Page 170 of Eternal Ruin
Samson regarded her behind a thousand walls, but it was softening. Each one losing its fight against her influence on the house. But her finger strained, unable to keep tracing her symbol.
A little more.
Her finger locked on her, refused to draw. No. The wisps around Samson vanished.
“Where has Susenyos bit you?” he rasped, blinking awake.
“What?”
That anger returned, more thunderous than ever. Samson’s eyes colored black.“Where?”
Kidan didn’t have to fake the stammer in her voice. “My—my shoulder.”
His eyes shot to her shoulder with knee-trembling wrath. Still, his voice remained calm. “Where else?”
Kidan’s heart pumped in her throat. “That’s it.”
“He’s not a saint.” He clicked his tongue. “I know he’s done more. Tell me or I’ll assume the worst.”
She didn’t want to say her breast, so she said, “My thighs.”
Samson’s hands fisted, a show of power and threat.
His gaze dropped, grabbing her legs so roughly she was sure there’d be welts.
“Thighs… you looked into his sin. What did you see? Did you see him leave her behind like an animal?” he demanded with near manic desperation.
“No, I saw him turn you all into vampires and abandon you.”
He flinched like she’d slapped him. “That’s what he believes to be his worst sin?Leavingus?” His shout made her flinch. “We were vampires, we could survive. She was just a girl! A human girl he left behind!”
Kidan crawled away from him. He paced the room, speaking in low Amharic, a few curses here and there.
He stopped, his dark eyes traveling over her retreating form. Taj and Susenyos had to wake up soon.
If they didn’t…
“She was just like you, and he ruined her. I won’t let him ruin you.” The vow was violent, edged with all the makings of a downfall.
Before Kidan could understand, he had gathered her in his arms and vanished downstairs. The speed of it robbed her protest, the world broke away and came together in an instant when the solid outline of the couch slammed into her back. She cried out, blood climbing up her throat.
The dim flickers of flames told her they were in the lounge room.
She didn’t want to be here. This was their spot, Kidan and Susenyos’s, filled with their memories.
The house seemed to echo her thoughts. A shiver slinked down her spine and stayed there, spreading like a stain.
Samson grabbed the fire poker and worked through the coals, bringing the flames alive.
Biting down on her lips, Kidan moved her blackened fingers.
One more time.
She had to draw her symbol, enhance his trust one more time. Her finger was so stiff she was afraid it’d snap off. Tears built in her eyes but she pushed, completing the five corners of a pentagon. The golden threads returned.
Carefully, Kidan said, “Yos told me—”
“Don’t fucking call him that. Like he’s something precious to you.”
