Page 22 of Iblis' Affliction
Slater giggled. “No… Slater doesn’t need money. Slater can’t be bought, but Slater can be owned.”
“What do you want then?”
“Everything: your soul, body, life, and devotion. Betray me, and I’ll kill you. Disgrace yourself, and I’ll kill you. Fear anything, and I’ll kill you. Get weak, and I’ll kill you. Rules are simple, Talha.” Iblis’ breath touched his face, as the younger man got to his toes and leveled their eyes. Their faces so close, Talha could feel the warmth of Slater’s skin with his chest. “Are you scared yet?”
“Why would I be?”
“Huh? You are funny. Fine. I’ll follow you. But there will be no escape from the deal. And the price is steep, Master. I belong to you, but you, Master, belong to me.”
The word ‘deal’ escaped Talha’s lips, and he hoped he wouldn’t live to regret his hasty decision.
PRESENT
ICE AND FIRE FLOGGING HIS BODYkicked him out of sleep. Muscles contracting, he gasped for air, but the stripe of duct tape prevented his mouth from opening. Subduing the first rush of panic, he drew in a long breath. Eyes blinking the water off, he managed to lift his upper body and look around. Water cascades rushed down his sides. Cold pools gathered in the indents of his stomach. Ice cubes littered the floor; some remained on his belly. His gaze stumbled over black pants, traveled up the strong hips and stomach, before reaching the head, tilted to the side.
“Morning shower, Talha.” Slater sniggered. Standing on Talha’s left, he put the tin bucket aside. An acute smile split his face with a white line of his pressed lips. Squatting down, he ran his long fingers over Talha’s belly, flicked several ice cubes off on his wake, then leaned closer and blew at Talha’s skin, chasing the remaining droplets off his navel. “How was your wedding night with Hanim? Did you make her happy?”
Talha growled. All blood vessels in his body shrunk, and the bone-deep chill he had been fighting all night rushed down his spine and reverberated with a splitting headache. Body shaking, he pierced Slater with a murderous stare, but the younger man didn’t seem to notice.
“How did you sleep?” The electric gaze grazed Talha’s skin, as the ripper gave him a once over. Slater’s throat bobbed, and his hot palm landed on Talha’s cold stomach. Talha tensed as all his senses edged under the touch, seeking, absorbing the drops of Slater’s warmth. “Or were you too busy with Hanim to sleep?”
Talha didn’t respond.
“You don’t look very happy. Didn’t you enjoy yourself?” The frown on Slater’s face morphed into understanding. “Oh, right. Stupid me. How could you enjoy yourself if your hands are tied and Hanim doesn’t have them at all?”
Pressing an elbow against his knee, Slater propped his chin upon his palm and chewed on his lip.
“What to do?” he wondered. His beautiful features transformed into a demonic mask. “Let’s make a deal, shall we? Kiss Hanim like a bride, fuck her mouth like you mean it, and I promise I will let you go.”
Are you insane?Talha tried to repeat his mental question, but only “Agrh ugh ighsharh?” ripped through his throat.
Slater’s lips twitched in a poorly concealed grin. His fingers sank into the platinum mess of Camilla’s hair as he hoisted her head and brought it to his face.
“What? She is still pretty, isn’t she? Smells a little bit off, but well, it shouldn’t stop true love.” The back of his index finger brushed against Camilla’s slack face, outlining her cheek and chin. Giving her a weird look, Slater pecked her on the forehead. “So, you have the choice, Talha. Either you make love to your beloved Hanim, or you are going to face a long and agonizing death by my hand.”
Talha faced away.
“What would it be, Talha?” Camilla’s head entered Talha’s field of vision. Dark spots colored the cheek that had pressed to the ground, and an unbearable stench of death crawled up his nose, turning his stomach. Grabbing her chin with his free hand, Slater mimicked her voice and moved her jaw up and down. “Kiss me, Talha, or am I not pretty anymore?”
The spiteful insult whacked Talha’s head back to the glacial eyes. An impetuous blood rush slamming into his head wiped every thought and erased the corners of the room. An animalistic roar broke out of his throat, and he yanked the ropes, again and again, until his wrists burned.
He was mad at Slater for killing Zaal, Camilla, and her people, but it wasn’t the first time Slater had slipped out of his grasp, so Talha counted times like this as his own failures. He wasn’t particularly furious about Slater kidnapping him, and, eventually, he would be able to forgive him the rape. But this wasUNFORGIVABLE.
SLATER’S INSIDES BOUNCED.Shrinking and expanding with building up energy, they pulsed and trembled, forcing his body into a constant movement. It was harder and harder for Slater to stay put by Talha’s side.
Choose this bitch. Come on, choose her! Pure, agonizing hatred storming in his chest, he shoved the severed head into Talha’s face, forcing the choice upon him.
Talha betrayed Slater. Talha got weak. Talha should die…But no matter how many times he repeated it in his head; he couldn’t bring himself to finish off the man. The air was potent with emotion, but unlike the sour taste of fear, this was spicy, hot, bitter. This wasn’t fear but all-consuming rage. Rage that burned out the oxygen from Slater’s lungs, making him weak.
Not good…He had no problems with killing his previous masters once they brought disgrace upon themselves or showed any weakness, then why couldn’t he kill Talha?Talha is the worst. Talha chose a woman over Slater. Talha submitted to a pussy. Slater should kill him!
Locking his gaze with Talha’s, Slater felt the overpowering effect the amber eyes always had over him. The unbending will the man emitted absorbed into his skin, demanding he submit. Even now, beaten up, abused, and raped, Talha didn’t sink in despair, intensifying the burning ache in Slater’s chest. Talha didn’t break down, didn’t beg, didn’t tremble in fear.
Master should suffer. Master should drown in disgrace, then Slater can kill him.
“Make your choice, Master, or I will make it for you. What will it be?”
But Talha did nothing to indicate his decision. Swaying right and left, the head stayed by Talha’s face for another minute. Slater realized that Master had never spared Camilla even a fraction of attention. Once again, Master looked only at him. With loathing, with hatred, but his focus was on Slater.
