Page 50 of Taken By Touch and Torment

“It is the kingdom’s official decree that a ceasefire be instituted for both parties until further notice. More deliberations need to be had, and more information must be gathered. If Valentin wants to remain under its own rule, this demand will be obeyed.”

There was something wrong—Durian and the born remained unchanged, their web of desire breathing in and out in the same rhythm and cadence as it had before. I glanced at Brennan, noting the smugness on his features. He met my eyes, his irises darkening and an overconfident smile forming.

Rune’s eyes widened at Kole’s words, his lips curling as he addressed him. “The turned respectfully requests that the kingdom take this time to consider what is best for its own interests in Ravenia. And to consider what is at stake if Valentin’s exports dwindle or become unavailable entirely.”

Kole flashed his fangs, his gaze icy. He leaned forward and placed his palms on the dark table. “Is this truly the threat you wish to pass along to King Earle and his council, Rune?”

“I heard no threat,” the witch said, speaking for the first time. Her tone was sultry, neither threatening nor easy. When she looked at Kole, she held him in nothing short of a trance. “As the only party here representing mortal interests, I believe the leader of the turned is attempting to remind us of what happened during the war. Blood shortages and massacres significantly reduced the mortal population and subsequently curbed magickal goods production for decades. Do we really need to prove for a second time what happens when Valentin’s born are free to act however they see fit?”

“An excellent reminder for those who weren’t even alive during the war,” Uriah added, shooting a look at Durian and Brennan.

Kole spoke, but Durian boldly cut him off as he stroked my hair again like I was a lapdog. “I’m glad you brought that last detail to the table’s attention. Though we honor the wisdom of our elders, my lords and I—protectors of Lillian’s children and rightful heirs to Valentin—are overwhelmingly composed of vampires with new, fresh perspectives. We are different from the born leadership that fell during the war. We are stronger.”

Durian relaxed, and I noticed the flair of approval coming from Kole. Every time the born made a point, I read clearly the ease at which they influenced him. Kole was searching for reasons to back the born, and he was doing the opposite for the turned, no matter what valid points they made.

“Now, who even are you?” Durian asked Sadie. “And why is an unnamed witch permitted at a meeting of vampires to hear sensitive information of this magnitude?”

“Same could be said of your pet human,” Kole snapped, for the first time lashing out at Durian.

Circular arguments commenced, but Durian and Rune stayed silent as their counterparts acted as each side’s mouthpieces. Mason and the two turned men I couldn’t name lamented about everything the born had destroyed, all the ways they’d broken the treaty and harmed mortals. Brennan bit back with more religious arguments for why the turned shouldn’t even exist, citing the Book of Lillian as evidence that Durian and his lords were always destined to rule. Nereus drove home points about self-defense and the born as an oppressed people. Uriah called the Book of Lillian a con and Durian a charlatan. On and on, every single point of tension was aired out, and no one but me could see why everything they said was futile.

Kole didn’t care. He was here to deliver a message and pretend to give a shit. But he didn’t, not at all. Kole was interested in Durian and the born. And more than even that, Kole was interested in Kole.

Swaying him to the side of the turned would take careful, concerted effort by someone who understood exactly what made his mind tick.

Say, perhaps, a succubus fueled by the desire of Valentin’s most powerful.

Rune and I locked eyes, and it was as if I were descending on the back of a firebird, wings spread wide. We maintained this prolonged stare for what felt like hours, neither of us moving, neither of us expressing a single emotion.

Nothing was spoken. A million things were said.

Cool fingers moved my hair off my neck. Durian roughly grabbed me, locking me in his ironclad hold as he shoved my neck to the side.

I finally understood why I wasn’t collared.

Rune’s eyes didn’t leave mine. Not when Durian’s lips brushed my neck. Not when his fangs sunk in, and my essence flowed down his throat, my eyes fluttering with unwanted pleasure.

Still, I only gazed at Rune, and Rune gazed back.

His shadows finally leaked, darkening the surrounding air. I heard loud voices, felt Durian’s bruising touch all over my body as he fed. For a moment, I saw the void. The deep dark canvas upon which the cosmos was painted.

And then I saw a field of luminescent stars: bright, eternal, sublime.

22

RUNE

What would really be the consequences if I were to rot every single born at this table?

If only I hadn’t vowed to protect the world Scarlett loved despite every way it had shown her its indifference.

I held her eyes as Durian fed from her, as he guaranteed his head would be severed from his body. The scent of her blood had everyone at the table tense with instinctive need, eyes flashing to my Little Flame.

As her eyes fluttered, Durian grabbed her roughly enough to mark her with bruises—on her arms, her hips, her ribs.

My shadows leaked.

“Rune,” Sadie snapped. “One of you, please get your lord in check,” she said to my clan to keep up our charade.

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