still have time,” I shot back. “Let Red and the others go, and I’ll gather the departed. Then you can do with me what you want. Just let them go, Demetrius.”
    â€œOh, but we will do whatever we want with you,” Demetrius assured me, his grin widening. He gestured casually toward the Judges holding me. They forced me to