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Kain

My load spills into the condom as a shudder runs down my spine.

Lacey expels a satisfying sigh as I pull out and she sags onto the bed. When my mind finally comes back down to earth I swiftly clamber off her, sliding the latex off before tying it and launching it into a small bin to join the other old, used condoms. And like a routine, it lands right inside.

This is one of the spare rooms buried deep inside the castle, cleaners don’t come around here—no one does—so it remains a safe place to complete our exchange, away from prying ears, my family, and less chances of being caught.

I work to zip my jeans back up as she shuffles around in the background, hopefully getting herself dressed again. Turning to the mirror, I fix my hair back to a middle parting. My bloodshot, hazel eyes and dark circles are the daily view now, sleep hasn’t been my friend for years, but the little baggie being held hostage by Lacey has.

I blink, dragging my thoughts to the present rather than letting myself enter that void of nothing.

It’s done.

She hums. “That was so good.”

Her usual comment right after I give her what she wants.

Unfortunately, she also has something I want and is the only person who can supply it. Her lackeys are too afraid of stepping foot into Blackcastle, and most won’t interact with anyone from here. Fear of being dragged into the cult? Maybe.

I spin to grab my T-shirt from the side of the bed where she’s sprawled out, short, ginger hair messy, and exposing herself to me, which causes me to slap a hand over my eyes. “God, Lacey, put some clothes on.”

“What?” she squeaks. “You were just inside me, do I somehow gross you out now?”

Yes. “No. It’s just… I have to be at the church”—I check my bare wrist—“in about twenty minutes.”

Arms crossed and face twisted, she grunts. “Kain, we’ve been sleeping together for four years now and you don’t even have the decency to make love to me in your room?”

Make love. I snort. “I told you this wasn’t going to mean anything. And if we get caught by the clergy, we’re fucked.”

I refrain from mentioning that the only reason I do this is because those are the rules she laid down. She got bored of simple money transactions after a few short months because she wanted me, and I was a teenager desperate for my next hit. Desperate to drown out the constant noise of failure. Plus, it made me numb to the beatings. Naturally, Heath started questioning where all my money was going. “Church donations,” I told him. Though, I highly doubt he believes it. Not that he has anything to question anymore since there’s only one thing this parasite will accept.

Brown eyes narrow. “Since when do you care what the clergy thinks?”

My teeth grind as I swipe my jacket off the floor by her feet. I don’t—I never have. I’m one of the few who has my eyes wide open to the corruption of this town. Lacey included. All she’s after is money and sex, sex with me—all the things that are highly unethical for a woman in Blackcastle.

“Blackcastle won’t allow it until we’re married.”

“So, let’s get married now, then.”

Holding out an expectant hand towards her naked body, my own crawling with disgust with the aftermath of this event—as always. She growls before snatching her discarded jeans off the floor. She rummages through every pocket until she finds what I’m waiting for. Slapping a mini plastic bag with small green clusters inside into my hand, she jumps up off the bed and begins dressing herself.

I don’t linger, I head straight for the door and head down the darkened, stone hall, dying to put distance between us.

“I’ll see you at church, then!” she calls after me.

Shaking my head, my eyes clash with one of our cleaners who stops dead in her tracks when she rounds the corner and sees me. She’s not supposed to be here. The box she’s carrying drops, and an echo bounces off the walls which causes her to flinch, hands flying to her chest.

“What are you doing?” Lacey peeks her half naked body out of the room, her face twisted into annoyance. She spots the maid and her expression drops.

So much for not caring what the clergy thinks.

I kneel in front of the maid, grab the box and then stand to face her, placing it back into her open arms. Looking pointedly behind me then back to the frightened maid, I keep my voice low. “You do not utter a word about this.”

She frantically nods, pure fear lingering in her eyes as if I’ve just threatened her entire family. Maybe to her I have, but I’m definitely not the person she should be fearing. I guess influence does have its benefits sometimes.

“Get dressed, Lacey, and go home,” I snap before stalking away and up the stairs to leave.