Destruction’s Desire (Broken Souls Trilogy #2)

Chapter 7

Rule seven: Ensure the Destroyer hates you at all times.

I t’s been three days since I woke up in Morgana’s castle, and contrary to my typical introvert tendencies, I’ve been doing my absolute best never to be alone. Usually, I would have books or television to disassociate from my dark thoughts, but no such luck here. So, instead, I’ve become a shadow to Rosie, Magnus and Damien.

Luckily for me, the trio have welcomed my company at every opportunity. We’ve pretty well settled into a routine. In the mornings, Damien comes to get me for a run. We do a few laps before eating breakfast with the others. After breakfast, I help Magnus sort through his magical inventory. And by help, I mean listening to all his knowledge of the other realms and the different kinds of magic. We hang out until lunch, and then Rosie and I go to the garden to gather plants for her different medicinal potions.

Later in the afternoon, Damien and I work on self-defence until we finally stop for a late dinner. I’m so exhausted from the constant socializing and exercising that I pass out the moment my head hits the pillow.

It’s been so busy that I haven’t given much thought to escaping. I’m happier here than I expected. Besides, Rosie, Magnus and Damien have been teaching me so much. It would be stupid to leave while being so unprepared. Not to mention, we haven’t seen or heard from Morgana or Sin.

According to Rosie, they can be gone for years at a time, so why should I bother leaving? I’m in good company. No one ever talks about Leon or asks me about my past. So long as those two topics are avoided, we have a grand time together. And, if all of that wasn’t already amazing enough, my necklace has never once heated around them. They’re honest with me.

Today, Damien and I are in the sand pit again as he tries to teach me how to get out of a chokehold. Try is the key word. I feel bad that he’s stuck with such a piss-poor student. I’ve tripped over his feet at least six times in the last hour, and I’m not even supposed to be moving my legs.

“Okay, red, again,” Damien demands.

He’s a tough instructor, but he’s got the patience of a saint. Also, at my insistence, Damien never flirts during training. We’ve made a game of it. If he slips up and flirts, I don’t need to run with him the following day. But if he keeps things fun and professional, I’m not allowed to whine during the morning runs .

Needless to say, I haven’t been sleeping in. I’m grateful, though. Our game has gone a long way in making me more comfortable, considering the suggestive positions we’ve been getting in.

Damien stands behind me, and his hands lightly circle my neck – just enough to know he’s there. I lift my arms and try to spin them in a windmill pattern like he’s shown me over a dozen times. But instead of hitting his arms and dislodging his hands, I accidentally slap him across the cheek.

Damien lets me go, laughing. I’m mortified.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” I exclaim, hoping I didn’t leave a mark.

Damien only laughs harder. “Alright, I think we need to back up a step. Clearly, being out of eyesight is too advanced. Though I do applaud you for landing a bitch slap.”

He pokes me in the ribs as he comes around to stand in front of me, and I squeal. Damien only smirks. “Keep your guard up, red. This one will be easier. I’m going to choke you from the front, and all you need to do is become dead weight and let yourself drop to the ground.”

I nod, relieved that this strategy requires less coordination.

Seriously, there’s a reason I don’t play sports.

Damien’s hands wrap around my neck, tighter than before. The sensation automatically sends a cold sweat down my back, and my eyes widen. But Damien only nods to the ground, indicating that I should follow his instructions .

Letting my knees give out, I gasp when, a moment later, I find myself breathing easily on the ground and out of Damien’s grasp.

“I did it!” I exclaim, jumping up.

Damien grins and pats me on the back. “See! There is a warrior in there, you –”

But his words are cut off by a ripple in the air. Sin apparates directly beside us. In typical Sin fashion, he looks livid.

Damien at least looks happy to see him. “Hey! We were wondering where you…”

“What the fuck is going on here?” Sin demands, interrupting. His hands are fisted at his sides, and I resist the urge to inch behind Damien.

No prey behavior allowed.

Damien keeps up his upbeat mood despite the mountain of a raincloud standing next to us. “I’m teaching red self-defence. We don’t want our mortal getting eaten.” He pauses to throw me a salacious grin. “At least not until she’s begging for it,” he adds with a wink.

I shake my head at him. I’m definitely getting out of running tomorrow for that one.

Sin stiffens and levels a glare at Damien. “Leave.”

