Runebinder (The Runebinder Chronicles #1)(26)

“It seems he is not good at following directions.” Tomás shifted his grip, released one hand to drag a finger along Tenn’s jaw and toward his collarbones. He leaned in close, until their cheeks were brushing. Tomás’s breath in Tenn’s ear was a sensation Tenn never knew he could want so badly. “Perhaps he wants to be punished?”

Tomás’s hand continued trailing down, a nail snagging on Tenn’s shirt, slowly ripping it open. Tenn writhed under that touch, his pulse throbbing. Twin voices screamed in his head. One—the sane one—wanted to escape. The other...well, the other part wanted to pull Tomás closer and show him just who was going to be punished.

He forced the thoughts away. He had to remain in control. Of all the goddamned things in this world, he could at least have some control over his urges.

“Why are you doing this?” he managed, pissed at how breathy his voice had suddenly become.

Tomás paused. Tenn wanted to pull the man closer, wanted to force his hand lower.

“I have already told you,” Tomás finally said. “What my sister Leanna covets, I, too, desire.”

“But why? Why me? Why now?”

Tomás sat up, his hands lingering on Tenn’s chest. “You are special, Tenn. Powerful in ways that are only just awakening, in ways only I can help you understand. That is why I want you. And why she wants you. You hold a power that could prove very useful to us.”

“I would never help you.”

Tomás chuckled. He dug his nails into Tenn’s hip, and Tenn’s back arched in pleasure and pain.

“I think you’ll find that you will want to help me,” Tomás said. “In fact, I think you would give me anything I desire.”

His fingers clenched tighter. All Tenn could do was moan.

When Tomás finally let go, Tenn collapsed to the bed, shaking.

“Yes, I believe you will play our game quite well. Leanna was right to place her focus on you.”

Tenn’s thoughts swam. He had to stay focused. This was a Howl. This was the enemy.

“Why don’t you just bring me to her, then, if she wants me so badly?”

Tomás considered a moment, stroking Tenn’s hip absentmindedly. Tenn didn’t want it to stop.

“Because I would much rather let my sister work for her prize,” Tomás finally said. He leaned in and licked Tenn’s collarbone. Frostbite burned with ecstasy.

“I’m not your prize,” Tenn gasped.

Tomás practically purred.

“Oh, but you are. You are the greatest prize of all. But I am okay sharing you. For now.” Tomás leaned back and looked him in the eyes. All taunting was gone, replaced with cold calculation. “There are two types of men in this world, Tenn. Those who will use you openly, and those who will use you under false pretenses. But do not for one second think that you are not being used.” He ran his fingers through Tenn’s hair. “You may think you are safe here, you may think you have found someone who sees you for who you are, but he was sent to collect you. He will always see you as an object. A duty.”

It shouldn’t have worked, but it still made Tenn’s heart sink. Mainly because he had already been thinking the same thing. Even if Jarrett was a link to his past, he had still been sent after Tenn for another, hidden purpose.

“And you see me differently?” Tenn asked.

“Of course not,” Tomás replied. “But you will have a lot more fun under my care, that I can promise you.” He leaned in and whispered in Tenn’s ear, sending heat and desire flooding through his veins. “He is using you, my pet. As am I. But at least, with me, you will always know where you stand...or kneel. And I will ensure you relish it.”

Tenn didn’t even realize Tomás’s hand was inside his jeans until the man’s hand clenched, and ecstasy and flame burned through him. But the moment the wave hit, it was over, and Tomás stood by the wall, hands behind his back and a studious look on his face.

“That is but a taste of what I could give you. An eternity of pleasure. Of power. Or you could spend it here. With them. Miserable and manipulated.”

Tenn managed to grab on to his senses.

“What about Leanna?”

Tomás just smiled.

“Leanna won’t be in the picture forever. Not with you around.” His face shifted, once more becoming grave. “Do not let your petty feelings control you. Ask the boy why he sought you, when he returns. Ask him, before you claim that I’m the monster.”

There was a flicker of power, the briefest twist of Air in his throat, and then Tomás was gone.

Tenn collapsed back on the bed, panting, the ceiling spinning slowly as his body burned and shivered in turn.

Despite Tomás’s earlier threats, despite knowing the Howl would carry through on killing everyone he told, Tenn knew he should run from the room. He should tell the compound that a Kin was here. That he wasn’t safe. Or he should simply run from the room and never look back. Death followed him, and Death had many faces.

As his breathing slowed and his thoughts became his again, he did none of those things.

Not because he was scared of Tomás’s wrath, but because, around Tomás, he felt alive in ways he never had before.

He didn’t want to push that away. Not just yet.