Sweet Ruin

by Kresley Cole

  "Ah, you're nervous about what's to come," Rune murmured, mistaking her alarm. "You should be. You're soon to discover something I'm very, very good at."

  "Where have you taken me?" And how would she get back to her brother?

  Since her resurrection (or her transformation?), she'd often wondered why she'd been given all this strength and speed, all her talents. I can safeguard him.

  If she could reach him.

  Why would Rune target Thaddie anyway? How had her brother gotten mixed up in so much danger? Like sister, like brother? Had he kicked his own ant mound?

  She consoled herself with the knowledge that every second Rune was with her gave Thad time to get farther away. Maybe she should stall.

  "We're in Tortua, a pleasure den," Rune said. "I maintain a residence here. This is the observatory."

  Were any of the freaks below observing up her dress?

  Reading her mind, he said, "Each floor can view the ones below, but not the ones above."

  She craned her head up. A solid dome stretched overhead.

  "I've got the coveted top floor. Welcome to your new home."

  Wait, Rune meant to keep her in a pleasure den? "In other words, you have digs in a whorehouse. If the dark fey fits . . ."

  A muscle ticked in his wide jaw.

  Oooh, did I jab a tender spot?

  "A wiser vampire would be convincing me to spare her life. Not insulting me."

  "You won't kill me." How could he? She'd taken six slugs to the face. Unless a wooden stake to the heart could end her?

  "Will I not?" he asked.

  "You like my bite too much." Not that she'd be giving it to him again. No matter how close she'd come in that basement. She'd been tempted only because she hadn't drunk in twenty-four hours, and she'd used up a lot of energy.

  "I could replace it with another vampire's."

  His dismissive tone made her nervous. Last night he'd all but told Jo her life depended on keeping him interested.

  She'd seen how easily he'd gone from a tender look to a lethal one.

  However, there was a surefire way to protect herself from death and Thad from assassination: take out Rune first. "How many people have you killed?" she asked him.

  "Can't count that high."

  Figured. She'd have to get the better of him. Would he prove as hard to kill as she'd been?

  "Come." He turned toward a solid brick wall, pushing a symbol carved into stone. Bricks disappeared to form a doorway. A portal!

  A strange memory flashed into her consciousness like a lighthouse's beam--too bright one instant, then gone the next.

  But she remembered a place of total chaos, flames, and earthquakes. Though winds had blurred her vision, she'd seen a pale hand raised to the sky. Above, stars had streaked across the night. Behind Jo, there'd been a wall of portals.

  No, they were . . . black holes.

  They'd been arrayed in tiers one on top of another, black upon black. Like spiders' eyes. Someone had screamed, "It's worldend!"

  Was that Rune's memory? Or hers?

  Before Jo could delve deeper, he forced her through the portal. It closed behind her with a hiss.

  A stone bridge extended before them, lit by torches and flanked with railings. More symbols had been carved into various stones.

  He unlocked the cuff around his wrist and reached for hers. He was just going to undo it? For real?

  He stashed the restraints in his pocket, then seemed to be awaiting her escape. Nice knowing you, sucker. She began to trace back to the Quarter. She'd gotten a good start--when she hit some kind of boundary and bounced right back.

  Rune laughed at her. He dug that trinket from his pocket--another point he'd scored against her. With a smirk, he tossed it in the air, caught it in his big palm, then pocketed it again.

  "You're such a dick." She couldn't believe she'd been infatuated with him.

  "I have wards surrounding this entire residence. I'm the only one who can travel past them. Things inside my lair stay inside, including the sound of your screams--in case you thought to call for help. Even if someone heard you, they couldn't enter, because anything outside remains outside."

  Say she got lucky and took Rune out; without help--or the ability to escape--she'd be trapped here.

  "Ah, and there went your ridiculous plan to kill me." He dragged her along. "I see you working out all the angles."

  Not yet all the angles. Could she ghost inside the boundaries? If so, maybe she could ghost inside him? He could never shake her. And eventually he'd have to leave this place.

