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history. In fact, his devious evil deeds rivaled my own for a few hundred years. Mr. Self- Righteous wasn't always a do-gooder. So what? What do I care what he did a few thousand years ago? No one's perfect. Even if what Seth had said was true, the Nathaniel she knew now was the one who mattered. These assholes sorely underestimated her if they thought any of this was going to sway her. Still, had Nathaniel given up his redemption for her? She couldn't think about that right now. She needed to try and figure out how to get out of this mess. This Side of Heaven 55 Aw, that's sweet. She's defending him. Cresil snickered before his face went cold. I think it's time to try this my way. Painfully groping her breast, he gave his lips an obscene swipe with his tongue. Samara wasn't sure if it was Cresil that nauseated her or the fact that he was committing these vulgar acts through Ruby. When he flicked her nipple through the material of her shirt with the tip of the razor, a small cry escaped her. You make me sick, she hissed. He sliced a thin red ribbon along her breastbone, just above the neckline of her shirt. He gave her a look that inspired raw terror. Little pig, little pig, let me in, he whispered menacingly before licking the blood from the blade. She screamed inside, trying to choke back a sob. Nathaniel! Samara? Baby? Can you hear me? Was that Nathaniel's voice in her head? Cresil must be driving her to insanity, or was he trying to trick her? Sam! Talk to me! Nathaniel, is it really you? How? I must be losing my mind. It's me. I'm not sure how, but you're not losing your mind. What's going on? Where are you? I don't know. Cresil's trying to possess me. Nathaniel, he has a razor. He has Ruby! Shh, baby. I'm going to find you. Just listen to me. You're strong enough to keep him out, but you need to help me figure out where you are. She frantically looked from Cresil to Seth and hoped they couldn't sense what she was doing. Naamah grabbed Cresil's arm and pulled him away. Don't scar her. I want that body when you're finished. Samara couldn't make out Cresil's response. Sam, look around and tell me what you see, what you hear. She tried not to be obvious about checking out her surroundings. It's an old wooden building. There are handsaws hanging on the wall with maybe carving tools? There are stacks of wood and what looks like unfinished furniture. I think I hear running water, like we're by a creek or a river or something. 56 Fallon Blake Do you a see a plaque over a work table with the phrase 'Carve your own path'? Yes! How did you know that? You're at Ruby's, in her husband's woodworking shop. I'll be there in a second. Wait! They've warded the place so you can't step in. I'll step as close as I can, and I'll have to go the rest of the way on foot. Is Seth there? Naamah too. Sam, you're strong enough to fight them. I'm afraid. I know. Hang in there, baby. I'm on my way. This Side of Heaven 57 Chapter Nine Samara watched as Naamah and Cresil continued their heated discussion. Infighting was good. Hopefully it would keep them distracted for a little while. I want her skin flawless! She needs to look just as she does now if I'm going to use her to seduce Nathaniel, Naamah hissed through clenched teeth. Anger rose fast, drowning out some of Samara's fear. Use her to seduce Nathaniel? Over her dead body. Enough! Seth bellowed. Quit bickering. You two can fight over her after we break her. Samara held her breath as Cresil crouched down in front of her again. Miss me, love? We were just chatting about you. Now where were we? he asked, toying with the razor. Ruby, I know you're in there. Fight him! Samara pleaded, searching for any hint of the woman she knew in the eyes that stared back at her. She can't help you right now, but she sends her regards. Cresil snorted. Something clattered just outside the shop, and everyone's attention snapped to the door. Naamah, I thought you said the husband was incapacitated. Seth huffed in irritation and narrowed his eyes. Go check on him. What makes you so sure it's not Nathaniel? Naamah asked, a look of fear marring her near-perfect features. Interesting that Naamah was so obviously afraid of Nathaniel and yet she wanted to seduce him. Talk about issues. I highly doubt he's already figured out where she is, and even if he has, there is no way he could've gotten here that fast. Go check. Seth gave her a shove toward the door. Naamah glared at him over her shoulder. 58 Fallon Blake A brief look passed between Seth and Cresil. Samara had the distinct feeling there was an unspoken communication going on between them. Cresil yanked her forward so he could wedge himself behind her, and she yelped. Don't make a sound, he whispered into her ear as he angled the razor at her throat. Cresil at her back with a blade to her throat was all too familiar. Her chest heaved, and her pulse pounded in her ears as she tried to squelch her rising alarm. Judging from Seth's body language and Cresil's threatening position, they seemed to be anticipating something. She didn't think it had anything to do with Ruby's husband. It was nerve-rackingly silent as the seconds ticked by, and Naamah had yet to return. After Seth and Cresil exchanged another look, it was obvious they weren't expecting her to. Seth took position next to the door, his back pressed to the wall as he peered through the cracked opening. He shook his head as he looked at Cresil. Oh God, Nathaniel. They know you're here. Figured that's why they sent Naamah out. One down, two to go. Where are they? Seth is just inside the doorway, and Cresil is in the back right corner. Hurry, he has a razor to my throat. I'll fucking kill him. Where's Ruby? Samara's heart sank, and she paused for a moment. Sam, is she all right? No, she's not. Cresil's inside of her. He roared so loud inside her mind, she winced. In a shower of wood and splinters, Nathaniel crashed into the shed, knocking the door completely off its hinges. Quickly spotting Samara and Cresil, his amber eyes glowed with violence. Turning to Seth, he growled, You son of a bitch, let her go! I don't think so. You're out of luck, friend, Seth said as he nonchalantly leaned against the shattered door frame. The place is warded, thanks to your witch. So you won't be stepping Cresil anywhere, and I think you've gone too soft to kill Ruby just to send him back. Quite the conundrum. Do you kill the mother you never had to save the woman you don't deserve? Seth taunted with a smug smile. This Side of Heaven 59 Samara's gaze couldn't track the blur of Nathaniel's fist as it connected with Seth's chin, snapping his head back. You always did hit like a girl. Seth laughed, wiping blood from his mouth. An excruciating pain distracted her from the two men as Cresil tried to breach her mental walls. She gathered her energy and pushed back against him. Oh you've gotten stronger. If you're as powerful as I think you are, I'm not going to want to give you up, Cresil murmured in her ear. She tried twisting away from him, but he grabbed her chin and forced her to look in the direction of Nathaniel and Seth. Pay attention. I want you to watch Seth destroy your lover. There'll be plenty of time for us when they're done. He licked her cheek, and she shuddered. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |