Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0261

Liam POV

"Guess we are not getting to bed any time soon." V groaned as he watched the shitshow around us through my eyes. We had only met Astroth twice before, but unlike my brothers, who were too hot-ended when it came to Lottie, I didn't mind the prick. Yes, he was a demon, yes, he was up to something, but he seemed to be upfront about all the shit he wanted, which was more than could be said for our family.

"You shouldn't be here," someone yelled at Astaroth, their voice cutting through the tense air, instantly identifying the malevolence that clung to his form. Turning to face the accuser, Astaroth's smile twisted evilly, his eyes scanning the crowd before shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"Here we go. Show of power and all that crap." V muttered as a smile twisted on my lips.

"Pathetic, all of you," he scoffed with a laugh that echoed ominously around the room. As the crowd bristled with anger,

"Go back to the pits from where you came!" Someone yelled, and others joined; screams for him to return to hell grew louder, some labelling him a trickster and unwelcome entity. Seeing Astaroth's jaw clenched, his frustration palpable, I had a feeling V was right. Shit was about to go down. "Like we need more." V added moodily. "We had a plan. If we had just stuck to it, none of this would be happening."

"It was your idea to come." I reminded him with a smirk because although tonight had been dangerous, fucking crazy stupid and had almost cost me two siblings, it had, in fact, been V's idea to divert from the plan. Zoning back in, I sighed, seeing Astaroth going off on a tangent.

"You call me names, but frankly, I am the most honest person in this bar. I do not lie, I do not cheat. I tell you things as they are; you may not like it, but it is the truth." His gaze flicked to the bartender.

been skimming off the top, stealing money to feed his fairy dust addiction." I watched, mesmerised by the darkness he wielded, as murmurs and shocked expressions rippled through the crowd, some turning to glare at the bartender,

male with his arm casually draped around a female vampire, "He likes to spike women's drinks, so he can feed and fuck without them knowing." Gasps and disgusted

added, driving his point home. He pointed to a werewolf sitting and watching from the outskirts of the bar. "She doesn't do it for love; no, she does it for fun and because she is excited to see

as the bar erupted into chaos. Patrons shouted and

shining with amusement if nothing else. With

to.." I started to say but was cut off

look down, more annoyed than hurt. A slow trickle of dark red blood oozed through his suit as he

into a mess of blood and gore, splattering everyone close by, which sucked because beside

his voice was filled with loathing. "And you are welcome, you flea-ridden mutt," Astaroth retorted

over.

bed at the Sparrow Mansion?" His tone, mockingly cheerful, sent a cold shiver down my spine. Something about the way he spoke told me the night was still

the aftermath

battered

I felt a deep, unsettling mix of gratitude and dread. I am grateful for Astaroth's timely intervention, yet dreading the implications of his power and the debt we might now owe him. As I helped a

he watched Adam, ready to support his brother if needed, but like me, he hoped he had enough brain