Page 40 of Touched By Death

As he plops down on the chair opposite me, I relax back in my seat, entwine my fingers on my stomach, and stretch out my legs beneath the desk. I’m still not comfortable. Running a hand through my dark hair, I ask the question that’s on my tongue. “Are you involved with Aurelia?”

Dmitriy stiffens, but instead of spewing the first lie he can summon, he weighs his words, before settling for the truth. “I like her.”

“Have you done anything with her yet?”

“Are you asking me if I’ve fucked her?”

When I don’t respond, he huffs a soft laugh and kicks his ankle up on his knee. “No, I haven’t fucked her, Dad. You happy?”

“What’s holding you back?” I ask out of sheer curiosity as an owl hoots outside. “If you like her, I mean.”

Frowning, he taps the armrest with a finger while studying me. “Do you want me to rape her? That’s more your thing than mine.”

I snort at the audacity coming from him. “I don’t rape females. Don’t confuse me with your uncle.”

He stays silent, and I take him in for a moment, noting our similarities. “I only asked because I’m curious.”

“She’s in love with Daemon and the others.”

My brows pull low. “You haven’t fucked her because she’s in love with your cousin?”

“I know you want the throne—” he starts, but I hold my hand up.

“I do, sure, but that’s inconsequential for now. We have more pressing matters to deal with.”

He waits for me to continue, and I fidget under his scrutinizing gaze. Who knew my own son would have more self-control than me? “Have you touched her at all?” I ask; it bothers me that I’ve succumbed to Genesis.

“She kissed me, but I stopped it. What is this, Dad? What’s with all the questions?”

“You stopped it?” I blink at him, unsure if I heard him correctly. He must have the self-control of a devoted priest.

“Yes,” he blurts, sounding exasperated. “I don’t want to be a rebound. Any other girl, sure, but not her. I refuse to live in Daemon’s fucking shadow anymore.”

“Are you sure you were born in Hell?” I quip, then laugh when his only response is an eye roll.

I should be more alarmed—we like the same girl, after all. Pushing those thoughts aside, the chair creaks as I lean forward and place my hands flat on the desk. “I need you to stay away from Aurelia.”

Dmitriy stares at me for a beat, then starts laughing, the masculine sound bouncing off the bookshelves behind me. “Why?” he asks once he’s calmed down enough to formulate words, wiping away tears from his cheeks.

“She’s not who you think,” I reply vaguely, gauging his reaction.

“You clearly know something I don’t. If you want me to stay away from her, you’ll need to give me more.”

Fuck... I knew he wouldn’t just agree blindly. Though I’d hoped it would be that simple.

Easing back against the seat, I place my elbow on the armrest and scratch at my bottom lip with my thumb while watching him. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Try me.”

“Fine,” I concede, dropping my hand. “To cut a long story short, in order to escape Eden, your uncle killed a girl. That girl is back for revenge.”

“What has this got to do with Aurelia?”

“Well,” I start, clenching my jaw, “they’re the same person.”

Dmitriy blinks, then drops his foot to the floor, sits forward, and rests his elbows on his knees. “The fuck are you talking about, Dad?”

“Take a candle and use it to light a second candle. Is it the same candle?”

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