Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore, #2)(9)

“This is so fun—why didn’t we do this earlier?” Nyx slithered around my neck with excitement.

“This is not fun,” I whispered frantically. “How do I turn this stupid freaking thing off?”

I banged at the box again, and the agonized grunts increased.

“Why would you turn it off?” Nyx sounded genuinely confused.

Kharon rolled over.

Ohmygod.

He ripped one of the Taser prongs out of his chest with spasming fingers—blood and chunks of skin sprayed.

“Wait … he’s not getting up …” Nyx hissed with shock. “Right?”

Kharon sat up and turned toward me.

I shrieked.

He was no longer bothering to hide the depths of his madness—eyes promising unspeakable corruption, bright blue currents danced across his pale, nearly translucent skin.

The most skilled hunter on the planet got to his feet before me.

“Holy shit … he’s standing,” Nyx whispered. “How is he standing? Are you seeing this?”

I dropped the Taser and backed away. The excruciating pain in my leg was not the imminent danger; it was the man calmly standing there as a live current was electrocuting him.

Kharon wiped his sparking lips—fresh blood sizzled as he smeared it across his face.

“Carissima,” he purred darkly as he took a step toward me. “If you wanted to play … you just had to say something.”

Streaks of neon blue jumped across pale skin as a burning metallic scent filled the air.

His jaw clenched.

That was my only warning.

He lunged.

Long fingers grasped my chin and tipped my face up—my skin sparked as the current ran between us—I was rooted to the spot.

Something sizzled.

Kharon lowered his head until our lips brushed.

Zap. A spark leapt between us—our breaths mingled.

His tongue darted out to lick the blood off my lower lip. Tingles danced across the edge of my mouth where his tongue had lightly brushed.

It was the faintest touch.

My skin smoldered in his wake.

“Carissima,” he groaned, full of anguish.

Crack. “What in Kronos’s kingdom is going on here?” Augustus’s deep voice rang out, breaking the spell.

Both our heads snapped toward him like we’d been caught doing something depraved (we had).

Augustus looked around with a furrowed brow like he was surprised where he was, then he focused on us. He stared for a long second, and his surprise morphed into something … dangerous.

“Don’t stop on my behalf. Kiss her,” Augustus ordered, his voice velvety smooth. “Now.”

Wait. What did he just say—

Kharon grabbed my jaw and slammed our mouths together.

Electricity exploded.

His tongue plunged into my mouth. I whimpered as he bit down on my lower lip—hard. He groaned, our breaths mixing.

Kharon kissed harder, like he was trying to devour me. His lips were bruising, and I pressed against him, onto my tiptoes, needing more.

Sparks sizzled. A current pulsed between us.

“Enough,” Augustus ordered, and Kharon yanked his mouth away, panting heavily, but he kept his fingers wrapped around my chin. I leaned into his touch.

A single spark pulled taut between us; it buzzed through the air, connected to our lips. It snapped.

I licked away the sting.

Augustus adjusted his pants.

He enjoys watching us.

Poco stuck his head up over Augustus’s shoulder, tipped his furry head back, and screamed at me accusingly.

Yes, I am a pervert.

Next question.

Calluses dug into my chin—Kharon turned my face so I was staring up at him. He still hadn’t released me.

“You taste … exquisite.” His voice was hoarse and gravelly.

My teeth ached as electricity traveled through my jaw.

A long second passed.

Heart pounding, face flaming, I gathered my courage.

“Just … physical,” I whispered.

Kharon dropped his hand from my jaw like I’d scalded him.

I smiled, victorious as I stumbled back.

“Wait—why is there a Taser in your stomach? Why are there scorch marks on her chin?” Augustus looked between us like we’d both lost our ever-loving minds (we had).

“I’m seducing her.”

“He’s trying to k-kill me.”

Kharon had the audacity to look offended.

I shook my head, trying to find words that wouldn’t come.

How did I explain Karen was secondhand Tasering me … and I liked it?

Do the Olympian health clinics offer lobotomies?

Kharon’s abs flexed and contracted in rhythm to the electric shock. My mouth went dry.

Mental note, need to get one. Immediately.

Augustus sighed heavily. “Kharon, you’re clearly scaring her. Tone it down. We talked about this.” He pointed at me. “She’s bleeding out from a fucking bullet wound and looks like shit. We need to get her back to the outpost. Patro and Achilles are leaping all over trying to find her first.”

Why do my mentors care so much?

“Look at her!” Augustus yelled.

Okay, now he was just being rude.

“You’re the one who told us to kiss,” I mumbled under my breath.