Page 71 of Salem's Fall
“You’re right. You’re not.”
I can’t allow myself to fall for this man, no matter how much he makes my heart race. I’m not the kind of woman that believes in fairy tales and happy endings, not after everything I’ve seen in my life. A love confession from a man like Damien Blackhollow? And just a few days before he’s meant to sacrifice a fourth victim—a Tether, a woman like me—in order to ascend the Veil ranks? It all feels just a little too coincidental…
“Take me back to the Cottage,” I demand.
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re not going anywhere. Not until this is over.”
“You don’t get to make that decision for me.”
“Believe me, I wish I didn’t have to, but if it means keeping you alive, I’ll do whatever it takes.” His gaze sharpens, his voice now dropping to a dangerous whisper. “The Veil has something planned for you. It’s not safe for you out there. Not with Veil Night just a few days away.”
“A few days? How long have I been here?”
“Almost a week.”
My jaw drops.
“A week?”
“You’ve been in and out of it for days. Gave me quite the scare, but my doctors said it looked worse than it really was. That you just needed rest. But if you think for one second that I’m going to let anyone else try to harm you—” He stops himself, inhaling deeply, as if grappling with the intensity of his own feelings. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
“Oh, is that why I’m your prisoner? For my own protection?”I let out a sharp, disbelieving snort. “How convenient—locking me up just days before Veil Night.”
“Convenient is the last thing you are,” he mocks, his laugh bitter and low. “You’re reckless. Headstrong. The most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.” He takes a step forward, gaze burning into mine. “And yet, no matter what I do—no matter how hard I try—I can’t get you out of my fucking head.”
His hand comes up—slow, deliberate—and curls around the side of my throat, thumb resting just below my jaw. Not tight. Just enough to make me feel owned. He pulls me in until our faces are inches apart, his eyes dark and unreadable. For a beat, he just stares at me, like he’s trying to capture every detail. Like he’s at war with himself.
The air crackles, the magnetic pull between us undeniable. It’s not safe. None of this is safe. He’s dangerous, I know that. A man capable of things I can barely comprehend. But I can’t look away. A dark, twisted force draws me closer and closer even when I know I should run.
This isn’t some sweet, soft fairy tale. It’s messier. Twisted.
And God help me, I want it anyway.
My breath catches as his lips graze mine, a fleeting touch that sends a surge of warmth and fear spiraling through me. My hands find his chest, but instead of pushing him away like I know I should, I cling to him, pulling him in, letting myself get lost in the thrill of feeling his body against mine.
Before I know what’s happening, his hands tangle in my hair and his mouth crashes into mine in a fierce, searing kiss. A groan escapes him—low, guttural, like he’s been holding back for far too long and can’t anymore. His body presses against mine, all heat and tension and need, like he’s trying to memorize the way I fit against him.
For a brief, reckless moment, I forget everything but the feel of him. Lips touching. Tongues meeting deliciously. Breath tangling. My entire body explodes like I’ve been struckby lightning, like I’m on fire and am going to die, but it will be the most exquisite death anyone’s ever had. Never in my life have I been kissed the way this man is kissing me.
But just before I tumble completely off the cliff—past the point of no return—a sliver of reason cuts through the fog of my desire.
“No, we can’t…” I murmur against his mouth, breathless. “This is wrong…”
He jerks back slightly, eyes darkening—confused.
“James?”
“You… you’re dangerous, Damien.” I shake my head, my breath coming in shaky bursts. “You can’t just kiss me and expect me to ignore what I know about you.”
“Maybe I am dangerous,” he admits. “But I’m the only one who can keep you safe.”
“Safe? From what—from you? No, you’re as bad as Nick,” I say, my voice trembling. The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I’ve known this all along. Nothing about Damien is safe. “You’re just another man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.”
“Yes.” He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away. “I will.”
A cold chill slithers down my spine. His admission is a reminder of the darkness lurking within him, a darkness that no amount of chemistry and attraction or professed feelings can erase. He’s everything I should fear, everything I should run from. A man who bends morality to suit his needs, who doesn’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to reach his end goal—no matter how wrong.
A memory flickers in my mind—faint, but persistent.
