It was like giving into a carnal sin, allowing a human to have power over him...

Onyx floated near the window of Violette’s room. He observed her sleeping face. The new scratches on her cheeks and dirt under her nails were a painful reminder of the mess he’d made. Everything had gone smoothly until he’d been unable to resist a little touch. He’d just wanted to feel her before he ruined the one chance he would ever have to get close to her. He had planned on taking over Slate long enough to proclaim his love for Eleanor and thereby ruining the boy’s hold on Violette’s heart. A nasty plan, but better than having to live with the thought of Slate having her to himself.

He never thought his reaction would be so explosive. Her hand had been so soft, warm, and the look in her eyes was liquid desire.  When he’d led her up on her knees, his craving to be touched by her had overwhelmed him. It was like giving into a carnal sin, allowing a human to have power over him. For any human to get this close to a Gemini, in a peaceful fashion, was unheard of. A shameful need had begun to work its way into his psyche. The fire leapt out of control and turned into an incredible rage, a rage so whole and powerful, he had been consumed with Slate’s human adrenaline when he had attacked her. How could this lovely, weak little creature have such an influence over him? He considered this longing to be an inadequacy within himself, one that he could not conquer. He was then determined to kill both her and Slate. He had lost his temper. Never before had he felt he would wither away if he didn’t take a soul. He’d always been able to pick and choose his victims, but Violette had unknowingly chosen him. The thought of facing Tork with this information drove him to the grim conclusion that he had no choice.

Looking down at her now and how peacefully she slept, he was so very glad Slate had broken free long enough to chase her away. She did not deserve the fate he would’ve given her. His guilt was eating at him now. He had to destroy this place, but he was not sure he could leave her to perish. Frustrated, he sank to the cot beside her and laid his head down on her belly. She slept soundly, oblivious to his silent apology. If he stayed away from her, he could not hurt her. So he would follow Slate and learn where his strength to fight him off stemmed from.

"Sleep, little one," he whispered, and sank through the floor, on his way to the cellar.