Page 128 of Eternal Craving

I peered down the tunnel and wondered where it led, considering that it may very well be like the others and lead nowhere, though the faint sound of water hinted that it may lead to freedom.

When Sunaria pulled back, having had enough blood, I shoved Benjamin out of the way. A fine, scarlet line trickled from her mouth onto her chin.

I wiped away the bloody smear. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” I kissed her, my tongue searching her mouth, tasting the tangy remnants of the blood.

The kiss of rediscovery – the one I vowed to give Sunaria the moment fate returned her to me. It was a gift wrapped in light and longing, fierce with unspoken passion. Our tongues danced in a storm of forgiveness and need, losing ourselves and then saving each other once more with every breathless touch, every caress, every sacred promise.

I almost forgot we were not alone.

Benjamin staggered off and dived through the clay hole.

Sunaria rubbed her disappearing wound. “That bastard stabbed me with silver.” She stared at the state of my clothes. “What happened to you?”

“Later.” I took her hand and started after Benjamin.

“Where are we going?”

We trekked down the passageway. Sunaria covered her nose, the smell having reached us. I pushed open the door to the torture chamber and locked gazes with Benjamin, who was now holding the severed head.

I glared at him, my patience fading fast. “Give it to me.”

Sunaria wore a disgusted look.

Benjamin stepped back. “He’ll let me live if I return it. What are you going to do?”

“End it.”

Benjamin wavered.

“We’ve all been through enough,” I said quietly.

Benjamin looked at Sunaria and then back at me. “And you’ll let me go?”

“I will. Now take off your shirt.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.” I removed my shirt and dropped it on the floor.

Once Benjamin’s shirt was off, I grabbed it from him and put it on. It was a snug fit, but clean, at least. I retrieved my jacket and withdrew the locket from the right pocket.

I showed it to Sunaria. “Delacroix had this.”

She looked puzzled. “He found it on me.”

“What?”

“I found it in a jewelry store. Delacroix stole it from me before I could find you.”

“He recognized me from the portrait.” I cringed. “And Benjamin, you filled in the holes.”

Benjamin sidled along the wall.

“He doesn’t have Jacob.” Sunaria’s expression flickered with anger. “He just wants you to think that.”

But we don’t know that for sure.

I tucked the locket into my trouser pocket and grabbed the head out of Benjamin’s hands. It was truly nasty. I wrapped it in my jacket and grasped Benjamin’s arm. With the head under my left arm, cringing with the feel of it, I dragged a bare-chested Benjamin out and back down the central corridor. With a shove, Benjamin climbed through the clay opening and I followed him out the other side. I offered the head to Sunaria for her to hold and she gave me one of her stares. I carefully placed it down on the ground.