Page 61 of Coal Hearts

“So I’m right?” Ily grinned, slightly unhinged and kind of terrifying. “Thought so. I happen to have a National Trust pass, which I give a thrashing almost every weekend. I love visiting old places, walking in their halls, and staring into cabinets full of old gems. It’s a snapshot of what society treasured back then, but...what I love most is their history. I’ve seen almost every ruin, fort, and castle, and this? ....Well.” She shrugged. “It’s a fine attempt at capturing yesterday’s magic, but it’s still just a spoiled half-breed.”

What

the

fuck?

Who was this girl?

How was she calm enough to string two sentences together, let alone stand up to the men who’d entrapped her?

My chest swelled with respect all while it blackened with the very real, very sick desire to claw at her confidence, shred her self-worth, and earn crystal tears of submission.

I want her.

The thought slapped me around the head.

I’d wanted her the moment I saw her, but that burn was nothing compared to the incineration I felt now.

Silence blanketed us heavily. The eyes of the many writhing sexual partners on the walls peered at us. My hands balled and quads tensed, ready to throw a punch if Victor struck her for her deliberate insolence.

You can’t.

Remember?

Even though my body itched to protect her from the shitstorm she’d created, I forced myself to unlock my muscles and take a step back. She’d gotten me into this place, but I wasn’t a member yet. All I had to do was keep up the ruse until I could figure out how to bypass whatever signal-scrambling technology Victor had. Then my brother could swoop in and kill these bastards before I did something unforgivable.

Tension bit at my skin as Roland suddenly burst out laughing. Loud and obnoxious, his voice echoed in the massive space. “Holy shit. I think I’m in love with you.” Marching to Ily, Roland grabbed her cheeks and yanked her into him. He groaned as his lips descended on hers, kissing her all while she slammed her hands on his chest and shoved him hard.

He stumbled backward, his nails leaving red tracks on her cheeks as she spat a glob of spit on the tile. “Get your disgusting mouth off me.”

Roland just snickered and looked at Victor. “You do know what you’ve got here, right?”

Victor stilled and rubbed his chin. A nasty glint appeared in his gaze. “Enlighten me, Roland...what do I have here?”

Ily shot me a glance, fear finally making an appearance on her innocent, dangerous face.

I shook my head just once.

She’d well and truly fucked up now.

Roland stalked around her, running a finger up her arm, across her shoulders, and down her other arm. She shuddered but didn’t move, common sense screeching to be careful.

Tapping the cuff on her wrist, he said, “You have jewels of every colour and facet, Master Jeweler. You have some that bleed, some that break, and some that bow and take whatever we give without complaint. My favourite of your jewels, Mollie, has a bachelor’s in quantum physics, for goodness’ sake. Your slaves aren’t drugged or diseased, like some. They’re perfect in every way, but this one?” He snatched a handful of Ily’s shoulder-length inky hair. “This one is special.”

“Fuck off,” Ily hissed, trying to extract herself from his hold.

“She certainly has...passion,” Victor murmured, never taking his eyes off Ily. He stared at her as if she were an exotic bird. A bird he didn’t know if he wanted to place in a cage or rip her wings off.

“Passion?” Roland groaned and grabbed his cock through his pants. “Merde, she’s dripping in it. I can taste it from here.”

“Roland,” I growled. “If anyone is tasting anything, it’s me.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He let himself go and cupped Ily’s cheek, holding her in a two-fisted grip. “You can get first fuck, but I want to be the first to take her into the snuffbox.”

Ice solidified in my gut.

Snuffbox?