The Darkest Touch

“But bay-bee...” Their voices faded.

“It’s been a long time,” William continued. “I was quite sorry to hear what Hades had done to you...especially since I hadn’t had the opportunity to sample you yet.”

Torin moved to her side, his hand on the hilt of a dagger.

“Yes,” she said dryly. “That was my one regret.”

William offered her the barest hint of a smile, a display of teeth she’d watched rip through countless enemy throats. “I’d carry you to my room right this second, give you a new reason to live, but you’d become a clinger, just like everyone else, and I’m currently a little too busy to deal.”

“Has nothing to do with the fact that your good buddy Torin is already imagining your head on a pike?” she quipped.

His smile grew wider. “Darling, he’s giving me a come-hither look. I get them everywhere I go.”

She rolled her eyes. “So who are the brutes behind you?”

“I’d make you play the guessing game, but their beauty always give away their origins. They are my children.”

The “children” in question remained stoic, glaring at her as if she were next on the chopping block. “Wow. None of my spies picked up that bit of intel.”

“I’d be happy to describe how these miscreants were conceived, and in great detail,” William said. “I’m pretty sure your brain would be bleeding by the time I finished and you’d want to pluck out your eyes, but I’m willing to risk it if you are. Just say the word.”

“The word.”

“This one time, at band camp, I—”

Someone threw a handful of popcorn at him.

“Boo! Hiss!” Anya called. “I’ve already heard this one. Spoiler alert: the only way you can get two piccolo players to screw you in perfect harmony is to shoot one.”

Keeley didn’t like having the female at her back, but other than stiffening, she gave no other indication it bothered her. “Why are you here, William? Why did you summon me?”

He hitched his thumb over his shoulder, indicating all three males. “My strapping young lads request the honor of your services. A Phoenix soldier killed their sister.” His voice tightened, the muscles in his jaw clenching. “The culprit has been dealt with appropriately. Of course. But her clan claims my boys went too far—” he used air quotes for the last two words “—with their vengeance and retaliate on a daily basis. My boys are winning this war, naturally, but the continuous skirmishes are...annoying me. Your particular skills would be the perfect blood-icing on the cake we will make from their organs.”

She’d participated in many wars, and not once had her team lost. The constant victories used to amuse Hades. And she supposed that was one reason he’d begun to fear her power; he’d had to wonder what would happen if ever she’d turned on him.

He’d acted accordingly—and that alone had brought his fears to life.

“I’ll consider it,” she said, and Torin stiffened. “And if, ultimately, I agree, your strapping young lads will have to pledge their eternal loyalty to me. I’ll soon be jump-starting a new kingdom, and I’m on the lookout for a royal guard.”

Her announcement received several different reactions. Alarm from Torin. Amusement from William. Affront from each of his children.

“Those are my terms,” she said with a shrug. “Take them or leave them.”

“Does anyone want to hear my opinion?” Anya called.

“I would rather swallow a battery,” Keeley muttered and flashed the girl into a cage at the zoo. Or rather, she tried to. Anya remained in place, smug.

Well, well. She’d scarred herself with brimstone.

Keeley glared at Torin. He’d shared her weakness with his friends already, choosing their safety over hers. And the only time he could have done it was while Keeley had been writhing in bed, recovering from an injury that would have killed Gideon, whom she’d maybe kinda sorta saved.

And yeah, okay, there was a slight chance the other Lords had known about Curators as Torin had, but she doubted that was the case. Especially when he lifted his chin, his teeth gnashing together, his look total what did you expect?

The fortress began to shake. Deep breath in....out. She had been working at this relationship, giving it everything she had, trusting him, risking her life for him, and yet he had been working at handicapping her.

How much more will I tolerate?

Keeley tore her gaze from Torin. Deal with him later.

Always later. The story of her life.

“So...why the huge crowd?” asked a voice Keeley couldn’t place.

William set his drink aside and stood. No longer the picture of relaxed depravity, he morphed into a bona fide pillager—ready to spring and attack...to devour.

Keeley had never, ever, witnessed such a response from him.

A delicate-looking girl stepped through the Lords and ladies, her glossy dark hair and flawless olive skin a lovely combination. She had sensual eyes of the deepest, richest brown, and they were framed by lashes so long and thick they created a spiky fan around her lids. But as gorgeous as she was, she was young and human. Far too young and far too human for a male of William’s fierce appetites.

This had to be the infamous Gilly.

Her birthday approached, Keeley remembered. Poor darling. Did she have any idea William was set to pounce? Just waiting for time on the clock to run out?

The girl waved at Keeley, an aura of sweetness and light enveloping her. “I’m Gillian. Everyone here calls me Gilly, even though I’ve begged them not to. You must be the Red Queen I’ve heard so much about.”