“Goddess, forgive me. Look at her tremble. I caused that. Oh, pure reaction. I need more. I need her shaking in my arms. Fear. Rage. Passion. It matters little. I will take it all. Touch me. Touch me now. Give me your affection.”
And with the urgency in those words, I knew I was seeking comfort from the wrong creature. I lifted my head and was about to leave when he stepped aside and revealed the once again upright table. The pig’s head was gone, but in its place sat a bowl.
I nibbled my lip, reminding myself of the potential benefit of staying and playing his game, and slowly approached. As I did, I realized I also had the evidence needed to rule out the possibility of him being a druid. Like the previous meal, he’d materialize food without any sort of spell casting. He had to be a frost giant then, didn’t he?
For once, C’adon stayed completely silent. He followed me to the table and lingered beside me as I took my seat. The two-tined bronze fork beside the bowl looked more like a mini trident than an eating utensil. Using the wickedly pointed long tines, I carefully prodded the chunks hidden within the dark gravy and leaned in for a sniff.
It smelled good. Like meat. But after his last offering, I was a little cautious about trying a bite. However, I knew if I hesitated too long, it would disappear. So, I stirred the dish until I found a chunk of something easy to spear that looked like some kind of root vegetable.
C’adon remained perfectly still, waiting for my reaction to the tentative bite I took. The taste of carrot filled my mouth, and I silently groaned.
“She approves,” he said in a tone that I could only call awe.
What the hell had he put in the stew that he thought I wouldn’t like? Probably the pig’s head. I barely suppressed another shudder and dug out a second piece of vegetable since the first hadn’t tasted bad at all. There weren’t many of them, though. At least, not enough to fill me.
After the vegetables were gone, I forced myself to try a bit of meat. It was tender and delicious, and I didn’t need any more encouragement to tuck in with enthusiasm.
A piece of bread appeared beside the bowl when only gravy remained, and I used it to sop up every last bit.
Then I licked the bowl. It was that good.
C’adon fell to his knees.
He didn’t say anything. He simply tipped his head back, eyes closed, breathing heavily.
I paused with my tongue stuck to the side of the bowl and blatantly stared at him for a moment. All the marks from yesterday's run-in with the wall had vanished as if it had never happened. And pure bliss warmed his face, tugging at the corners of his perfectly shaped mouth. Those lips called to me in a way that made my heart stutter, and I quickly tore my gaze from his face.
C’adon was never quiet and never that delighted. Whatever was going on in his head wouldn’t likely be good news for me.
Preferring to skip his freak out, I silently abandoned my bowl and retreated to the hallway with my torch.
“I want her tongue,” he said softly behind me.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head. All his talk about him wanting my skin had been creepy. Adding my tongue to the list only made it worse. I really, really hoped he wasn’t some kind of cannibal or rapist. But why else would he be so fascinated with my parts?
With renewed determination, I resumed checking doors and hoped for the room that contained my uncle. However, I didn’t discover another room full of souls. I finally found the door I’d marked.
Worrying my bottom lip, I debated what to do next. I knew there was a stairwell ahead. But did I want to work my way back up the tower or down? Up might lead to Megan. However, after my run through the halls, I was no longer sure I was still in the same tower. Going down to the bottom level and working my way up seemed more methodical and sensible. After all, how else would I know if I’d checked this floor or not yet?
I paused at the stairwell and glanced at the torch in the bracket beside the opening. If I lit it, I would know I’d been here. Unless, of course, someone came by and put it out. It might also serve as a beacon, calling more monsters to this place. Or it might help disguise the torch I carried.
Taking a chance, I lifted my flame and lit the other.
“She wishes to see her home,” C’adon said behind me.
A moment later, all the torches in the hallway burst to life, illuminating everything.
Eyes wide, I looked down the well-lit hall to the right and the left. Before me, the once shadowy void of the stairwell also glowed a soft yellow.
“You help?” a deep voice called from somewhere close by.
The torch in my shaking hand fell to the floor.
The darkness was gone.
Now, there would be no hiding.
CHAPTERSEVEN
