Gabriel stilled, and I took it as a sign to continue.
“They were debauched, this circle of six women.” I lowered my voice and leaned forward. “I think they used men, younger boys, to do what they wanted. She hasn’t spelled it out yet, but it becomes more apparent in every sentence.” I whispered, as if spilling a dark secret. “I think they had male sex slaves.”
“Sex slaves? Quite a bawdy opinion for a woman who just recently experienced the pleasure of sex for herself.”
“Don’t poke fun at me. This is serious. They used young men for ill deeds.”
“Used them?” He seemed amused, but there was something in his eyes that made me shift in my seat. “I would think most men would be thrilled to have six—is that how many you said?—womenusethem.”
I bit my lip and looked at the book. “I don’t know. It sounds like some of the victims were willing, but there were a few they forced—”
“Victims?” He gave a harsh laugh. “Most would scoff at your use. How old were these boys?”
I thought back through the entries. “Sixteen to twenty-four?”
“A normal sixteen-year-old boy wouldn’t know what hit him if six women pounced.”
“I can’t believe that. You are saying that a man could not be taken advantage of?”
“By six willing women?”
“It doesn’t matter if the women are willing, if they are the ones doing the abuse!”
“Were they ugly, wretched hags?”
I frowned. “What difference does that make?”
“Anormalsixteen-year-old would be pleased by being targeted by a group of gilded women with access to beauty enhancements, would he not?”
I crossed my arms. “You are horrible.”
“I am saying what most men would tell you.”
“I don’t care.” I reached out and grabbed the journal. “It sounds like this boy right here didn’t want to participate, and theymadehim. With magic.” I flipped through it. “They called him a pet name because he stood defiant, their aven—”
He plucked the book from my grasp and hurled it. It hit the wall with athwackand landed face-down on the hardwood floor. “Stop reading that.”
“No!”
His gaze connected with mine. His thumb brushed my jaw. He leaned forward, and I leaned in too. When his lips met mine, I savored the feel of softness and strength.
My body was already responding—warmth rising, tingles flowing. Did I have no measure of resistance? He would have me. I would let him. It would be so easy to give in.
Too easy. I pushed away slowly. “I want to finish reading that book.”
“No.”
“No?” Resistance turned to indignation. “You can’t tell me no.”
“Can I not?” Green eyes full of challenge and warm hands full of desire pinned me to the seat. “I seem to remember from the very first night of this little exercise telling you that I could, if you wanted my help.”
“For matters that required it for the case.” I bit my lip as I stretched the truth. I clearly remembered the conversation. ButI’d been afraid of him then. How different the feeling of security made a person act.
“Desperation breeds strong capitulation, and you did, my dear.” He tipped up my chin and ran his fingers along my jaw. “With your stained dress and gaunt frame. Your desperate eyes.” His hand curved into my hair and tugged.
“You were already strong and fierce. But food, comfort, and security have given you even more. Hopefully it didn’t clear your memory.” Warmth trailed down my neck. “I said that you will do exactly as I say throughout the task.EverythingI say. You agreed, if I recall.”
My memory was perfectly intact. Security gave me the nerve to keep arguing. “You aren’t being reasonable. This has to do with my brother’s fate. Both brothers. You think I would fritter my time away on some mad woman’s journal if I didn’t think it was pertinent?”
