Sacrifice: Laid Bare (Laid Bare #4)(6)

Dinner was surprisingly normal. Dunne fried up venison steaks and roasted root vegetables he retrieved from the cellar. He explained how he grew or caught all his own food.

“Guess you don’t have a lot of other options out here in the wilderness,” Dahlia mused as we all sat down to eat.

“I do not,” Dunne confirmed. “There is a town not far from here, but I choose not to show my face there.”

He sure was self-conscious about his scarring. Even now, Dunne’s hood remained up, covering most of his face. He also tended to keep his chin down to ensure he remained hidden.

I had to admit I was insanely curious as to how badly he’d been disfigured—a consequence of defying his destiny. Since I intended to do the same, I very much wanted to know what to expect.

Clearing my throat, I said, “Dunne, avoiding town is fine, but you may as well lower your hood while you’re with us. If you’re going to help me with my plight, I’d like to see what’s in store for me. And Dahlia should be prepared, as well.”

Dunne’s lips curled into a grin. “As you wish,” he murmured.

When Dunne shrugged away his hood, exposing his entire face, Dahlia gasped.

“Oh, my goodness, I am so sorry,” she stammered, blushing and turning away.

“No need to apologize,” Dunne replied. “Your reaction is what I’d expect from any human. It’s why I prefer to live out here all alone.”

Dahlia hung her head and mumbled more apologies. Me, though, I couldn’t turn away. I was a vain man, having fully enjoyed the perks of being considered quite striking by all. I could tell Dunne was once a handsome man himself. He still looked young, even though I knew he was far older. Our kind never aged much, usually never appearing more than thirty-five or so. That was about what I would’ve pegged Dunne as, had I not known better.

I assessed him further. He’d retained his lush coppery hair, dark hazel eyes, and fine bone structure. His face, however, was heavily scarred. Long, deep scratch marks marred every inch of the skin covering his face and neck.

“How far down does it go?” I asked.

“Down my chest and back, as well, though not nearly as deep.”

I nodded grimly.

Could I accept this fate?

Yes.

To get out of the pact to fulfill my destiny and, in turn, keep Dahlia safe, I would do so in a heartbeat.

After all, it was better than the other option—death.





Dahlia



After dinner, Dunne poured each of us two fingers of scotch. We remained at the table, talking and strategizing.

“Can it be done?” I asked. “Is it possible for Lucien to escape his destiny and still live?”

Despite my initial reaction, I was rapidly growing accustomed to Dunne’s disfigurement. He had an engaging charisma about him, much like Lucien, and I began to see past his scars.

And though it would be terrible for Lucien to suffer the same fate, I would always love him, no matter what he looked like.

Dunne took a drink and carefully set his glass tumbler on the table. “Yes, it can be done. But I don’t think either of you are going to like the process.”

“Wait,” Lucien interjected. “How did you get out of your pact? I always heard you just flat-out refused…and then accepted the consequences.”

He chuckled. “Yes. That’s pretty much what happened.”

“So?” Lucien raised a brow. “I think I can live with that.”

“Are you forgetting, Lucien,” Dunne continued, “that I lost all my power, as well?”

“You have it back, now,” Lucien countered. “In fact, you seem stronger than ever.”

“I am,” Dunne confirmed. “But it took many, many years. Not to mention, your cost could be much more.” Dunne leaned back in his chair. “So, yes, you could refuse your fate, face the wrath, and come out scarred. Perhaps lose your power, as well.” He paused for a beat, holding Lucien’s gaze intently. “But, it could be much worse than what I received. There’s a strong possibility you’d be outright killed”

“I’m willing to accept that,” Lucien murmured.

When I tried to object, Lucien quieted me by placing his hand over mine and shaking his head, as if to say now was not the time to argue.

“There’d still be a problem.” Dunne turned to me, but spoke to Lucien. “Whether you live or die, Dahlia will remain at risk. And surely, since she’s not like us, the cost will be her life.”

“Unacceptable.” Lucien’s hand tightened protectively over mine.

“Lucien, it’s okay,” I assured him. “If giving up my life means you’ll escape your destiny, I’ll do it.” Softly, I added, “You were willing to do the same for me, weren’t you?”

He glanced over at me and sighed. “Yes, that was my original purpose for coming here.”

I’d suspected as much from my brief glance in his head. I suspected his original plan had to have been to come here and allow Dunne to end him. And now he’d just admitted it.

“I love you so much,” I whispered. “I’m glad you changed your mind.”

“I love you too, Dahlia.” He lifted his hand and cupped my cheek tenderly. “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave you unprotected and alone.”