Page 41 of The No Good Irresistible Viscount Tipton
“Rightly so. Your exploit bordered on lunacy. Succeeding would have only made you a danger to society,” he said; the edge to his voice could have cut down to the bone.
The lash of temper had her recoiling. It was the first time he had shown any visible sign of anger toward her. “You make it sound as though I do not have a sensible thought in my head.”
“Oh, I consider you a highly intelligent female. There lies the problem.”
Insulted, she jerked her leg free and walked to the chimneypiece. Devona glared at the jovial porcelain angel grinning at her. “Doran is no longer your concern.”
Tipton came up behind her. “Not for long at any rate.”
She turned and found he had her neatly caged in his arms. “W-what will you do?”
“How much do you love Claeg, Devona? Is he worth the price you will pay?” He caressed her cheek lightly with the back of his hand. “You stood in this room once on a night very much like this and offered your soul as payment. Some call me a devil. I have decided I will accept your offer after all.”
“Which offer?” His closeness was confusing her. His eyes reflected and glinted like a dull silver blade in the firelight. This time when she shivered it was not out of excitement but rather out of fear.
“A choice, my lovely Devona. I get to keep you, and Claeg—”
“And Doran?” she prompted.
“He gets to take my place as the walking dead.”