  Her heels were loud as they crossed the bridge. She gazed over the railing, seeing only darkness--as dark as a black hole.

  She refused to let Rune know how freaked out she was. "Where is Tortua? The South Pacific or something? Didn't they film Survivor here? Fire represents life."

  "Oh, you are a long, long way from Earth, dove. But you'll like it here--it's perpetual night."

  Not on Earth. She'd just have to . . . she'd have to think about that later.

  He touched his flattened palm to an elaborate symbol on a pillar, and a second portal opened into a huge bedroom suite.

  The inviting space had been decorated in earth tones--probably not called that here--and was a thousand times better than her own "home." Still, she said, "Not bad, I guess. Though the suite looks like it belongs in a blueblood's hunting lodge, not a blackblood's brothel penthouse."

  He tilted his head, as if mystified by her. "I hold your life in my hands. My grip on it lessens with each insult."

  Then I'll float away. She shook herself.

  In the adjoining sitting area, a fire crackled in a large brick hearth. More symbols embellished the stone there. At various places on the walls, similar markings were spaced the way light switches might be.

  An enormous bedstand dominated the room. Thick posters supported heavy drapes. The fabric was tied back, revealing tangled sheets. "That's your bed?" She could only imagine what activities had taken place there. Moments ago, he'd cupped her between her thighs in that basement, trying to kiss her, yet he'd most likely enjoyed an orgy here today.

  "What of it?"

  "I would've thought it'd be bigger," she said. "I doubt you can fit more than five or six nymphs in there."

  "Depends on how cozy with them I want to get."

  "You don't expect me to sleep there, do you?"

  "And if I did?"

  She tapped the heel of her palm to her forehead. "I forgot my black light and hazmat suit. But you've gotta have body condoms around here somewhere."

  He inched even closer to her. "Condoms? I'm half demon." He leaned down to say, "Even if I needed to wear one, sizing would be an issue. As you well remember."

  With a roll of her eyes, she backed away from him. When he got close, she got weak. How could she still desire a manwhore like him? Especially after he'd threatened to kill her?

  Because of his blood. Only his blood.

  He crossed to the wall beside the bedstand, pushing a symbol. One second the bed was unmade, the next it was remade, then freshly turned down.

  Don't wig out, Jo. "Handy."

  He raised his brows. "Any more commentary?"

  "Not at present." She sauntered to the fire to warm herself. Her dress was still wet, and most of her damp skin was uncovered. Plus, thirst always made her chilled.

  She turned her attention to a comfortable lounge chair situated in front of the fire. Beside it was a container of feathers and arrow shafts.

  He made his arrows there. Alone. "Your sitting area only has one chair?" Was he a loner like her? Not that she cared.

  Whatever he saw in her expression made his tighten. "A nymph friend decorated this place for me. The styling choices indicate nothing about myself." He unbuckled the quiver around his leg, setting it against the wall.

  "Uh-huh." The styling choices must indicate a lot about him.

  He unhooked his bow and hung it on a spike above the hearth. "There's a ward
over my bow here. Reach for it, and you'll be blown back on your ass. If you'd still like to try, inform me so I can watch."

  Dickwad!

  "In any case, this is a secondary residence."

  "Ruin's whorehouse weekender."

  With an irritated look, he pressed another symbol, and a wide doorway opened to reveal a huge library. The shelves had to be three stories high. All those books were like safes full of never-ending treasure, and everyone but her seemed to have the keys.

  Another of Rune's symbols opened a second adjoining room with a gigantic swimming pool. Marble columns surrounded it. Torches blazed to life all at the same time, their flames reflecting in the still surface of the water. Steam wafted from a back room.

  Cool!

  "Copied from an old Roman design." He surveyed it as if seeing the area anew. "Just when I deem mortals completely without flair, a choice century will come along. . . ."

  "How many rooms do you have?"

  "As many as I wish. It's infinite."

  Again, handy. "So this is where you think to keep me."

