Page 8 of Ravaged Devotion

“There was some rumor he’d woken up and might also be visiting tonight for the event,” Lenore joined in, unable to register the dark look morphing Ryker’s features because she was too busy staring at her feet.

None of them had told Rue about these supposed rumors. If he’d known about them, he would have absolutely refused to come.

He also would have told them they were lies.

“Lenore, stop—” Rue had been worried for her, but suddenly Ryker’s hand was around his throat, squeezing hard enough he gasped.

“Don’t.” The Black Hart’s gaze was demonic, the complete and total absence of feeling or recognition in his eyes causing Rue’s panic to grow tenfold.

He’d known things were ruined between them, but this…the way he was being stared at now, it was like they were strangers.

Or worse.

Like Ryker viewed him as less than a person.

Which was dangerous.

Oh, so dangerous.

Tears pricked at the corners of Rue’s eyes as he struggled to breathe, but then all at once, he was released. He slid down the wall to the ground, hacking as his vision blurred.

“You.” Without taking his eyes off of Rue, Ryker thrust a finger at Adams. “Come here.”

“Wh-what?” Adams blinked, anxiety palpable.

“Get over here. It’s Praeda.” Ryker started to undo his belt. “I’m going to fuck you in this stairwell. Your friends are welcome to stick around and watch.”

Bowie rushed forward, grabbing Rue from under the arms. He quickly pulled him toward the exit where Lenore was already holding open the door waiting for them.

Adams’ mouth was hanging open, but the growing bulge in his pants was impossible to ignore.

Tears fell from Rue’s eyes at a faster rate. The thought of Ryker screwing his friend…A sob left his lips before he could catch it, and the only reprieve was the fact he was being escorted away.

At the last second, he made the mistake of turning his head back, catching sight of his friend stripping in front of the Black Hart.

Ryker’s eyes were still on him, the bitterness and fury the last thing Rue saw before the door shut, separating them.

One more barrier to add to the list.

Six Months Ago

“I heard he was Ryker Hart’s chosen at Praeda.”

“Do you think he had anything to do with it?”

“News said it was an accident.”

“The guy followed Ryker around like—”

Rue blocked out the voices, not wanting to hear any more. He stood in the memorial alter room, in front of a framed photo of his friend. Incense cloyed at his nostrils, smoke billowing from the sticks he’d just lit and placed in the jar with all the rest. The tears wouldn’t come.

Not when he’d gotten the news in the middle of class three days ago.

Not during the entire space-flight over.

Not now, staring at the photo of a person he would never see again, listening to the gossip that the hovercar accident may not have actually been an accident at all.

Adams Kalvin hadn’t been the greatest of friends.