Page 11 of God Touched

"Hmm, might borrow it sometime," Imogen said under her breath and quickly put more pastry in her mouth. Arawan only laughed, which pissed her off even more.

"We aren't enemies, darling. We are hunting the same prey. Hafgan will strike. It is only a matter of time. When it happens, you might like having me as an ally," he said smoothly.

"And you want an alliance?" Kian asked.

"I wouldn't be here otherwise. It might have been thousands of years since I dwelt amongst the living, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to see Hafgan slaughter everyone."

"What can you tell us about him?" Bayn asked. "If he turns up, what is the best way to deal with him?"

"The best way is to call me and stay out of the way," Arawan replied. "Understand, princeling, you are all impressive and powerful, but you are nothing compared to Hafgan. He might be hidden from my view now, but it won't be for much longer, and you will need my aid."

"And we will be honored to have it, my lord," Kian said with a respectful bow of his head. "If there is anything you require that we can provide to help you in your hunt for Hafgan, you only need to ask."

"Imogen Ironwood," Arawan answered. Imogen's fists clenched around her knife.

"Excuse me?" Bayn said, the temperature in the room dropping a few degrees.

Arawan's face was the picture of civility. "You asked what I need, and I have answered. I require Imogen Ironwood. She can be a liaison between us, and she can assist me in navigating these interesting times I find myself in."

"I don't want to, and you can't make me," Imogen snapped.

Arawan's eyes flared in amusement, and he laughed softly. "Oh, I definitely can."

Kian paled. "My lord, I don't think—"

Arawan's cane cracked against the floor, silencing them. "There is also the small matter of the life debt she owes me. Isn't that right, Imogen?"

Two life debts, actually.

Everyone stared at her in horror, except for Arawan, who looked like a wolf in a room full of rabbits.

"It's true. Charlotte and Reeve can confirm it," she said between clenched teeth. She folded her hands on the table, trying to keep her temper in check. "And what exactly would acting as a liaison for you entail?"

"Come and stay with me. I need my liaisons close at hand to pass messages through to their people," Arawan replied. He smiled at the princes. "If you need the reassurance, I swear she will not come to any physical harm in my care."

Physical. What about psychological or spiritual? Arawan's gaze moved back to her as if reading her mind.

"You will be well tended to under my care and protection."

"Is that so?" Imogen crossed her arms. She was frightened and fascinated in equal measure. She might finally be able to get answers to the questions she had about why dying had felt so good and why she had been obsessed with the afterlife ever since.

Arawan was the personification of all of her unhealthy obsessions—death, sex, and violence. It was what frightened her the most.

"I will swear a blood oath if I need to." Arawan's grip tightened on the top of his cane.

"Yes, thank you, I'd like that, seeing how I will be the one that is going to be left alone with your court full of wolves," Imogen snapped. She held out a hand to Bayn. "Dagger, please, bro."

Bayn passed it over. They knew when they were outmaneuvered, and theyneededArawan. Imogen had known it weeks ago and had been willing to die to get a message to him about Hafgan. She wouldn't chicken out now.

Imogen moved over to where Arawan sat, a king on a throne. He widened his legs slightly as she approached. The slight suggestive move made her grip on the dagger tighten. She ran the blade's tip over her thumb before offering the knife to him.

"Swear it," she said, staring him right in the eye. "Swear if I become your liaison that you will protect me until my debt has been repaid."

Arawan cut his thumb until silver ichor welled. "I promise I'll protect you, Imogen Ironwood. I'll care for you like you belong to me."

"What—" she began, but Arawan was already pressing his thumb to hers. His eyes gleamed with triumph as he stared up at her. The bond curled around her hand and up her arm, the feel of his power swamping her. It had all the finality of death, burned like heat and ice, and then it was gone leaving her heart pounding and an ache between her thighs.

What the fuck was that?Imogen was shaking and didn't know how to stop.

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