Page 83 of Evil Hearts

“What do you mean?”

“I’m guessing you didn’t read the fine print.”

“I think you’re insane, or maybe I am.” Any minute now, I’m going to wake up from whatever this is.

Babe.

I told you to get out of my head and I’m not your babe. I don’t even know your name.

“Look, you’ve got no reason to trust me, but you were going to end up here one day. It’s better this way than the alternative.” He nods toward the ogres and their clubs.

“Point taken.”

“My name is Ruthless, by the way.”

“What kind of name is that?”

“Mine.” He rewards me with his charismatic smile that anywhere else would make my heart skip a beat. Does my heart even beat?

Answering my unspoken question, he places his palm over my left breast near the center of my chest. “It beats. You’re as alive here as you were in your world. If not more.”

“And your heart?” Does he even have one?

The corners of his mouth twitch as he takes my hand and holds it to his chest.

I’m never going to get used to you listening to my thoughts.

I’ve been doing it for years.

My pulse races as he holds my gaze.

I should fear him, but when he looks at me with those familiar eyes, I can’t.

“The first time you go through this portal, it’s going to make you sick.”

“How sick?”

“Maybe it’s better if I just…” he pulls me flush to his body with his shadow magic and I gasp at how easily he overpowers me.

“You haunted my dreams.”

“Yes.” His gaze zeros in on my mouth like he’s thinking about kissing me. “I’ve been waiting for you. I traveled through the fires of Hell for you when I heard your cries.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I really don’t want to explain this here.”

“Well, I have all the time in the world.” I fold my arms across my chest.

“An eternity.” He sounds flirty, but there’s no humor or light in his expression. “My father loves to play games. To pit my brothers and myself in competition against each other.”

“Why?”

“Entertainment for him and our mothers.”

“Mothers?” I raise a brow.

“Yes. My father has three wives.”

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