Page 26 of Sinful Obsession

He hands me an orange, its vibrant color a shock against the drab backdrop of the room. I take it gratefully, peeling it with trembling fingers. The scent is sharp and sweet, and when I pop a slice into my mouth, the taste floods my senses, waking me up more than anything else.

Ewan watches me with a smirk, his pale eyes flickering with the need to protect me. “We need to keep you away from the doctors,” he says, “No more wandering alone. One of us stays with you at all times.”

I nod, swallowing the last piece of the orange. There’s no hesitation in my response. After what Michael did last night, the thought of being alone with any of them again sends a shiver down my spine.

The door creaks open and Nevan steps inside, his sharp gaze immediately finding mine. He crosses the room in a few strides, kneeling beside me and brushing his hand against my cheek. His touch is cool and I let out a soft sigh as the lingering weight of the medication finally disappears.

“How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice softer than usual.

“Better,” I admit. “Still tired, though.”

The room fills with quiet laughter from the others, their amusement a strange balm to the tension that’s lingered since Michael’s visit. Ewan leans back against the wall. “Stick with Nevan for a while. He has something to show you anyway and being with him will alleviate any other symptoms of the medication.”

Kaua steps forward, his large frame filling the room as he crosses his arms. “I’ll come, too. We can’t afford to split up too much.”

I find myself nodding again, unable to argue with the logic. As much as I’d like to think I can take care of myself, this place has proven the opposite. I might be able to open that door but so far, that’s the only thing I’m good at. I reach for Asmodeus but that feat seems too much in my current state.

Nevan helps me to my feet and then guides me into the hallway, the faint hum of the building buzzing beneath my feet as we walk in silence. Kaua’s presence is a steady weight beside me, his arm brushing mine occasionally as if to remind me he’s there. Nevan leads the way, neither of them hurried to get to whatever destination they’re headed for.

We stop at the end of the hall in front of a door I hadn’t noticed before. Nevan pushes it open, revealing a dimly lit library that feels impossibly large for this decrepit building. Shelves stretch high, packed with old books, their spines worn and faded. The scent of aged paper and ink fills the air, mingling with the ever-present chill of Briarwood.

“What is this place?” I ask, stepping inside.

“A library of sorts,” Nevan replies, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet space. “There’s a lot about Briarwood that doesn’t make sense. This is one of those things. No one comes in here, really. No one’s ever stopped us from coming in here either. The only forbidden places are the offices and that corridor that leads to the portal.”

I wander over to a shelf, running my fingers along the spines. One catches my eye, its cover embossed with strange symbols I can’t quite place. I pull it down and open it, flipping through pages filled with intricate illustrations and texts that make my head spin. They’re stories, histories—things Asmodeus has whispered to me in the dark over the past months.

“It’s all real,” I murmur, more to myself than to them.

Nevan steps closer, glancing at the book in my hands. “Asmodeus told you about the stories of old, did he? I’ve workedthrough some of these books but there’s too much to read and not all of it is English.” He points to some of the symbols on the page, his other hand grazing my arm. The sleepiness still edging at my consciousness falls away until I feel almost 100%.

As I process his words, Kaua steps up behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest. The warmth of his body against mine is startling, but not unwelcome. I grumble softly, shooting him a glare.

“You’re clingy,” I mutter.

“You’re fragile,” he counters, smirking. “I’m keeping you upright.”

Nevan takes the book from my hands, his fingers brushing mine briefly before he slides it back onto the shelf. “There are forces here we don’t understand,” he says, his tone serious. “They’ll affect you differently than they do us. You’re human, Vienna. That makes you vulnerable.”

He steps closer, his hand brushing my cheek as he leans in. His lips meet mine and for a moment, the world narrows to just us three. When he pulls back, his eyes meet mine, and there’s something raw in his gaze. “I see what Asmodeus sees,” he murmurs.

I’m about to respond when a slow, deliberate clap echoes through the library. My head snaps toward the sound, my breath catching as I see him.

Asmodeus stands in the shadows, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. He steps forward, his movements smooth and predatory, and I feel my cheeks heat as I realize I’m still in Kaua’s arms, with Nevan standing so close.

“You look beautiful in the arms of other men,” Asmodeus says, his voice dripping with approval. “I should leave you like this more often.”

His words make my stomach twist in a mix of embarrassment and desire. He steps closer, his gaze locking onto mine as heleans in and kisses me. It’s different from Nevan’s kiss—deeper, more consuming, like he’s claiming me all over again.

When he pulls back, he turns his attention to the two men beside me. “You two are meant for great things,” he says. “Don’t forget that.”

Nevan and Kaua exchange a glance, their eyes briefly flashing—a deep crimson red—before returning to their normal hues. The sight leaves me breathless, a strange sense of awe settling over me. Asmodeus’s gaze locks with mine, while Nevan and Kaua hover on either side of me, their hands settling on my waist as they turn me to fully face my demon.

“Vienna,” Asmodeus purrs. It sends a shiver down my spine, a thread of anticipation winding tight in my chest. His fingers brush my cheek, a gasp tearing from my throat as those fingers trail down my jaw and begin their descent.

“Do you want this, Vienna?” Nevan whispers beside me, his breath warm against my ear. “Do you want Asmodeus to show us how he takes care of you?”

Kaua steps closer, his fingertips trailing down my arm, barely grazing my skin, yet it feels like fire, like a thousand tiny sparks lighting beneath my skin.

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