  "Not exactly a hardship, then." He cast her that smug look, the one he wore when manipulating nymphs with his dick, the one that made her want to claw his face to ribbons.

  "You've got no idea what my home is like." Big Sleazy Weeps. She lifted her nose. "In comparison, I find this . . . quaint."

  "Lucky for me I don't give a damn about your lofty standards." He parted his lips, then seemed to change his mind about what he'd been about to say. "Follow me." He turned in a different direction, opening up another area.

  When they crossed through the doorway, she stutter-stepped. Holy shit. Relics filled the room. Suits of armor, statues, jewels, vases, weapons of all kinds. "Where'd this stuff come from?"

  "I've collected these priceless items over my lifetime."

  Jo collected things as well. One difference. Everything in here was "priceless." She'd never been to a museum; she wanted to explore this place for days. "Collected? Or stole?"

  He leaned his shoulder against a wall. "They're war prizes."

  "You some kind of soldier?"

  "I suppose you could say that. Do you still think my home quaint, vampire?" He cared about her opinion, which surprised her.

  She managed a careless shrug. " 'S okay."

  He looked like he wanted to throttle her.

  "Now that you have me here, what's your plan? My death is on the agenda for some point in the future, right?"

  He exhaled. "No. I was angry and wanted to punish you for fouling my shot. A soothsayer like Nix won't stroll into my sights so easily next time."

  His change of tactics put her on edge--

  Wait. He'd been aiming at the woman? That Nix chick?

  Not Thad!

  Rune closed in on her. "I've realized fighting is the last thing I want to do with you. We'll put what happened earlier behind us. Consider it water under the bridge."

  "Oh, really?"

  "Don't believe me?" He curled his forefinger under her chin.

  "Till death us do part?"

  "Killing you was an option I considered and have since permanently discarded."

  For some reason, she believed him. At least in that.

  He brushed her damp hair over her shoulder, revealing her ear. His eyes grew hooded. Dude really dug her ears. "We could sit before the fire and open a bottle of wine. All you have to do is tell me how long you've been in league with Nix and the other Valkyries."

  Valkyries existed? Weird. Why not tell Rune she'd never met this soothsayer before? Nix had seemed like a friend to Thad--but if so, why had the female been talking about bait? Had she been leading him straight into a trap?

  What else could be expected of a freak? Jo had encountered few of them, but so far she had been unimpressed.

  Her first impulse was to say, "Don't know Nix. Put an arrow between her eyes." But then Rune would know Jo had been protecting Thad.

  She couldn't predict how the dark fey would use information like that against her. And she didn't trust anyone--under the best of circumstances. No, she'd keep that tidbit close for now.

  Which left her with one play: persuade this male to trust her, then convince him to let her go. Will I sleep with him for my freedom? At the thought of his body over hers, thrusting, she shivered again.

  "You must be freezing. You can answer my questions once you're warmed up," he said, considerate as could be. "There's a robe outside the bathing chamber. Etched tiles control the water."

  She could handle cocky asshole Ruin. Nice Rune was throwing her. Still, Jo wouldn't mind some time to mull over everything. Though so much had happened tonight, the facts were:

  She and Rune had a mutual enemy.

  He was presently staring down at her like he wanted to eat her up.

  He wasn't trying to murder her brother.

  Or her.

  Where did this new knowledge leave her? Idiot Jo was kind of crushing on him again. What if she could build a relationship (of some sort) with him (if he quit nymphs cold turkey)?

  And then, with Thad possibly coming back into Jo's life . . .

  Two connections were within her grasp! Two people to notice if she floated away.

  "Unless you'd prefer to remain with me while I dine." His gaze dipped to her body. "I know what I'd like to see on the menu."

  EIGHTEEN

  At a table in front of the hearth, Rune ate without tasting his food, his mind fixed on the vampire. The naked one bathing in his sauna.

  Had he joined her, it would probably have been the most searingly sexual bath he'd ever enjoyed.

  Two things stopped him. One: It would probably have been the most searingly sexual bath he'd ever enjoyed. He needed to maintain control. If she bit him at will . . .

