Page 8 of Iblis' Affliction
“Shut up.” Shaking the mist of euphoria, Talha pronounced every word as clear as he could while zipping his pants. “Tonight, you will only talk when you are spoken to. Understand?”
The reaper didn’t reply, so Talha said, “I’m going to ask again, Slater. Did you go to London that night?”
Slater peered up, but instantly dropped his chin, hiding his eyes behind long lashes. Squatting by his side, Talha fisted his hair, forcing eye contact.
“Answer me.”
Full lips pressed together before stretching in a razor-sharp smile. “Yes.”
“Why did you disobey me? Did someone tell you to come back?”
“No one told Slater.”
The question ‘Did you betray me?’ burned Talha’s tongue, but he swallowed it.No, Slater wouldn't… There’s nothing in the world anyone could offer to win his loyalty.Unable to find the reason for disobedience, he asked,“Why?”
“Because Slater wanted to.” The dry words washed Talha in the coppery smell of blood.
“Is that so…” Taking a deep breath, Talha straightened up and cracked his finger joints. “Then I shall punish you so you don’t repeat this mistake ever again.”
Pulling back, he crashed his fist down onto the handsome face of his assassin.
LYING ON HIS SIDE,Slater’s body shook, as poignant sensation flowed through his veins, making him high. The power his master emitted messed with his mind. He lifted his upper body wanting to see the liquid amber of Talha’s eyes, but another slap whipped his head to the side, infusing a new dose of metallic taste into his mouth.
“I didn’t say you could look up, did I?” The measured voice sent a shiver down Slater’s body.
“Master...”
“Shut up.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Slater saw a flicker of leather glinting under the soft light. Acute pain bloomed under his ribs as Talha’s shoe connected with his chest. Air left his lungs, folding him into a fetal position. Forearms pressed to the soft carpet, he clung to his shattered vision, attempting to stop it from failing.
“Speak only if I tell you to.”
Gasping for air, Slater grabbed Talha’s ankle with both hands, postponing the next strike. Breathing in and out, he tried to contain the pulsing pain in his ribs that slowly transferred to his pounding head. He scooted up wanting to get onto his knees, but a ringing blow to the middle of his back from above sent him to the floor. His cheek kissed the soft texture of the red and white carpet.
“I’ll stop when you tell me the truth.” The voice sank deep into his consciousness, demanded he answer. “Why did you go to London instead of returning to Istanbul, as I ordered?”
Licking his bloody lips, Slater smiled, then linked his eyes with the dilated pupils of his master.
Master is so beautiful, so cold.The heavy clouds of power Talha emitted, cocooned him, making Slater feel warm, protected, safe, so he confessed. “I wanted to see Master…”
“Why?” Talha pressed.
“I missed Master.” Slater brushed his cheek against Talha’s shin. Leaning toward his foot, he kissed his black shoe.
“Is that so…” Something odd lurked behind Master’s voice, something that clenched Slater’s stomach and stopped his heartbeat. Concentrating, he replayed the intonation in his head, but the meaning eluded him.
Is Master mad?Digging his fingernails into the carpet pile, Slater strained his ears and tried to remember the last time Talha was angry to compare the emotion but couldn’t. It’d been a while since Master raised his voice. Lately, no matter how hard Slater tried, he never managed to make Talha lose his self-control. That was frustrating. Even the punishments Master delivered had been measured, controlled, cold-blooded. The bruises Master gave him never stayed longer than a few days, often making Slater feel like it wasn’t enough.
“Look up.”
Slater slowly raised his chin, expecting another blow to come any moment. It didn’t.
“Master?” His voice trembled with a deep, primeval need. Slater hoped that Talha would understand and help him. Only Master could hush the pain in his chest and calm him down. And Master did.
“Strip…”
The air hitched in Slater’s lungs as the order wormed under his skin. Hands trembling, he peeled the hoodie off, and cast it aside. His fingers struggled with the belt, undid the button. He jumped to his feet, pushed his jeans down along with his underwear, and fell to his knees. A heavy wall of arousal rushed from his lower belly up to his chest. Flooding his head, it wiped all thoughts from his mind, leaving only desire behind.
