Page 21 of Immortal Sins
Oz’s congenial voice blasts through the door. “Come in.”
The hinges creak open. A metallic taste clogs my tongue, and within seconds, I’m floating on air. An aftertaste of jasmine and lilies lingers at the back of my mouth. Angel dust. I’ve read enough about the plant to know its signature taste. The bastard must have enchanted it to hang in the air so it would reach me when I walked in.
“Is everything alright?” Oz pats the space next to him on the blue velvet couch. “Come. Sit.”
The compulsion to do as he asks is too strong to be ignored, and my legs obey of their own accord. My teeth grit together, and I force a sharp, painful breath down my lungs. The fresh gulp of air clears my foggy brain. Sweat pools at the back of my neck.
Oz’s inquisitive gaze collides with mine. “Answer my question truthfully.” The order scratches its long claws inside the ridges of my brain, but it’s not undeniable.
Deveraux’s cookies work, but I obey Oz and sit beside him, working hard to wipe the surprise and disgust from my face.
He blinks a few times. “Have you prepared what you’re going to say for the trial?”
“No,” I answer honestly.
“Do you trust me?” He tilts his head to the side. There’s no fake smile or forced warmth in his manner. A sharp wit shines in his gray stare.
My breath catches, but I sit still with my hands braced on my thighs. “I trust you, professor.”
“You’re a fascinating woman, Julia.” His gaze falls to my necklace, and he turns the emerald between his fingers. “How do you summon infernal magic?”
“I don’t know,” I lie.
“That’s unfortunate. Do you believe Mr. Desirys murdered the unicorn?” He rushes over the last word.
“Yes.”
He studies me for a moment.
My heart hammers in my chest. Can he tell that I’m lying? Should I engage with him more? Angel dust is supposed to lull me into compliance, but maybe I should act a bit more natural. I force my shoulders to relax and add, “Cole slept with my sister and killed Miss Eillis. I hate him.”
Blood drains from the professor’s face, and a trembling hand hovers over his brows. “I hate him, too.”
His reaction spooks me. Either Oz is still acting and knows that I’m not under his thrall, or he’s genuinely upset. He scoots closer.
I stop breathing.Fuck no!
But if I punch him, he’ll know for sure that I’m not under his control.
He leans in until we share breath, and his eyes flick down to my lips. “Do you find me attractive?”
“Yes.” Clearly, that’s the only right answer.
“Do you want me to kiss you?”
Hell to the fucking never.
“I—I—” No matter how much I want to play along, my tongue refuses to utter anything but curses.
He cups my cheek. “You have fire inside you. Just like me.”
Knots tug at my gut. It’s just one kiss, but it costs me every ounce of self-control I possess not to recoil when Oz claims my mouth.
He thinks he’s got me under his power. He could ask any question and hope to receive an honest answer, and yet seducing me, using me as a willing female, seems to be his one and only play. What kind of madness empowers him to behave this way? Isn’t he content with all the sex he has with my sister? What kind of twisted ego boost does this bring him?
Squeezing my eyes shut, I think of anything else but Oz—his lips, or his wandering hands. I focus on the fact that I’m not under his thrall, but about to rob him. The thought pushes me to reciprocate the kiss instead of merely suffering it. I’ll steal Oz’s most-prized possession. If I could only see his expression when he realizes what I did…
He pulls back, breathless. “You’re the rule breaker of the family. We’re rebels, you and I.” His attention turns to his signet ring. The Academy’s insignia burns bright red on it. “Fuck! Why now?”