Damien turns to me and gives me an apologetic look before shrugging. “See you at dinner.”

I watch him go, avoiding looking at Sin.

That only seems to piss him off more. I can see him from the corner of my eye. His arms are crossed, and his jaw is working.

When Damien is out of sight, I finally look at Sin and give him my best customer service ‘fuck you’ smile .

Seriously. The man disappears without a word for days after literally kidnapping me, and now, once again, he has the audacity to look angry with me. As if I’m the stick in the mud.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he growls.

His tattoos have a slight reddish glow, warning me that he is very upset. The sight has my adrenaline picking up, and I remind myself that Sin won’t hurt me. Rosie, Magnus and Damien have all vouched for him, swearing he and Morgana wouldn’t dream of it.

Unfortunately for Sin, that means his intimidation tactics are even less effective than they were when I first got here.

“Do you struggle with short-term memory loss? Damien just told you. He was teaching me self-defence.” I manage to sound like I’m concerned for Sin’s health.

His eye twitches.

“Why?” he asks, suspicion oozing off him in waves.

I can’t stop the incredulous look that crosses my face. Maybe Sin isn’t very smart. Maybe the more power you hold, the more it corrodes your brain cells.

It’s a solid theory.

“Because I’d very much like to not die any time soon. And I know that’s going to be more difficult now that I’m away from my own realm,” I answer honestly.

Maybe I need to try to be nicer to Sin. If I’m not actively trying to escape, then we should learn to co-exist.

Sin sneers at me, ruining my temporary good intentions. “And you think training with the boy will help you stay alive? ”

I huff, “It’s a good start. And I just learned how to escape a chokehold. He’s a great teacher.”

Sin’s hand darts out so quickly that I never see it coming until it’s wrapped around my neck. He doesn’t hesitate to cut off my oxygen as he lifts me into the air, leaving me dangling by my throat.

Immediately, I start to scratch at his arms as I thrash against him. He only tightens his grip and I immediately still. Not because I’m afraid he will kill me, but because his grip around my neck is sending heat pulsing to areas that are absolutely unacceptable.

Sin’s eyes darken, and I’m mortified by the thought that he might know what his touch is doing to me. He cocks his head to the side as he considers me, before placing me back on the ground.

He lets me take a single breath before cutting off my air again.

I don’t struggle. I don’t dare move. Instead, I focus on trying not to feel the ache between my legs.

Seriously? Kind, funny and helpful Damien chokes me, and I panic. But when the toxic, dangerous man does it – I’m turned on?

My kinks are the worst. I want a refund.

“Where are your self-defence lessons now, mortal?” he hisses.

I glare at him, already realizing that going boneless will do nothing to help me get away.

In response, Sin yanks me closer so my chest is pressed against him. Luckily, any embarrassing sound I was thinking of making is cut off by lack of oxygen. His eyes watch mine. There’s a heat in them, but I think it might just be his rage .

“I know what you are,” he whispers, and my pulse picks up.

Has he found out about my ghost powers?

“You’re just another Council whore, looking for someone strong to latch onto so you don’t have to fend for yourself. I bet you were thrilled about being a Keeper. All that influence – so easily manipulated. How long did it take, I wonder, before you spread your legs for Leon? An hour? A day? And now look at you, desperate to find someone else who will save you.”

My eyes start to burn from unshed tears, infuriating me. But Sin only smirks and tightens his grip.

“You’re pathetic,” he whispers before finally releasing me.

I crumple onto the ground, gasping for breath. Sin doesn’t make a move to help me up.

“Don’t manipulate my family,” he orders before turning and walking away.

I’m caught between shame and fury.

I make a mental note to look into electroshock therapy. Maybe if I get zapped every time I get turned on from something unhealthy, I’ll finally be normal.

In the meanwhile, I need to stay as far away from Sin as possible. I don’t even care that he thinks I’m a whore. I have no intention of correcting him. Let him think the worst of me.

At least if he hates me, he’ll keep being a dick.

After the way my body responded to him choking me, I know I’m in trouble. I may never know why my brain decided that ‘Destroyers’ are its type. But regardless of the reason behind it, the attraction is there, and I refuse to breathe any life into it .

I’ve sworn off men indefinitely.

So long as Sin keeps being insufferable, I won’t have any issues. Considering the man has the personality of an infectious rash, this should be easy.