Elemental Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

a hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
    “We’re done playing.” He ran his hands through his hair, shoving it back. Distrust ghosted over the planes and angles of his face. “Spell out your terms, because your kind doesn’t do work pro bono.”
    “‘My kind,’” she repeated yet again. This time, though, she didn’t bother apologizing. Everyone else in the room faded back until she and Seth faced each other without obstruction.
    “You make money off your magic, never give anything away. If there’s not a catch, there’s a cost. Spell it out.”
    Griff stepped forward and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Seth. “Whatever it is, I’ll pay it.”
    “
We’ll
pay it.” Dominic stepped in, framing Seth.
    The three men were like walking orgasms. Or they would have been if they hadn’t been glaring daggers at her.
    Seth stepped forward. “I fund my own freedom. Name your price.”
    Fury and shame swam alternating laps through her veins. Fury because she wasn’t the bad person they seemed to consider her; shame because she hadn’t protected Seth. “I need to call my mentor first.”
    Dominic shook his head and looked away, muttering unintelligibly.
    “I just need to sort something out. Give me five minutes.” She swallowed audibly. “Alone.”
    Griff and Dominic erupted in violent opposition.
    Seth only continued to stare.
    Bailey moved closer to Eden. “I’ll stay with her.”
    “No.” Griff’s vehement denial was almost shouted.
    Her chin jutted out and she glared at him. “I know you didn’t just tell me what to do.”
    “I promise I won’t touch her,” Eden quickly interjected. She knew with relative certainty that this was the best chance she’d get at privacy. “Please.”
    “I told you begging doesn’t work for me.” Seth whipped around and headed for the door. He paused, hand hovering above the handle, and spoke without looking back. “Touch her and I’ll hand you over to my father.”
    “Might help scare the hell out of me if you tell me who he is,” Eden said snarkily. The urge to slap her hand over her mouth was almost overwhelming.
Why not just leave well enough alone, idiot?
    This time he did look back. The smile on his face chilled her through and through. “King Aganjú. I would imagine you’ve heard of him.”
    Eden stumbled against the desk, blindly clutching at the edge for support. “You’re the
ifrits’
crown prince?”
    “One and the same.” He walked through the door, letting it fall shut on the silent group.
    Dominic glanced at every face in the room, finally landing on hers. “Holy shit. You should’ve requested a last meal, because you’re a dead woman.”
    Eden sank to her knees. If King Aganjú was even half as violent as his reputation, she might as well have just slit her own throat.
    Either way, she was doomed.

Chapter Five
    “You’re the freaking crown prince?”
    Seth had known the men would question him, but he’d admittedly hoped they’d give him a moment to collect himself. Instead, the two had charged after him, cornering him near Griff’s office. The outburst had been all Dominic while Griff looked on, features drawn.
    “Yeah.” He shoved his way into Griff’s office and dropped into the nearest chair. Gods, but he was exhausted. “What does it matter?”
    “It doesn’t.” Griff sank into his chair and laced his hands behind his head. “Unless your dad decides we need to be punished for not keeping you safe.”
    “I’m not your damn responsibility,” Seth growled.
    “Save the hand-slapping girly fight for later, you two.” Thumbs hooked in his jeans pockets, Dominic leaned against the far wall. “We need to sort out how to get your element back. If we do, chances are we won’t hear from dear ol’ dad.”
    Griff glanced at Dom before kicking his feet up on the corner of the desk. “Hate it when the nephilim has a point. Always makes me think the world’s coming to an end.”
    Seth couldn’t even dredge up a chuckle. There