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I look into his too-dark eyes and nod, because for some reason, despite everything, I do.

"Then close your eyes and hold on tight."

I do as I'm told, and with our bodies pressed together, I feel his power move through me, and then…it's as if for a moment we are in another realm made of air and smoke and shadow. And then I feel solid again and I'm standing in a room made of stone. A thin sheen of dust covers the walls, telling me that no one has been here for some time. A door to my right leads...somewhere. From the window I can see the top of the castle and the surrounding grounds. "Are we in the eastern tower?" I ask.

Cole nods.

And when I turn, I see what his surprise is.

Nicholas Vanderbilt is slumped in the corner, tied up, blindfolded and gagged.

"What is this?" I ask.

"A gift," Cole says. "He tortured you with that creature, sent you home demon possessed, and sells girls as sex slaves. He deserves to be punished. I thought you might like to do the honors."

I step forward, looking at the man who does indeed deserve a thousand cuts with the sharpest blade. My anger flares within me and fire appears in my palms. I hold my hands up, studying the flames. I could release them on his flesh. Burn him alive. Make him pay for all he's done.

"Can he hear us?" I ask.

"No," Cole says. "Would you like him to?"

I shake my head. I don't know what I want right now.

Cole comes up behind me, his mouth at my ear. "It will feel so good to unleash your magic on him. And he deserves it, doesn't he?"

"Your brothers wouldn't like this," I say, holding my fiery hands in front of me, visualizing the Collector burning alive.

"My brothers don't understand many things. They are limited by their own self-imposed rules. You should not be bound by those."

The temptation overwhelms me. I could so easily do it. Who would know?

"What happened to the girls he held prisoner?" I ask.

"They are free to live their own lives."

I turn to face him. "You rescued them?"

He nods, brushing a lock of hair from my face gently. "Of course."

He leans down and kisses me softly, the act sending shivers up my spine. His kiss deepens and I melt into him, into the darkness he cocoons me in like a warm blanket on a winter night.

When I pull away, he sighs, closing his eyes and flicking his tongue over his lips. "You taste as I imagined you would."

When his eyes open, they are luminous. "Eve. Do you have any idea what you and I could do together? Who we could be with one another?"

I don't answer, but I can feel it, and I want it. So bad.

But…

Shit.

I drop my hands.

"I can't. I can't be that person." I turn to Nicholas. "And he doesn't deserve a quick death. He deserves to pay for his crimes. We must tell your brothers and let them turn Nicholas over to the Enforcers. The girls you freed will testify against him. He will finally get the justice he deserves."

"As you wish," Cole says sadly. "But it will not end the way you hope."

Chapter 11: The Darkness