Page 41 of Burn for the Devil

“It is; it’s disappearing it would seem.” Ramone’s voice sounded pained, anger and melancholy tinging his smooth voice.

“How would that happen? Do things normally just disappear?”

His eyes flickered to a deeper shade of green as he pressed his lips together. “They don’t. This isn’t normal. I don’t know what to do about it.”

It struck me that he felt helpless, and such a state of being was foreign to him. His agitation simmered just below the surface. I sensed anger twisting inside him, longing to be set free. I didn’t understand how I was able to get a better read on him here and decided to take advantage of it while I could.

“You feel responsible,” I offered.

“Because I am. It would appear I orchestrated the events that resulted in this.”

Such a thing was impossible. “How would you be? Nature does whatever it wants. Not even we humans could be responsible for this much damage. I hope.”

He let out a low, dark laugh. “You are wrong about that; it does whatever I want.”

I shook my head; I’d forgotten I was dreaming. Playing along once again, I said, “Okay.”

His gaze burnt a hole into the side of my head before the pressure let up. “Do you not believe me?”

Sighing, I answered, “I believe you.” It would be interesting how this conversation went.

His boots scuffed the dirt as he stopped and dragged me next to him, his fingers gripping my wrist. “You don’t.” He searched my face, skimming my edges. “You’re lying to me.”

“No, I believe you.” For the sake of being asleep and dreaming, I did.

Ramone’s other hand traveled up to grip the side of my neck and he stroked the side with a thumb. “What must I do, oh ye of little faith?”

“I am beginning to be a little concerned. Can we just go to this castle?” His mood had changed, devolving back into the angry man I knew in real life, and I wanted the other one back. The one who’d looked at me like the sun rose and set in my presence, as if his very existence were ruled by my own.

Ramone grabbed the nape of my neck, curling an arm around my waist, and kissed the center of my forehead, in the same place he’d touched me to ignite a nightmare. The air caught in my lungs while his lips traveled lower, halting to kiss my cheek, and finally my lips as he pressed his body into mine. My hands clung to his shoulders, desperately reaching for leverage as I was forced backwards.

“I will take you to the castle,” he told me, letting go for a moment, “I'll take you wherever you want other than out of my sight.”

All I could think about was how right this very minute would be an ideal time to wake up. There was no way I’d be able tohandle seeing him in real life after this. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried, and failed, to do just that. Ramone’s deep chuckle pried my lids open. “Did you think you were asleep?” He smirked.

The air rushed from my lungs, and I would’ve doubled over, had he not held me up. “Iamsleeping.”

He yanked the front of my dress down, revealing the swell of my breasts before pulling something shiny from his sleeve. I yelped when he cut me, the narrowest of slivers welling red with a thin line. The blood beaded against my skin, and he bent down, dragging his tongue along my flesh. A shiver ran through me at the dual assault of pain and pleasure on my senses. My instinct to fight against the urge to succumb to him was as strong as the necessity to flee.

“Does this feel real?” he asked.

Raising his head to show me his bright, glittering eyes, his lips crashed into mine and took away every protest I’d had. His taste mingled with the coppery flavor of my blood while he plundered my mouth, a deep moan reverberating through his chest. His desire for me was intoxicating and foreign. If he was an addict, I’d gladly be his drug.

I reached up and tugged his hair, the silky strands tangling between my fingers matching his fervor eagerly. His mouth slid from mine to trail my neck, one hand cradling my cheek with reverence while the other bruised my hipbone. The sensation of his lips and warm breath flitting across my skin lit my flesh on fire as I melted into him, leaving myself exposed and at his mercy. It felt like he was a part of me, as if he were inside me, and I was his salvation from sin.

“Samantha,” he whispered, blinking as if regaining consciousness. “I’m supposed to kill you, but you’ll be the death of me.”

24

Samantha

Kill me?

Pulling away, he stopped me from leaving, holding my chin in his hand. “I would never hurt you; but the impulse to devour your soul claws at me.” I’d never seen the man this raw, this terrified. His voice sounded agonized, and his eyes were filled with fear. Not a single breath dared pass my lips.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered.

Gently, he tugged my bottom lip with his teeth while his thumb grazed the small cut on my chest. Finally, I inhaled a long drag of fresh air, dropping my forehead to his shoulder while I asked myself what I was doing.