"Yes."
"In your home videos, you're always thinking about the symbol."
"Home videos?" he echoed.
"Your memories."
Her two-toned eyes were still, her head resting on the back of the chair as she looked up at him. The sexual awareness killed him more and more lately, and he started to think going to the European front was a good thing. She'd have time and space to adjust without the added confusion of him.
"You shouldn't be afraid to wear it anymore," she told him.
"You see too much, Sofia," he replied gruffly.
"You keep telling me who I am. This is who you are, Damian."
There was a tenderness in the way she looked at him that amazed him. He felt her deep confusion of the world around her and marveled again at how selfless she still managed to be.
"Thank you, Sofia," he whispered.
She smiled at the genuine note in his voice, and he leaned forward, kissing her. If only he didn't have to tour the Sector tonight!
"We'll come back to this, kiri," he promised, grudgingly withdrawing.
Her eyes swirled with arousal, and her parted, plump lips threatened his resolve. She touched his face. He kissed her hand and pushed away. He left the library and Traveled to one of the remaining, undiscovered safe houses at the base of one of the mountains. He placed the ring on his finger, his body buzzing with lust and anticipation. There'd been no hesitancy in her kiss, none of her previous reserve. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't sense the danger until it spoke.
"Hello, Damian," the Black God said.
He whirled. Czerno stood at the other end of the room. Before Damian could react, a charge of electricity flew through him, carrying with it an invasive liquid that paralyzed him. Damian dropped to the floor with a roar, his eyes blurring as more fire and liquid tore through him. He struggled to free his arms from the invisible bonds, his eyesight darkening until he dropped into unconsciousness.
*****
The sense of danger jarred her, and she sat up straight, heart pounding hard. She looked around. Something was wrong.
Damian.
She shot out of her seat and to the door, wrenching it open. She pulled out the cell he'd given her and called the only number in it.
"Jule," came the gruff answer.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"Sweetheart, I'll call you later. Stay put for now, okay?" He hung up, but there was urgency in his voice. Jule wasn't the type of man who worried about anything, and fear slid through her.
"Pierre!" she called. For the first time, he wasn't lingering in the shadows. "Dustin!"