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Ruin gave her a quick nod and then returned his attention to me, dabbing at my forehead.
Denton recorded notes on his tablet and then placed it on the counter, the rolled-up sleeves of his coat revealing more dark, flawless skin. “Since the amulet was so close to the surface, it might be beneficial to take a small sample of Tate’s soul to examine the properties and possibly mix with the compound.”
“Would that be possible, Tate?” Ruin asked, his expression soft. “I won’t take much, and your soul will replenish in no time.”
A cold chill slinked down my spine at the thought of relinquishing any part of my soul. The memory of Karn tearing tiny sips out while he feasted on my horrible memories made me want to roll over and puke.
But Ruin was trying to do something good. And I owed a debt. “You can take some.”
“Marvelous.” Denton searched a cabinet for a glass container, passed it to Ruin, and then grabbed a large needle. “I’ll also collect a blood sample.”
I shook my head. “Can you tone down your enthusiasm, Denton? Being so excited about blood makes you sound like a vampire or a serial killer.”
He ignored my joke and took the empty vial Estella offered him.
Ruin leaned down, an eerie glow converging over his eyes. “I’ll be quick and make this as painless as possible.”
“Just hurry,” I gritted out. “Before I change my mind.”
The demon lord’s fingers rested on my face as he gently opened my mouth. His lips lowered, brushing mine as he breathed deeply.
My soul pulsated within me and dislodged from my body, floating forward. Unlike with Karn, no pain accompanied it. Warmth flowed through my veins instead. Maybe it was because I gave it freely, or maybe it was just Ruin.
A low hum vibrated his throat, and he shivered as he inhaled. Heat slinked over me, and I had the strongest urge to curl against him while his hands roamed my curves.
That sure as hell didn’t happen when Karn took my soul.
Ruin pulled back and put his lips to the rim of the glass bottle, his gaze never straying from mine as an iridescent mist poured into the container. “Thank you, Tate. This could make a difference.”
I nodded just as a tiny prick registered on my arm from the needle-happy Denton who stuck me. Exhaustion washed over me, and my lids fluttered closed. Chains rattled as someone, probably Ruin, removed them from my legs. He moved to the corner to speak with Nadia, but I couldn’t focus enough to decipher their words.
A few moments later, or it could have been longer if I’d fallen asleep, fingers massaged my temples and then slid to my forehead. I sighed and relaxed into Ruin’s touch while my mind drifted, letting him lull me into a tranquil state.
When my lids lifted, Denton, Nadia, Estella, and Ruin huddled around the counter on the right, still engrossed in their conversation.
My brows slammed together. Who the fuck was massaging my head?
“If you really think being in that much pain wouldn’t call me here, then you’re not paying attention.”
My focus snapped up as that rough, rumbling voice hit my ears. Fane Maverick stood over me, harsh lines cutting into his face as he glared, a severe contrast to his gentle touch.
“Sorry for the inconvenience,” I muttered, catching Nadia’s attention, but she quickly turned back to the discussion. Obviously, Fane was only here in spirit.
His nostrils flared as a string of curses tumbled out. “Do you have no threshold for pain? Will you let them continue no matter how much it hurts?”
Physical pain was always better than the emotional shit.
“I need the Infernal Sol out,”I said into his mind.“You’re the one who gave me to Ruin. What did you think would happen?”
“I thought the prick was good enough to have it out of you by now and without so much pain.” His Adam’s apple bobbed in the long column of his inked throat. “I didn’t expect him to be so lacking. Can’t he find a better witch than Nadia Kotzur?” A sneer flattened his lips.
My mind cleared a little more, and I felt for the talisman around my neck.“How are you here?”
Fane’s sneer turned into a crooked smirk as his fingers ran over the citrine stone. “Magic tricks won’t work on me, Teague.”
Son of a bitch. Nothing would keep this guy out of my head.
A dark voice in my mind reminded me that I’d wished for him not long ago.
