“Take a seat. Selene will be out in a moment.” Beatrice turned and slipped through the two elaborate gold doors that led into Selene’s bedroom.
I couldn’t contain the slight shiver when I thought of all the horrible things I’d been through in that room.
Touch was a problem for me now. It made my skin crawl when anyone got too close, but I refused to let that define me. I refused to let my monster win.
I took a seat on a black, plush stool near the bar. The bar was set up along one wall with a white marble counter featuring gold veins running through it. On the wall behind the bar hung a giant mirror with gold shelves; only the most expensive liquor available in Aurathia was allowed to grace them.
Selene demanded the best of everything, and most people were too scared of her ability to deny her.
“Hey man, how’s everything going with the warrior sect?” Fabien yawned as he took a sip of the whiskey in his glass.
He was a nice enough guy. I knew he was one of the members who didn’t want to be here. The perverse situations we had been forced to endure had made us tentative allies. Neither of us fully trusted the other, but we occasionally exchanged information.
“It’s going. Do you know what this is all about?” I hated being caught unawares.
The other people in this faction were engaged in various activities. Some lounging decadently in the nude, some fully dressed with looks of dread on their face, and a few of them fucking on the carpet in front of the fireplace.
He rubbed his hand down his face, then took a much larger drink from his glass. “I heard that Selene had a big announcement to make. No one knows what it entails, and I did extensive digging. Being surprised by her is never a good thing.” His eyes looked haunted, and he looked away from me, staring into space.
I didn’t need to ask him what he meant. I knew all too well that a surprise from the bitch from Hell usually meant pain andhumiliation for the members of this Faction that were reluctant to be here.
“Knowing her, it could damn near be anything,” I grimaced at the squelching noise coming from the throuple writhing on the carpet.
Cat was on all fours, sucking Calvin’s dick as Steven fucked her from behind. I hated all three of them with every particle of my being. It took all the self-preservation I had to resist killing them every time I saw them. If at any time I found out for sure that my angel was dead, those three would die right after I dismembered Selene and Beatrice. I would find my angel in the afterlife.
“I guess it’s time to find out,” Fabien said.
We both turned to see Selene and Beatrice exiting the bedroom.
Selene wore a black negligée that emphasized the paleness of her hair and skin. There wasn’t any doubt that she was an attractive woman, but to me, her ugly soul shined through, making her hideous.
“Hello, Tempest Faction. I’m so glad to see everyone under the same roof.” She paused and cleared her throat, giving the disgusting trio a look of warning. They halted their debauchery and gave her their full attention.
“Momentous changes are coming our way and I wanted to make sure my Faction was going to be a big part of it. Keep this strictly confidential. If you don’t, the consequences will be severe.” She smiled with an evil twinkle in her eyes. “You know I love to dole out punishment, so feel free to try me on this.”
No one said a word. Even her allies were quiet. We’d all been subjected to her punishments, and no one was eager for a repeat performance.
Selene paused for dramatic effect, then continued, “The Brummond has informed me that our leadership has found away to finally stomp out what’s left of the Aurathion traitors and take control of the world they fled to.”
Gasps were heard all around the room. I barely contained my gasp of horror. The carefully crafted mask of indifference I usually wore had fallen, and astonishment had taken its place.
Selene delighted in everyone’s reactions and continued, “I look forward to settling old scores.” She turned to look directly at me, “Just thinking about the blood of old rivals covering my body excites me.”
I felt like I was going to pass out for the first time in my life.
She had hated Adelaide from our first day at Emberhold Academy until the day Adelaide had escaped through the portal. They’d been rivals in everything they did, with Adelaide always coming out on top.
The reason I was part of this Faction and not another was Selene’s hatred for my Nexus. Everything she did brought her a twisted sense of satisfaction because she knew how much Adelaide loved me.
I’d been able to endure the torture, knowing that in a small way, I was still protecting my true Nexus. If Selene could get to Adelaide, everything I’d done would be for nothing.
She had to be stopped.
My thoughts were interrupted by a caress on my arm.
Startled, I jerked back abruptly, as I had been lost in my thoughts and was not expecting to be touched. Then I saw Beatrice's smiling face.
“Come, big man. Selene craves a little time with you.” She licked her lips as she continued to glide her hand over my muscled chest.
