“But it is<i>your</i>baby.  Shouldn’t you love it more than the rest of the people?  Shouldn’t you hold such a precious thing close to you and not want to share with others?”  Her words were veiled just enough that she could be referring to the child.  Or to sweet Charlotte.  Everyone already knew that he claimed the Oracle as his own but who was there to love Lotte?  Not in the obsessive way of John but in the purest definition of the word.  Who was protecting the little blonde angel?  This worry set Tess’s lips to pursing but by then Kell was reacting to her story.  Her vague generic story that could describe the upbringing of thousands of children.<br/><br/>Seeing this powerful man kneeling at her feet sent a rush through her.  Even though he was still so much taller than she was, having him on his knees before her thrilled her.  She had the power to make him kneel.  Yet it was she who was captivated by his gaze and his touch when his hand finally entered her sphere to touch and caress such neglected parts of her body like her throat and her collarbone.  She wanted so badly to lean into him, to move their faces closer together yet she remained still.<br/><br/>It was his voice that would prove to be her undoing.  Smooth like silk and dangerous as poison, feeding her such wonderful thoughts and suggestions.  Why hadn’t she attended the rituals?  Was it because of her job?  Partly.  Was it because she did not want to watch people work themselves into a blood frenzy?  Partly.  Was it because she did not want to watch her friend’s body be so used and abused?  Partly.  Or perhaps it was because she did not want to watch this man, this captivating man, fuck other women.  That was a sentiment she was not willing to admit to herself just yet.  Upon their arrival at the compound, it was easy to understand why so many people were drawn to this place, to this new perverted religion.  Seductive leadership can lead to many a person’s downfall.<br/><br/>His petition was heard, her knees parting as obediently as the Red Sea.  He was admitted closer as she slid forward in the chair to perch on the edge, their torsos almost touching with each inhale.  She was his prisoner, her eyes locked onto his, her breathing growing ragged.  “I...I think I am fulfilled.  It’s just… Carlton does not want me to attend the rituals yet.”  Ah yes, blame it on the brother.  The older brother who did not wish to see his sister so defiled and ripped apart by the group.  She would have to tell him later of her excuses so he would not spoil the lie.<br/><br/>Tess’s eyes dropped to his lips, watching them form the shape of the words he spoke.  Her head tilted slightly to the side as she lost herself in the beauty of his mouth.  Her eyes dropped further as his finger touched and pressed between her breasts.  That simple touch made her heart pound; she flushed, sure that he could feel the thudding of her heart against the tip of his finger.<br/><br/><i>Just you and me.  No Carlton or Charlotte.</i>Those simple words banged around in her brain, rattling her to the point that she almost missed the look in his eyes.  The look that said he was going to devour her.<br/><br/>“New friends…,” she whispered the words, almost breathing them against his lips.  Her eyes closed demurely and remained so for a few long seconds before opening once more to meet his.