Ruby Shadows (Born to Darkness #3)(27)

Once Charon (who was even creepier than I had ever imagined) had loaded him onto the flat, black ferry, the big horse stood quietly, watching me as though he was waiting for me to come aboard too.

“It’s okay, boy,” I told him. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

I really didn’t like the idea of getting on board that ferry—not just because I was pretty sure the only thing under those tattered black rags of Charon’s was an animated skeleton, either. I was also weirded out by the idea that the only people who crossed these black, tarry waters were already dead. Also, I’m not the best swimmer in the world and I didn’t like to think what might be in that black goo waiting to get me if I fell in.

Still, there was no other way to get to the second circle of Hell and time was wasting. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, meaning to place my foot on the ferry.

But I couldn’t.

Frowning, I tried again but with the same result. There was something in the way—some invisible barrier that I could feel but couldn’t get past.


I tried again, this time leaning forward with my upper body. Again, the invisible wall met me and kept me from stepping foot on the boat. I felt it in every direction, reaching up with my hands and pressing my palms to its smooth, invisible sides. It occurred to me that I must look like a mime—and not a very good one, either.

At last, I gave up on trying to find the edges of the wall and turned to Laish who was watching me quietly with absolutely no surprise on his chiseled features.

“What’s going on?” I demanded. “I thought you said I could ride for free since I’m not dead. Why can’t I get on board?”

“I never said you could cross for free, mon ange,” he rumbled. “Styx is the barrier between the first and second circle of Hell and you may not pass through to a new circle without first paying the toll.”

“What toll?” I shook my head. “You said something about that before but you never explained. I tried to give him the coin but he wouldn’t take it.”

“It is not in money that you must pay.” Laish was still looking at me intently. “But in deeds. You must pay the Sin Tax to cross from one circle of Hell into the next.”

“Sin Tax? What are you talking about?” I put a hand on my hip, all out of patience. “Look, Laish, just tell me what I have to do and I’ll do it. Come on—help me out, here!”

“I will be more than pleased to help you out—though I do not think you will like it,” he said quietly. “You see, Gwendolyn, in order to pass on to another circle, you must commit a sin. A small one at this juncture, as we are still in the upper levels of Hell. But as we pass through each concentric circle, your crime must be greater and greater in order to satisfy the tax. It is the only way that you, as a living human, may pass through.”

“But…what kind of a sin?” I asked, though I was afraid I already knew.

“One of lust, I believe will do at this point.” Laish fixed me with those ruby eyes and beckoned to me. “Come to me, Gwendolyn. I can help you pay the tax.”

At last I understood. This was what he had meant when he said I would have to let him touch me in order to get through Hell. I felt a flush of warmth run through me, though if it was lust or anger I couldn’t tell—maybe it was a mixture of both.

“You…I…” I had no words. What could I say? “What…what am I supposed to do?” I finally got out.

“Just come to me,” he murmured. “I will be gentle, I swear.”

Rather than reassuring me, his words scared the Hell out of me—no pun intended. “What are you planning to do—have sex right here on the river bank?” I demanded, holding my ground. “Because I’m not up for that—not even to get across the river.”

Laish sighed. “I wish you did not fear my touch so very much. No, mon ange, I will not penetrate you now. As I said, only a little sin is necessary to satisfy at this juncture. If you let me simply touch you, I think we can pay the tax very well.”

“Touch me how?” I asked, still reluctant to go to him. “What are you going to do? I need to know.”

“Simply caress you.” His eyes were heavy-lidded with lust and his voice was soft and deep. “Come, Gwendolyn—don’t fear me. I will never hurt you, I swear it.”

“And if I let you do this—if I let you touch me—we’ll be able to get on the ferry and go across?” I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest.

He nodded. “Exactly so. Come.”

At last I came to him and stood in front of him. I couldn’t meet his eyes though—instead, I stared down at my little black shoes.

“All right, here I am. Go ahead,” I muttered.

Laish sighed. “May I remind you that you must be a willing participant in this? It is you who are paying the toll—not me.”

“But I don’t know how to do that.” My heart was pounding but I made myself look up at him anyway. “I don’t know how to…to make myself willing.”

“I can help you,” Laish pulled me into his arms and nuzzled my neck, pressing a hot, open-mouthed kiss to the sensitive skin of my throat.

I couldn’t help the shiver that ran through me. Goddess help me, I knew it was wrong but I wanted him to do this. It was scary and dangerous and absolutely sinful but I just couldn’t deny it—his touch felt good.