Page 6 of Paramour of Sin

“You’re not exquisitely fed, but satisfied enough,” Lord Zebulon continued. “Had you killed the two men, your seductive pull wouldn’t be nearly this strong. You’re practically begging me to kiss you with your eyes, Guinevere.”

My throat worked, my heart thudding in my chest. He always had this impact on me, regardless of my satisfied state. It was the power within him—it sung to my Succubus soul.

“You’re innocent,” he proclaimed before looking at Gleason. “Inform the Genesis that I’m taking over the investigation. Someone is killing indiscriminately in my realm and I will find the culprit.”

“Dark Provenance,” Gleason corrected, referring to the newer organization title the Nephilim faction had chosen. They felt it better fit their origin as the children of angels. “And they won’t agree to stand down.”

“Right. Dark Provenance.” Lord Zebulon’s tone indicated his annoyance at the correction. But he didn’t otherwise react. “Regardless, they’re not to step in my way.”

“They’ll insist on helping,” Gleason pointed out.

“Yes, they have a penchant for stepping into affairs that don’t pertain to them,” Lord Zebulon murmured, his thumb leaving my mouth to draw a hot line along my jaw before dropping his hand. “Get in touch with Zane. He’ll supervise your feedings while I locate the guilty party.”

It wasn’t a request, but an order, one that left me feeling oddly numb.

When he’d demanded I work with Zane two decades ago, I’d felt a stirring of apprehension mingled with excitement. My heart had longed for an opportunity to work closely with the sexy incubus, and yet, I’d also dreaded it. Because I hadn’t wanted to see him feed from other humans.

And now, well, it seemed almost natural to watch him.

He had a knack for seduction, a skill I yearned to replicate.

But not with him.

A fascinating development, one that left me frowning.

“Guinevere?” Lord Zebulon prompted, misreading my expression. “Do you disapprove of supervision? Because that would be an ill-advised reaction to my command.”

“No, my lord,” I said quickly. “I understand the purpose. I accept. I was just…” I trailed off and shook my head. He didn’t need to hear about my fanciful crush or the fact that it was finally dwindling after decades of lusting after my mentor. “I was just lost in thought,” I finished. “I’ll reach out to Zane.”

His gaze narrowed as he studied my features.

Fortunately, he opted to drop it with a nod and changed the subject. “I hear Xai and Evangeline are back in our realm. They paid you a visit earlier this week?”

“They did,” I replied, thinking back to the diner. “But it was a short-lived reunion. I’ve not seen them since.”

“Azrael called them in for a visit to discuss the Dark Provenance. Eve is going to help train the younger Nephilim,” Gleason explained.

Lord Zebulon hummed with interest. “I see. Now your Dark Provenance’s involvement in my affairs make sense. Evangeline won’t allow anything to happen to Guinevere.”

“Damn straight,” a feminine voice said from the doorway. “So if you’re here to escort her to a trial in Hell, then I suggest you consider some alternatives.”

Chapter Three

Gwen

Eve stepped into the kitchen with a silver knife twirling through her fingers.

Very few beings in the planes could say something like that to Lord Zebulon and live to tell the tale.

Fortunately, my best friend and former roommate was one of them.

A fact that was proven by Lord Zebulon flashing her an amused look. “There’s no trial set that I’m aware of. At least not yet.”

“Good,” Eve replied, her blue eyes glancing over my robe. She’d know what I was up to recently, but the flare in her pupils as she looked at Lord Zebulon suggested she thought he was the reason for my attire.

I nearly sighed.

I wished he was the reason.