Page 656 of Coal Hearts

“What she is?”

“You said you’ve become the darkness. Which makes me so incredibly happy to hear. I admit you seem far more content these days. But...how do you see her? ‘And she is my...’?” He raised an eyebrow. “What were you going to write before I stupidly interrupted?”

Placing the laptop onto the side table complete with a figurine of a hedgehog, I shrugged. “Guess you’ll never know. That’s the price you pay for reading over my shoulder.”

“Spoilsport.” He chuckled and ran his fingers along one of the dust-free shelves.

My heart kicked as I flicked a look at a section of books where I’d planted one of Rachel’s and Mollie’s presents in the limited-edition shadows last month.

I hadn’t wanted to do it.

Frankly, I thought they were still wasting their time and playing with fire (literally), but...I was all in on our war, and if they wanted me to help plant useless bottles with homemade wicks and dodgy chemistry, I wouldn’t argue.

As long as I kept distracting Victor and gave him no reason to look at the security feed, they would go unnoticed. Even if the bombs didn’t go off, we could use the substances to splash over the carpets and curtains, adding fuel to the fires I intended to set on D-day.

“Do you celebrate Halloween, Henri?” Victor finally stopped pacing and faced me.

“Never. Why?”

“I’m hosting a soiree that night. Only intimate, of course. Nothing too grand. A few of my favourite guests is all. Luckily, events off my island detain many of my friends with their own families, and each year I host a special ceremony for the trusted few I actually like.”

“Sounds fun.” I smirked, ignoring the warning prickles down my spine.

“Oh, it is. Most enjoyable.” He smiled. “However, I’m undecided on a theme. Past years I’ve dabbled with witches and warlocks. The trope of vampire and maiden has been done far too often. As has the devil and his sacrifice. I want to do something different this year. Do you have any suggestions?”

Climbing to my feet, I snagged the laptop and tucked it under my arm. “None, sorry. I don’t really have the imagination for party events.”

“You have plenty of imagination, my friend.” Victor snickered. “I’ve only read a few paragraphs of your book, but I must say, I’m very intrigued to read more.”

I drifted toward the door.

I needed Ily.

Being in the library with Vic reminded me of our very first day here. The hope in her eyes as she asked if I was a cop. The heat in her skin as I spanked her with a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo.

My cock swelled.

I subtly rearranged it.

I’d intended to leave her in the jewel quarters for the afternoon, but fuck it.

I couldn’t relax unless she was near.

Victor followed me as I strode in black flip flops, jeans, and a grey cable-knit jumper through the archway and into the chilly stone corridor. “No suggestions at all? Come now. You’re far better at this than I am.”

“Told you.” I threw him a look. “Not a party planner.”

“I know. But...” He bumped his shoulder with mine as we walked toward the heart of his citadel. “How about Lycans and...something? Or fae and...?” He snickered. “Some sort of monster perhaps? We could order in some more toys to play with. Perhaps even put on a show?”

Fighting my reaction to get away from him, I forced myself to be friendly. Stopping as we entered the large airy foyer, I smiled. “Do you even need a theme? All your games are epic, Vic. You’re the one with the great imagination for this sort of stuff, not me. I mean...” I whistled under my breath. “Amethyst Anguish that we played last week? Fuck me, that was hot.”

“Oh you liked that, did you?” He tapped his nose with a conspiratorial smirk. “I must admit, I came up with that playing with one of my previous favourites about eight years ago. A beautiful little submissive called Skye. She was so timid, so shy. I think a part of me fell for her—I’m a sucker for the fragile. One night, she seemed a little...tired from our previous excursions, so I decided to be nice for once. I teased her with feathers, flower petals, that sort of thing. She slowly grew so relaxed and dreamy, she no longer even knew I was there.”

His eyes flashed. “I didn’t like that, of course. I wanted her to be aware I was the one giving her pleasure instead of drifting off. So...I hit her with a cane.” He laughed. “She came back to earth with a bang, let me tell you.”

I nodded along, eyes wide with fake respect and awe. “It was definitely a power trip. Ily did the same thing.”

“I was watching you while I played with Rachel. I did notice your little nightmare was a sobbing, soaking mess by the end of it.” He grinned. “What did you use again?”