  Two: He'd decided he would have to secure her to his bed--to make sure she couldn't bite him. He intended to draw on his customary coldness when interrogating her, but better safe than sorry.

  Contrary to what she thought, Rune didn't entertain bedmates here. It was his sanctuary. His bed hadn't been equipped with restraints, so he'd had to repurpose those cuffs. Task completed, he'd opted for a quick shave and shower in another bathroom.

  He scarcely believed he had a female in his home. If another Morior discovered her, any one of them would annihilate her. She was the ally of an enemy--which meant Josephine was an enemy of the Morior as well. Plus, she was a security liability.

  Killing her was the most logical option. Especially once he'd extracted any information about Nix.

  Yet the demon in him rebelled. Even his rational fey side demanded he first explore why Josephine could drink him. And why she affected him so viscerally.

  Everything about her was different. When she'd pointed out his solitary chair, he'd barely stopped himself from explaining that he had allies he'd die for. That they lived communally, and he came here only for respite.

  Damn it, information flowed to him.

  He'd had no impulse to tell the lovely shopkeeper Loa his secrets. Never in all his lifetimes had he divulged one. So why the urge to with Josephine?

  He had little appetite, had never been so eager to interrogate a subject. Get focused, Rune. He dug in his pocket for his talisman. He rolled it in his hand, contemplating those indecipherable symbols yet again.

  He'd received the talisman the day his sire had died, the day Magh had made her decree about Rune's future. He'd pointed out the flaw in her plan to make him an assassin. . . .

  "I can't trace." If he could, he would have long escaped.

  "You possess demon blood; you can learn from my guards."

  Excellent. He would learn to teleport, then use that ability to get free. He hadn't thought Magh the "Canny" would be so stupid--

  "I might reunite you with your dam, should you serve me well."

  As if struck, he swayed on his feet. "She still . . . lives?" For years, he'd believed her dead, the most likely fate for a slave who'd disappeared in the night. He pictured h
is dam's lively blue eyes. She'd always had a ready smile for Rune, striving so hard to mask her misery from him. "You or your henchmen killed her."

  "As much as I would have enjoyed that, she lives."

  "I-I don't believe you." Gods give me the power . . .

  "No?" Magh snapped her fingers. One of the guards traced to Rune, handing him a small bag. The homespun material carried traces of his dam's scent--tinged with fear.

  He ripped into the bag. Parchment had been folded around his mother's talisman, her sole possession. He opened the note, scanning the familiar handwriting and the language of demons, but some of the script was smudged, illegible:

  My cherished son, please accept this talisman as a token of my love. It will always remind y ________________________________________.

  I know not the runes, but I believe th __________________. You must ______________________________________________ constantly and nev ______________________________________.

  Do not allow the queen to use me to h________. Strength and power flow through our family's line, and the years will bear out the following tru _______________________________________________.

  Never forget that. I love you so much and only wis _______________.

  Rune swallowed, dragging his gaze from the letter to Magh. " Where is my dam?"

  The queen raised her blond brows. "I cannot tell you, else forfeit my leverage."

  "The letter is smudged." He held it up accusingly. "I can't read all of it."

  "The poor dear wept as she wrote it. I said she lives--I didn't say she was glad of that fact. There are some fates worse than death."

  His breath left him. He would do whatever this evil bitch asked of him to free his mother.

  And Rune had.

  The old queen had been right about his prospects as an assassin, about the value of his seductive nature. His first target had sneaked Rune into her sanctuary, lowering all her protections. A fatal mistake.

  He'd been more poisonous than anyone could've dreamed.

  With the deed done, Rune had returned to Magh like a trained dog, leaving behind a contorted corpse and a puddle of his own vomit.

  But after years of his faithful service, Magh had the last laugh, selling him to a brothel--

  A sudden chill overtook him. He glanced around, getting the impression he wasn't alone.

  Moments passed. Another chill skittered up his back; then the feeling was gone. Odd. What could have affected him like that?