Page 110 of Dark Seduction

Dorian’s blood turned to ice.

“May I speak plainly?” she asked.

“I’d prefer it.”

Isabelle let out a deep sigh, then shook her head, as if she herself didn’t want to believe whatever came next. “Charlotte… She’s demon touched.”

“Demon…what?” He blinked at her, trying to follow. “What does that even mean?”

“It’s a claim, essentially. I can sense it in her energy field.”

“I still don’t understand. Does this have something to do with your empathic gifts?”

“Yes. I read emotional energy, which comes through your heart, your mind, and your soul. Feelings, intentions, thought forms… I don’t get specifics, as a mind reader might. Just general impressions. And with Charlotte, the energy of her soul…” Isabelle frowned.

“Isabelle, you’re mistaken.”

Again, she shook her head. “There’s no mistaking the mark of the demon touched, Dorian. It’s almost like a dark shadow—a mark on her soul. I’m sorry.”

“What the bloody hell does that mean?” he shouted, jamming a hand through his hair.

“It means that at some point in her life Charlotte was promised to a demon lord. And judging from the strength of the mark, the end of her term is nearing. It won’t be long now before he comes to collect.”

Promised to a demon lord? It won’t be long before he comes to collect?

Dorian shook with rage, his fangs descending, the familiar hunger rushing into his veins.

I’d like to see him try…

He glared at Isabelle, outrage turning his vision red.

“Why are you standing here blathering on about this?” he shouted. “Get rid of the bloody thing!”

“The mark is bound to her soul. If I so much asattemptto manipulate it, magically or otherwise, it will kill her. If she dies, her soul goes to hell, and her body becomes a demonic vessel. If she lives, her contract comes due, and the demon comes to claim her, to do with as he sees fit. There isnoway out of this.”

She took a step closer and placed a hand on Dorian’s arm, her eyes full of a compassion he didnotwant to see. There was no need for such sentiments. Not in regard to Charlotte. This story about the demon mark…No. Dorian had never heard of such a thing.

He said all of this out loud, again and again, his mind spinning, searching for a way to tear the bloody heart out of this fucking nightmare.

Yet still, the witch looked at him, her eyes glassy in the firelight, unwavering in her relentless concern.

“This is her fate, Dorian. There’s not a damn thing you or I or anyone else can do to save her.” Isabelle reached up and touched his chest, a tear glittering on her cheek. “Charlotte D’Amico belongs to hell. I suggest you make peace with that and say your goodbyes.”

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