Rescuing their missing third was supposed to be the difficult part. But Jesse Madding and Gideon Keel are learning their work is only beginning.<br><br>One month after her return to her normal life, Emma Coolidge seems to be healthy and well-adjusted from the time she spent captive in a hell dimension. Every night, though, reveals the depths of her trauma. She doesn't dream; she sleepwalks. When Gideon catches her unconsciously searching for a book about dimensional magic, he knows that it's time to put an end to her torment.<br><br>But Emma isn't the only who can't seem to adjust. Jesse doesn't know how to handle his new powers when he's with Emma. Gideon fears that neither of his lovers need him at all anymore. And always, there's the fear Castelain will return to seize Emma, the prize she has already claimed as her own.

The Price of His Redemption

Gideon typically did not wear gloves when handling a whip or flogger. He liked the way the leather felt against his hand. When he used a chain, he liked the way the links vibrated in his palm with each blunt hit. Jesse caught his breath, now sharing Emma’s trepidation. It crawled down his spine like something slow and slimy. He knew what Gideon was going to do just before he reached for the hurlbat.


“Because it hurts you.” The curved weapon caught the light as Gideon took it out. He needed gloves to protect himself from the weapon searing away his skin. It wasn’t meant to be handled by anyone but a Guardian. “Anything else I use on you, you’ll enjoy too much.”


Emma’s almost fearful question came without the proper respect, but Gideon didn’t call her on it. “Part of the problem with you two is that Emma takes everything you’re feeling, boy, and experiences it as pleasure. She needs to learn not to convert pain into something enjoyable.”


Chapter 29