Page 190 of Taken By Touch and Torment

“I have my reasons.” Her voice was slightly muffled against the comforter. She clenched her jaw as my hand came down again. I pushed her head further into the bed before twisting her hair into my fist.

“You might be good at spinning those beautiful lies and half-truths for lesser men, but you know I demand your absolute honesty,” I said, enjoying the way I’d left red handprints on her ass.

My perfect, fuckable ass.

I went easy on her, the impact far more pleasurable than painful. I watched her face and her body, checking in every once in a while with words.

When I was finished playing with her, she curled up in my arms. She trailed her fingers along my muscles, her heart slowing.

“I’ve never felt safer,” she whispered with a contented smile. “Thank you, Rune. You were worth the wait and more.”

74

RUNE

Ientered the deliberation room, flanked by Uriah and Mason. Our guest followed close behind.

Kylo, the Hekate clan’s leader. One of the groups of turned vampires in Ravenia seeking to overthrow Earle and establish a new council.

He was one of the few men I did not tower over, as he matched my height. He was tattooed, but I wasn’t sure if the constellation of dark markings were ornamental, clan-related, or of magickal origins.

I could sense strong magick, but he kept its nature carefully concealed. His hair was black, his eyes a deep blue.

I gestured for him to take a seat at the end of the table, Mason at my side and Uriah at his. No one sat at the head. I preferred to keep the air casual, encouraging Kylo to feel as comfortable as possible until we had a better understanding of him and his clan’s aims.

He was young, likely turned in his midtwenties. When and by whom was uncertain, but I could sense he wasn’t anywhere near a century old. Immortality had ways of showing up in a vampire’s mannerisms and demeanors even if their youth remained changeless.

“Will your better half be joining us?” Kylo asked casually. He rested his hands on the sleek wood, watching my face with careful attention.

Though his tone and smile were polite and lighthearted, a tendril of darkness coiled up my spine at his interest in Scarlett.

“My apologies,” he said. “Word is spreading quickly, you see. Of Rune’s mysterious human partner in crime who destroyed the born from within.”

I smiled at this summary of events, but that smile was quick to fade. Scarlett’s part in Durian’s downfall wasn’t common knowledge, especially given its recency. Aristelle was run rampant by rumor and speculation about Scarlett’s time on both sides of the border. Her role wasn’t entirely understood by anyone but my inner circle, considering few born had lived to tell the tale.

How a clan leader from Ravenia knew that she was directly responsible was a perplexing question indeed.

“I’d prefer to keep her a mystery to unknown powers, as I’m sure you can understand,” I said curtly.

“I understand more than you know.” His gaze unfocused for the briefest lapse, as if remembering something.

An interesting slip of the tongue, but not my main concern. “You want exports. Blood onyx, blood replenishing potions…”

His eyes lit up at each magickal good and weapon listed, confirming the obvious. “I know the timing isn’t optimal. I understand the hold that the kingdom still has over Valentin, its military power wielded as an ever-present threat should you choose to cut financial ties.”

I nodded. At least he was lucid about the impossibility of his ask, when we’d only just narrowly escaped our own war.

Uriah watched Kylo thoughtfully, and I could sense his excitement bubbling under the surface. Ever the idealist, Uriah had been anticipating this meeting for weeks, hoping it might sway me into some form of allyship.

Mason shared my guarded vigilance.

“I came myself, during a time my clan needs my presence and leadership more than ever,” Kylo said. “I knew the risk I faced taking to the sky, and the increased risk upon my return. But I believe in the value of putting a face to a name. I am doing this for my people—turned vampires and innocent mortals alike.” His demeanor remained respectful even as he spoke with increasing authority. “Though we haven’t met, I grew up on stories about you. I’ve studied your moves during Valentin’s civil war, read everything in our libraries about you, however sparse. I believe in showing respect when respect is due and learning from those who came before.”

“You make me sound ancient,” I said, my lips turning up.

There was a charming genuineness to Kylo’s little speech. Whether it was calculated flattery, I had to admit it was convincing. From what little I’d heard about his personality from my eyes, he’d been described as arrogant, ambitious, and cold.

But I knew that those were also words that the world had used to describe me.

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