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“Not the point, Teague,” Fane said, his muscles twitching as his beast tried to surface.
Could he shift in his phantom form? Would his body do the same, wherever he really was right now?
“I was only trying to help, Lord Ruin.” Nadia brushed glass off her shirt and plucked a few pieces out of her mussed copper ponytail. “I thought if I could make a small cut, the stone might be more inclined to emerge.”
There was nothing sexy or humorous about the demon lord’s smile this time. “I am not paying you to go against my wishes. I said no harm or permanent damage, and you disobeyed. There are consequences.”
“Kill her, Ruin,” Fane demanded like the demon lord could hear him. “Tell him to kill her, Teague.”
“No one’s killing anyone,” I blurted, forgetting that no one else could see or hear Fane.
Ruin angled his head in my direction. “I didn’t say I was going to kill her.”
“You were getting there.” I struggled into a sitting position, wincing and choking back a dozen groans. “The spell didn’t work. Again. Let’s just move on and try something else.”
Denton cleared his throat. “I would have to agree with Ms. Teague.” He lifted his palms as Ruin turned his frosty glower on him. “So far, Nadia has been the closest at connecting to the Infernal Sol. We can’t throw away all of her progress and involve another witch. Using memory charms and compulsion to make them forget isn’t easy.”
“We should continue searching for other techniques.” Estella pointed to a tray with a prepared needle and tube. “I think it’s best to get a blood sample while the Infernal Sol is so active.”
Fane shook his head. “Nope. Kill the bitch.”
I rolled my eyes.“Your opinion doesn’t matter. No one can hear you but me.”
Ruin glared at the witch, his jaw ticking as he mulled over his options. “Fine. She can live. For now.”
Nadia swallowed hard at his final words. “Thank you, Lord Ruin.”
“Gather your things and get out of my sight before I change my mind.”
She zoomed around the lab to collect her candles, grimoire, bowl, and other magic equipment, her hands trembling and cheeks white as a sheet.
Ruin motioned toward the alchemists. “Collect your sample.”
Denton grabbed the tray and hurried toward me. The gleam in his eyes made me believe he liked playing around with my blood too much. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d tasted it.
“It’s been a rough day for you.” Ruin dragged his hand through his navy locks, brushing them back from his sharp, chiseled face. “How about you come to my private quarters, and I’ll bring you some food.” He smiled. “Maybe we can have a drink together.”
“I could definitely use a drink after that,” I said, wincing as Denton stuck the needle into my arm.
Fane glared at Ruin as if he could kill the demon lord with a deadly look. “His seduction game has already started, Teague. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up in his bed tonight.”
ChapterFive
Ruin handed me another bourbon,and I chugged half of it. Fane was right. This seemed less like a prison now that the demon lord had returned. In fact, as his electric blue gaze lingered on me with way too much desire, this felt like a date.
Thankfully, the Tempest Miserae potion finally dissipated, and I could eat the dinner Ruin brought for us.
Ruin’s private apartment on the third floor was decorated just as flashy as the rest of the house. Plush gray carpet, the kind that would feel good between your toes, with a scarlet stripe down the center stretched across the few steps to a fancy dining table. Two tufted leather couches and a chair sat around an oversized black marble fireplace. The heavy drapes framing the floor-to-ceiling windows—tied back with thick, gold ropes—probably cost more than my entire wardrobe at Corvin Manor.
I set my drink on the long glass coffee table and covertly slid another inch away from Ruin on the leather couch. “Have you had any time to look into breaking my link with Fane?” I couldn’t feel him, but I wouldn’t put it past the bastard to be lurking around somewhere, blocking his presence while he spied on me.
Ruin’s long finger reached forward and drew my hair away from my neck to study the mark Fane had given me. “In our world, tattoos can be very powerful. Fane was born with most of his.”
Goose bumps popped over my skin as Ruin’s warm breath, scented by bourbon, flowed over my neck. “Well, I didn’t ask for either of mine.”
“I’m certain Fane didn’t mean to give you this.”
“No, but he sure as hell meant to bite and turn me.” I’d never come to terms with what he did. I’d rather be dead.
