Page 38 of Fated In Ruin

“I apologize, Evangeline, that was unforgiveable,” he said softly. “Usually, when I am around you, I mute myself, so you are not…affected by my power. I slipped up, but it shall not happen again.”

“What do you mean you mute yourself?”

“We should get back to your magic,” he said firmly. “And the dangers of wielding such power.”

“I’d rather delve into why I felt like…” I squirmed. Telling Malachi I almost jumped his bones wasn’t productive right now. “Why did I feel like that?”

“Because I am ancient, and you are young, and it is best if I keep certain controls in place so not to unduly influence you.”

“Bullshit,” I hissed. “You’re not that noble and I’m in control of myselfat all times.” His brow arched.

I tipped my chin up. “I’ll prove it. Try that again, and I’ll show you…”

My mind went blank as my body liquified right down to my bones, turning into a pool of warm honey and raw nerve endings. I was moving before I even knew I’d gotten up, tugging Malachi’s shirt free, rubbing my hands up his warm, smooth chest, burying my nose in the hollow of his throat to taste his skin.

Fucking delicious.

His strong hands clasped my ass as he ground himself into me with a guttural groan, my body glowing like a newly forged star.Yes, deeper. Harder. More.

“No, Vicious, not when you’d regret this.” He stepped away, breathing hard as I pursued him across the room, some far off part of my brain horrified, but the rest of me totally on board with pinning him to that green couch and riding him like a cowgirl.

Then, like before, the heat, the desire, all slipped away, leaving me cold and panting, feeling like I was standing naked beneath a spotlight.And like a complete fool.

“This isn’t you,” he said gently, cupping my cheek like he was thinking of kissing me. “This is biology and hormones and blood, taking over logic and reason. Which is why I’ve always muted myself whenever I’ve been around you.”

“I don’t believe you,” I muttered, making no attempt to pull away.

“Believe me or not, it’s the truth.” He sighed. “I had so many plans, when it came to you, Vicious, but…hurting you was never one of them.”

“Well,” I grumbled, “It’s far too late for that.” I’d rather go back to fighting, than face whatever the fuck just happened. “Tell me why I saw faces when I used my magic against him? What was that?”

Malachi’s expression darkened, making him look almost inhuman for a heartbeat. “Ravok’s sins come to life, his innermost desires, his worst fears.”

“Sins? Worst fears?”

“This magic of yours…your story began eons ago.” His voice went quiet, barely more than a whisper. “For most of her life, Rhiannon was kept hidden, protected by someone Aoife trusted.” He pressed his lips together, a strangled expression twisting his handsome face.

“Her power was bound because her magic was too dangerous to ever be used, but if we’re going to stop Ravok, you will have to use yours, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

The fire wavered. Somewhere deep within the castle, a cold wind howled through the corridors, like the breath of something screaming beyond the veil and I wondered if I was the only one who heard it.

“The flames…turned into…people.” Before, the knowledge had been unsettling, now, the implications were terrifying. “And when Ravok saw them,” I said carefully, “that wasn’t something he was expecting. That’s a good thing, right?”

Malachi’s face remained carefully blank, not even a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

“Perhaps. We are fighting an Ancient who has already seen every outcome to every battle and had planned his response accordingly. If you’re right, and he was surprised…” Malachi’s brow furrowed. “Perhaps you are still useful.”

I shivered. Because I knew, with absolute certainty, that look of surprise on Ravok’s face had been tinged with something else—absolute greed.

17

EVANGELINE

I’d missed my check in by more than a few hours, and I clenched my hand to stop from shaking, then started typing.

Sorry, things got complicated. I’m fine. Found out some things. Not good, btw.

The screen glowed against the darkness, the only light in the all-black bedroom, except for the fire burning low in the grate, a pale orange glow heating the hearth. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating. I hated lying to Blake. But if he knew Ravok had been here, nothing would prevent him from rescuing me and once I was back at Crimson House…

---