Page 85 of Touched By Darkness

DARIANA

Daemon took the girl back to his place. She’s currently seated on the couch in the living room, right at the edge, as if she’s preparing to flee any second. The boys are spread out, watching her like a juicy meal or a puzzle to figure out. Maybe the mystery is what makes her so alluring.

I’m not so easily fooled. She charmed me at the beginning, but then Daemon was stabbed, and now I don’t trust her.

Though, I can’t stop staring.

So this is what the enemy looks like? Masquerading with dark wavy hair that cascades down her back, big doe eyes that scan the room’s occupants uncertainly, and the softest looking lips you’ve ever seen.

Soft, pillowy lips you can’t help imagining biting into and a hot mouth you want to fill up with your fingers.

If only to make her gag and choke.

My tongue slides over my freshly applied lipstick while I imagine myself dirtying her up a bit.

The thing about this girl is that she has an aura of innocence about her, but it’s a cruel, wicked deception. Especially after I’ve seen the evidence of the monster that resides behind those dark eyes. She’s the most dangerous predator. A carnivorous plant you should stay away from.

It makes sense why Amenadiel would utilize a girl like this angel. She’s deadly but embodies innocence and purity as though it’s a part of her, some forgotten artifact hidden deep within the corners of her soul.

And you ache to step into her shadows and wander deeper and deeper to discover her secrets and dust off their corners. But it’s a trap.

In order to dismantle it, we first need to figure out just how involved she is with Daemon’s uncle and how far he has dug his claws into her smooth skin. And there’s no better way to destroy an enemy than to entrap it.

With that thought in mind, I soften my glare, rise from my seat, and slowly walk up to her. She looks so innocent, so wary, and so fucking unsure that it calls to something inside me.

“Don’t break me further unless you’re willing to pick up the pieces.”

That’s exactly what I want to do. Break her into countless fragmented pieces and scatter them on the wind.

There will be no redemption.

“Dari…” There’s a warning in Daemon’s voice when I walk around the back of the couch and glide a single finger over her shoulders, from her left to her right.

I ignore him, far too entranced by the goosebumps erupting in the wake of my touch.

Grabbing a handful of her hair, I yank it and force her to expose the tanned column of her neck to the men in the room.

Unable to resist the pull to get lost in her, I lean down and breathe in the stench of deception and the far more dangerous scent of vanilla beans and morning mist.

She visibly shivers and attempts to turn her face in my direction, but I tighten my grip on her hair to keep her frozen while I drag my nose over the slender curve. “I can smell your secrets.”

“I don’t have any.”

I pull harder and sharper, forcing her to crane her neck at an awkward angle. “Bullshit!”

“I’m not lying.”

My chuckle is cruel, lacking warmth. “We’ll see about that.” I move around the couch and slow to a stop in front of her as my eyes slide down her body. “If you have nothing to hide, then take your clothes off.”

“Wha-at?”

“Strip.”

Her throat jumps, and she looks to the others for help, but her gaze soon returns to me when I snap my fingers.

“They won’t help you.”

Behind me, Daemon chuckles behind his closed fist, his elbow on the armrest. My own lips twitch in response.

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