Page 28 of Diamond Kisses

“Fuck you.” Henri gave him the finger. “You’re a dead man. I don’t know how and I have no idea when, but one day, Iwillwear your blood.”

“You’re getting repetitive in your old age. But I will accept that you have a vivid imagination. Or is it a hallucination? I can’t tell.”

“It’s neither.” Henri grinned like a madman. “It’s a prophecy.”

“Prophecy?” Victor smiled so wide, so sick, shivers darted down my back. “You know what? I think you might become my favourite, my sweetling. I’msogoing to enjoy breaking you.”

Casting his eyes to mine, he bowed. “Ilyana.” He blew a kiss at Peter. “Peter.” His cold, predatory gaze landed on Henri. “Henri.”

With a whistle and a wink, Victor stepped away from the bars. “See you soon, my pets.”

And then, he was gone.

* * * * *

My body believed it was the dead of night.

My mind convinced me the moon was shining, the stars were twinkling, and I ought to be fast asleep like Peter and Henri.

But I couldn’t.

I hadn’t slept well since Victor’s visit a few days ago.

Or at least…I think it’s a few days ago.

I did my best to count down the hours and scratch a mark on the wall, but with the ever-flickering light and the one meal given to us appearing at random times instead of regimented, it was impossible to know for sure.

Peter lay on his side, bundled in his dirty blanket, shivering like we all did. He mumbled in his dreams, his face scrunched up and filthy. Reaching across our touching pillows, I brushed away his hair and rested my equally dirty palm on his temple.

He settled immediately. Just like Krish used to do if he snuck into my room because he couldn’t sleep.

A prickle shot down my spine. The uncanny knowledge of being watched—

Glancing at the bars, I braced myself to see Victor or one of his awful Masters. I had no idea when he was coming for us or what would happen when he did but his promise to see us soon kept echoing in my ears.

But nothing.

The corridor remained as black and as empty as usual. A rat scurried past, its long tail whipping behind it.

Sucking in a breath, I looked across to where Henri slept.

Only…he wasn’t asleep.

His gorgeous grey eyes locked on me, dull and full of pain but brimming with love and affection. “Hey…”

Licking my dry lips, I smiled. “I thought you were asleep.”

“I was.” Swallowing his groan, he shifted to sit upright. “But I felt your stress, and it gave me nightmares.” Leaning back against the frigid rock wall, he scrubbed his face with his hands. His nails were black with dirt and dried blood, his beard thick and hiding half his handsome face. A few threads of silver glittered around his mouth and temples, matching the silver in his eyes.

We’d all aged down here.

The perpetual dark seemed to march us far quicker into a grave.

Even the darkness within Henri hadn’t made him immune to the ravages of healing and hurt.

I knew he was older than me.

I knew he would only get more handsome with age.

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