Page 81 of Touched By Darkness

“I think,” he starts, his eyes sliding down to my lips, “that you need to trust in yourself more.”

“Have you ever lost yourself to the darkness, Daemon?”

His dark wilderness clashes with mine. “No, not like that.”

My head slowly nods, and then I slide out from beneath the quilt and place my bare feet on the floor, careful not to step on any body parts. The congealed blood sticks to the soles of my feet as I pad to the bathroom.

“Little witch?”

I turn at the door.

“What’s your name?”

A breath escapes me as pain, unlike anything I’ve known, tears at my heart like that of countless hands, clawing, grabbing, piercing. Even now, Daemon doesn’t remember my name, and that realization hurts more than I can put into words.

Instead of replying, I offer him a gentle smile that I don’t feel on the inside. “I’m glad you’re healed, Daemon.”

Then I escape into the bathroom and shut myself inside. I can’t allow myself to fall apart. Not now. Not when Daemon is on the other side.

I press my forehead against the wood of the door and let my eyes fall closed. A few steadying breaths later, I turn to switch on the shower. While the water heats, I get undressed.

I take in my face in the mirror above the sink. There are streaks through the dried blood on my cheeks, and strands of my dark hair stick to my forehead and temples. I reach up and brush away the crusty strands. I don’t recognize this monstrous version of myself, this heinous, abominable creature that stares back at me.

Pushing off the sink, I step into the shower and tip my head back as the water pours over my face.

Maybe I should disappear before the darkness swallows me whole?

Before I hurt someone I care about.

A gasp leaves me when Daemon’s muscular arm slides around my bare waist and pulls me into his hard chest. His lips come down on my neck, kissing, biting, and punishing me until I can barely breathe. My nipples pucker as his scratchy beard marks my sensitive skin.

His dark voice rumbles in my ear, “You never told me your name, little witch.”

I slam my lips shut. For reasons unbeknownst to me, I want to keep that part of myself locked away.

Away from dangerous boys with sin at their fingertips and erotic promises in their dark gazes.

Boys with the power to destroy me if I’m not careful. Especially now when I’m already a victim of his love while also being a stranger to him. It’s a combination that’s hard to swallow. His touch is so familiar, so safe, and yet, his fingers explore my body as if for the first time.

As if he’s never lost himself in me.

As if he’s never brought me to my own destruction before gluing me back together.

“Tell me your name.” He shakes me.

“You once knew my name,” I whisper shakily.

Daemon stiffens behind me, but then he slowly turns me around and backs me up against the tiled wall, his hands on either side of my head. The water cascades over his broad, tanned shoulders, and more drips from his lips as he stares at me from beneath his dark lashes.

My wings flutter behind me as he leans in to whisper in my ear. “You know I like the hunt.”

Shivers splash down my spine.

“You want me to hunt you, little witch?”

I hold my breath when he leans back to look me in the eye. My heart smashes against my ribcage with closed fists that bang and slam and plead to be freed.

Daemon holds my gaze until my lungs burn and prick, and then he pushes off the tiled wall and cups my chin in a possessive grip. The kind of grip that lets me know he’s nowhere near done with me.

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