Page 65 of Taken By Touch and Torment

I looked back at Kole. Then I thought of Brennan, his venom still coursing through my veins and dulling my senses.

Yes. I?—

I hesitated, my hand halting in place. I glanced at Rosalind, and I started writing again.

I have marks that could take me, under Durian’s nose. I also have a friend that would come, and I need assurance she would have protection for helping me.

Scarlett, baby, I will give your friend anything she wants for all of eternity for helping you come home to me.

Rosalind lifted her brows. “Pretty sweet deal.”

Though she masked it with humor, I could see hesitation and fear swimming in her warm brown eyes.

Who are these “marks?”

I could imagine the look on Rune’s vengeful face as he wrote the words. I felt the phantom squeeze of his shadows wrapped around me.

Kole and/or Brennan. Depending on how it shakes out.

Brennan’s head is going to make for prettier garden décor than Kole’s.

I snorted, wiping at my tears. This was really happening. I was speaking to Rune, something I’d once thought might never happen again before I died.

Try to bring the least amount of protection possible. Have them disarmed and their guard lowered. I’ll have eyes looking for you, but they will be witches or shifters given the borders are closed. Don’t worry if you’re disguised. My people will be watching for Brennan and Kole every single night.

I felt light-headed, overwhelmed by this sudden shift of luck.

Okay.

I wasn’t safe yet. I had not a single clue how I was going to pull off what I was promising. It just didn’t matter. It needed to happen, so it would.

There was one nagging thought, a tiny whisper, that I was quick to yank out before it could root. What about the others? Wasn’t I supposed to be making my life mean something—for them?

But I knew that I couldn’t help them here, and I wouldn’t be able to stay this strong forever. I could only hope I could finish what I’d started once I was free. I couldn’t stay here. I just couldn’t.

You’re okay, Little Flame. You’re going to be okay. I only need you to stay strong for a little bit longer, and then you’ll be safe to let it all go in my arms. Don’t let that flame burn out.

Rosalind was silent as my tears slid down my cheeks faster now.

You’re better than all of them. More cunning and wickedly clever. You can do this. I love you endlessly. Now put the journal back. Remember that every single person that has hurt you will one day meet my fucking wrath.

The words stopped. I stared at the page, hoping for more even if I knew it was over.

Rosalind shook her head. “Wow, I… he really does love you, Scar?—”

Kole’s voice had us both freezing.

He mumbled what sounded like a name, but it was indecipherable. We spun around to see that he was grumbling in his sleep.

I snatched the two journals and quickly replaced them in the desk in their original order. I eased the drawer shut and locked it back. Rosalind swiped the key from my shaking hand and replaced it in Kole’s pants pocket.

We turned back to Kole, who grumbled again as he tossed and turned. Rosalind turned off the desk lamp.

She took my hand and pulled me out of the bedroom. On a spacious black couch, we shared a blanket and spoke in soft whispers.

I told her about Rune and Snow, my beautiful life in Lumina.

She told me about her first love, Zachary. She’d met him when she’d been running from her true nature, attempting to live life as a human. Zachary beat her to a pulp when he found out what she was.

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