The Darkest Touch

Haven’t really been living without her, just existing.

Hades lumbered to his feet, blood dripping from his nose and ears. One of his eyes was swollen shut. His condition only seemed to strengthen Keeley’s mettle.

“Think carefully about your next move,” Hades said. “It might be your last.”

“Is that supposed to make me cower?” she asked calmly. “I know you feed on fear, that it makes you stronger. Too bad for you I have none to offer.”

The male glared at her.

“Even if you could kill me,” she continued, “I wouldn’t die huddled in a ball, crying. No, when I go out, I will go guns blazing...but I can’t say the same about you.” A bolt of lightning whipped from her palm and struck Hades in the chest, knocking him back.

The male was warded, and yet as powerful as Keeley currently was, those wards did nothing to stop her.

Torin put himself between the two, his gaze on the male now pushing back to his feet. He’d seen the guy fight. Knew he was holding back—shadows weren’t flying out of him, surrounding Keeley, choking the life out of her while eating at her flesh. But that could change at any moment.

Hades glared at him, his hands fisting. “Not smart, Disease.”

“I’m not letting you near her,” Torin said.

“You won’t be able to stop me,” Hades replied.

“Bring it, then.”

“Enough!” Keeley shouted. She strode forward, the light no longer quite so bright. She pierced Torin with her raging baby blues. “This has nothing to do with you. Go home.”

Without her, he had no home. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard those words,” she snapped. “Now go.”

He flinched. Deserved that. “Okay. How about this? I don’t want to leave without you.”

Hurt in her eyes, though she dismissed him with a wave. “I’m no longer your concern, just as you are no longer mine.”

“Together or apart, you’ll always be my concern.”

“How sweet.” Hades sneered.

“I said, enough!” She focused on the other male. “Hades, we don’t suit and you know it. You’ll always resent me for being stronger. You simply hate being told no.”

He glared at her. “And you’re too stubborn, Keeleycael. I don’t resent you. I’m proud of you. But despite your brave words about dying, you think you have all the time in the world, that the end will never come for you. Well, it can come. And one day, it will. For all of us. You need to let go of the past and grab onto the future with both hands before it’s punted out of reach. I’m here. Grab on to me.”

Like hell.

Hades’s words were like an arrow through Torin’s heart. They didn’t have all the time in the world. The end would come. He had to grab hold of the future and never let go. Keeley was his future. Always had been, always would be.

Without her, he had nothing.

She’d told him “one day” would come and he’d regret what he’d done, and oh, had she been right. She just didn’t know one day had come the very day he’d left her. He’d had a good thing going with her, the very best, and he’d given it up. Because of fear. Because he’d let it rule his thoughts once again, driving his actions.

See the truth at last. No more running scared.

“Grab on to me,” Torin rushed out. “I made the mistake of letting go of you, but don’t you let go of me. Please, Keys.”

She faced him, mouth flailing. “Are you serious? You told me you would stay with me—lie. You told me I mattered to you—lie! Well, I told you I don’t like liars, and I meant it.”

No. No, he wasn’t giving up. Not ever again. “I’m sorry I hurt you, so sorry I lied. You’ll never know how sorry I am. But you do matter to me. I’ve learned what it’s like to be without you, and it’s awful. The worst thing I’ve ever experienced.”

“Yes,” she said, eyes narrowing. “I’m sure your time in strip clubs was just awful.”

“It was. And I know you said you’d never take me back and unlike me, you never lie. But I’m begging you to do it. Just this once. Just for me. Even though I don’t deserve it. But then, you’re a better person than I am. You’re sweeter and stronger and smarter. So much smarter. Please. Please. I am nothing without you, princess. Leaving you was the biggest mistake of my life.”

She shook her head, stubborn to her core. “No.”

He pressed on. “I didn’t allow anyone to touch me, didn’t touch anyone myself. All I could think about was you.”

Still she remained firm, saying succinctly, “No.”

“She doesn’t want you, Disease,” Hades snapped.

“All I wanted was—” Torin continued, only to stop as sharp, intense pain lanced through him.

Horror bathed Keeley’s features and she screamed.

Torin looked down at his chest. A spear had sliced through his back and come out his front.

“Enjoy the poison,” a familiar voice proclaimed. “Knew it wouldn’t harm Hades or Keeley, but you...you it will destroy from the inside out and they’ll suffer over your loss.”

Lucifer.

“Have fun,” the guy said and dematerialized.

Torin’s vision fogged, his knees gave out. He heard sounds of laughter...a struggle, growing distant...