The Darkest Touch (Lords of the Underworld 11)

“I’m in and out of it. There’s a Sent One, Axel, who is determined to chat with me, and he’s been following me. I’m determined not to chat with him, which means I can’t stay in one location for long.”

Sent Ones. Winged warriors who lived in the skies. Slayers of demons and somehow the allies of the Lords. “Here’s an idea. Why don’t you just kill Axel?”

“I have my reasons.” William waved his hand through the air, dismissing the topic altogether. “Hades wants Keeleycael back. You know that, right?”

A muscle twitched under Torin’s eye. “I know. He can suck a pair of hairy balls. She’s mine.”

William rolled his eyes. “Are you embarrassed? Because I’m embarrassed for you. She’s mine,” he mocked. “It’s sad how whipped you are. How all of you are. Why don’t you warriors gently remove your tampons and pretend to be men.”

Torin banged his chest like a gorilla. “Hey, stop me if you’ve heard this one...Gilly.”

Instant mood killer. A tension so sharp and thick even Torin could feel it radiated from the man.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” William said. “I’m her generous benefactor and she’s my ungrateful dependent. I’m a...father figure.” His voice snagged on the last two words, becoming nothing but a growl.

Torin grinned at him. “Deny, deny, deny, is that it?”

“Shut up.”

“Dude, I hope I’m best man at your wedding.”

* * *

KEELEY AWOKE WITH a jolt, gasping and sitting up, thousands of thoughts seeming to bombard her at once. The forerunner? I’m in love with Torin.

Her stomach bottomed out. She loved him?

Oh...crap. She did. Despite the fact that any skin-to-skin contact made her sick. Despite the fact that he’d tried to leave her more than once. She wasn’t simply bonded to him, drawing from his strength. She was totally enraptured by him. Under his spell. His willing captive.

She scanned her surroundings, discovered she was still in his bedroom. He’d drawn a chair to the side of the bed. Noticing her wakefulness, he lifted a tray of food from the nightstand and placed it beside her.

There were dark circles under his eyes, and he’d pulled a knit cap over his hair. To hide the tangles she’d caused? He looked tired but sexy. Stressed but relieved.

“Did I sicken?” she asked, dread unfurling.

“No,” he said.

She pushed out a sigh of relief.

“I’ve been running in and out to yell at my friends. Eat,” he said. “Build your strength.”

Still looking out for me.

Love him so much.

“Why did you yell at your friends?” she asked.

“Because they annoyed me.”

“Cryptic answer.” What didn’t he want her to know?

“And yet accurate.”

She popped a grape into her mouth, swallowed. The juice was cool and sweet, delicious.

“I wish Danika was ready to help me find the other girl.” The sooner they had Viola in their midst, and then Baden, and then the mystery boy, the sooner Keeley could go hunting for the box...the Morning Star. “But she’s not—is she?”

“Not yet. I spoke to Reyes just a little while ago. Danika is sleeping, and has roused only when he forced her so that he could feed her.”

Well, bummer.

Keeley wrapped the sheets from neck to toe and settled into Torin’s lap, twining her arms around him, careful not to brush against his skin. “I’ll tell you a secret,” she said. “As happy as I am about the thought of you being demon-free, I’m also afraid. What if you decide you want another woman?”

Would he want to go on the sexual bender he’d never before experienced? Would Keeley even be a passing thought?

Hate low self-esteem! Hate insecurities! Hate doubts!

His arms twined around her, too. “That would never happen,” he assured her, and his vehemence pleased her.

“You say that now, but...”

“Say it. Mean it with every fiber of my being. I’m lost for you, Keys, and don’t want to be found. Can’t imagine a moment without you—don’t want to. You are my treasure, my addiction, not touch. You are my sickness, and I want nothing to do with a cure.”

The insecurities burned to ash.

He cleared his throat, suddenly uneasy. But his hold was tight on her as he said, “By the way. William’s kids are onboard with being your personal guard.”

“Really?” How wonderful!

“Where are you hoping to rule this kingdom of yours?”

“Well, right here. Obviously. I will be the Red Queen of the Lords of the Underworld and all of their mates. You may thank me,” she couldn’t help but add, teasing him...but also quite serious.

A slow grin peeked beyond the dark clouds that had overtaken his expression. “I don’t think you’ve ever had a better idea.”

“I know, right? But first things first.” Her own grin snuck out. “I need a toothbrush and a shower, in that order. Make it happen.”

He stroked a gloved finger over her cheek. “Bossing me already?”

“I’m your queen. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Flashing her another smile, one so bright it shone all the way into her heart, he said, “And I’m just supposed to obey? No resistance?”

“Oh, warrior. I hope you do resist.” A husky edge entered her voice. Needy. “You’ll earn a punishment.”