Page 59 of Taken By Touch and Torment

He’s too arrogant to see his own shortcomings in all arenas. Scarlett is the least of your mounting concerns.

I drank from his energy, my cup of influence more than spilling over. The more I poked and prodded, the more I was beginning to understand that Brennan had more than a few hidden desires that were ripe to exploit. Desires that positioned him against Durian—desires that maybe, just maybe, could one day transform into a viable avenue to hurt the born from the inside.

“Rosalind,” Brennan said as Kole fumbled with the doorknob. “Kole.” He tipped his head. “I’m pleased to see you’re enjoying your stay so far.”

Kole grinned back, bashful red flushing his fair cheeks. “I appreciate my hosts’ hospitality.”

“Could I borrow her for a moment?” He asked Kole, looking toward me. “I promise I won’t keep her long.”

Kole waved a hand and stumbled into his room, barely cohesive. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a vampire this intoxicated before. Thanks to mine and Rosalind’s fine handiwork.

Rosalind gave Brennan a nonchalant wave. “Hurry back with her, Lord Brennan.” Flirtation oozed from her lips as she followed Kole inside his rooms, but I knew she meant her words a lot more pointedly.

Brennan nodded to the guards and instructed them to stay put. Then he led me to a room down the hall.

Once alone, he was quick to pull me into an embrace that would’ve been quite romantic if even a sliver of me genuinely desired him.

Witch light illuminated the high, grand white ceilings with red and gold floral designs.

“You were almost taken from me today,” he said, his cold fingers trailing my cheekbone.

I internally rolled my eyes.

I made my voice small, my features fearful. “What happened?” I finally found my opportunity to learn what had occurred when I’d been unconscious.

His face soured. “That bastard attacked us and attempted to steal you back.”

I bristled at the way he talked about me like I was some inanimate token.

“He failed, of course,” Brennan said with a twirl of his fingers, now staring at my lips. “He royally pissed off the kingdom for no reason and made himself look like a fool. I wish I could’ve seen his face when he flew off with his goons and realized…”

He bit his tongue, and the desire not to spill whatever he was about to reveal was not a malleable one. He refocused on me.

Isabella’s voice hadn’t been nearly as strong lately, aside from when I was drowning in self-hatred after failing to protect my fellow slaves. But it was clear as day in this moment.

Sooner or later, they’ll come to collect…

I swallowed, my face in his palm and my body pulled flush against his. “We shouldn’t,” I said, and he put his fingers to my lips.

Shit.

“Has Kole even fed from you?” Brennan asked, scanning my body.

I shook my head. Thank gods.

Brennan flashed a mixture of relief and anger. “Ungrateful fool.” He rested his forehead on mine, his desire reaching its peak. “He’s so intoxicated that you could convince him of anything. Say it was he who fed from you, and no one will question it.”

Brennan lightly grasped my neck, and I knew what was about to happen. What had to happen, in order to maintain my spell. In order to make Brennan addicted to me, willing to cross even more boundaries on my behalf…

I needed to let him feed from me, even if my body froze at the mere thought. Even as I heard Isabella calling me an easy whore in the back of my mind.

Even if I saw Rune’s face, utterly devastated and betrayed.

With Brennan in my back pocket, I was that much closer to home. I knew that underneath my shame hid the truth: If Rune truly still loved me, he’d want me to do anything to make it back to him.

“I want you,” I lied. “I’ve always wanted you. I know it’s wrong.”

Brennan smiled. “I know, little human.”

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