Page 88 of Ashen Torment

“More convincing,” I hiss through my teeth.

His voice breaks into an imploring cry. “F-forgive me—I beg you!”

Lucien sighs, exhausted. “Fine, fine, Dorian... I forgive him. Let’s go now.”

Releasing Hale, I look him in the eyes. With a decisive gesture, I shove the remaining files across the table.

“Listen close.”

My breath brushes his face.

“If you so much as look at me again, I’ll make sure my eyes are the last fucking thing you ever see.”

He remains motionless in silence.

I say no more, I turn toward Lucien and we exit the warehouse.

The carriage jolts as we climb aboard. The coachman whips the horses and the warehouse recedes, swallowed by the harbor fog.

The acrid smell of Hale’s urine lingers on me.

Disgusting, subhuman filth.

Lucien watches me, his nostrils flaring. “Dorian, have you lost your mind?”

“Now we have the information.” I cross my arms, trying to ignore the damp cold on my trousers.

He shakes his head. “It was not necessary to go so far.”

“No?”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Dorian, it is not appropria—”

“It is my nature, after all, is it not?”

“No, it’s not.” He bites the inside of his cheek, clearly annoyed.

“I know you think it too, brother.”

“I don’t think anyth—”

“Tainted blood, right?”

Lucien averts his gaze, then turns back to stare at me.

“You are not like them.”

“I am what comes from my heritage.”

The bounce of the carriage makes the wood tremble under our feet.

“Your mother was not of that sort.” His voice grows softer. “Her family, yes... we know their nature. But you?” he breathes in deeply. “No, Dorian, you are not a sadist. I know you.”

I look down at my stained trousers and pull up a corner of the fabric in disgust.

“Damn it—I need to get rid of these things.”

“It is your punishment for being so reckless.”