Page 653 of Coal Hearts

Yanking me deeper onto the dance floor, he deliberately kept enough distance to avoid talking again.

I followed, the leash our only contact.

My mind raced as I studied his powerful back, his white shirt glowing pink, then green, then blue.

I longed to be in our room, hidden beneath our blankets, plotting war.

Last week, Henri had commanded the cleaning staff to teach us the schematics of this citadel. He regularly dropped me off at the jewel quarters before heading to the library under the guise of writing, leaving me an hour or two to go over the mental blueprints each of us were learning. With every whispered room, nook, and portico, Joyero slowly came alive in our minds, dotted with the bombs already hidden.

Some days, Peter would arrange dance lessons, using the talent he’d learned from a Latin exchange student at school to hide the fact that we needed to whisper so closely.

As each of us took turns dipping and swaying, we’d trade information on which guard seemed particularly disgruntled and those who looked like they could be turned.

Mollie also worked with one of the new boys, Carlos. Peter had told the new jewels about our ticking countdown a fortnight ago. A few had agreed to help. Others had huddled deeper into their terror. But Carlos—who’d been studying engineering—worked closely with Mollie, highlighting what walls and corners were load bearing and where best to place the next lot of presents.

Jerking me to a stop, Henri grabbed me around the nape and made me trip into him. “Remember...you say Khushi if I go too far, okay?”

My eyes flared before I nodded. “Do you think tonight might be bad?”

“I have no idea, but—”

“Ah, Henri!” Victor strolled toward us, gifting Henri a flute of champagne. Another man kept pace at Victor’s side. A younger, handsome blond who looked more at home in the surf than in a rapist’s nightclub on a hidden island.

Vic waved a hand at the man. “Travis here was just saying how I haven’t played Topaz Torment in a while. He’s keen. Are you?”

Henri stiffened and let me go.

I tripped a little, dropping my eyes like a good little jewel.

What the hell did Topaz Torment entail?

And just how badly would I be bleeding by the end of it?

“Sure.” Henri accepted the champagne and tossed it back in a single mouthful. “Sounds fun.”

“You don’t even know what the rules are yet, mate.” Travis smirked, his accent heavily Australian.

“I’ve learned that each of Vic’s games are well worth playing.” Henri pointed at the blue braille scar on my thigh. The sapphire dust glittered in the H branding me as his.

“Ah, you lucky duck. I’ve heard about Sapphire Scars.” Travis toasted Henri with his beer bottle. “Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure.” Nudging Vic with his shoulder, he grinned. “Fancy letting me scar Talia?”

Victor sipped his champagne. “Perhaps. For now, don’t be greedy. I’ve agreed to play Topaz Torment. How about be grateful for that, hmm?” Before Travis could reply, Victor smiled slyly. “Henri? If you’d be so kind and allow your jewel to come with me. We’ll get started.”

Henri’s energy pulled shadows from the nightclub, coiling around him like a typhoon. “Why do you need to take her?”

“You’re about to find out, aren’t you?” Victor reached for me.

Henri jerked my leash, making me trip into him. “I’d rather know before—”

“Henri.” Victor clucked his tongue. “Haven’t I been exceedingly accommodating to you? I’ve tolerated your little whispers and enjoyed watching you fuck her. But the matter still remains, I believe you’re in love with her. This little game will help—”

“I’m not fucking in love with her.” Henri crossed his arms, the leash in his hands cutting my collar into my neck. “I’m just obsessed with her.” His voice turned crude and crass. “She milks my dick real good, Vic. Is that a crime?”

“No of course not. But...I’m doing this for your benefit. I told you, my dear friend, you won’t be truly free until you’re cast from such human emotions. This might be the beginning of that freedom.” Tapping Henri on the cheek, Victor winked. “You’re still too close to that line of caring. Tonight, it’s time to give you another teeny, tiny push.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

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