But then it occurred to him that, no matter how willing she appeared, with the enthrallment talisman inside her and a countless number of his violent threats in her memory, Amma having an authentic choice in the matter was an illusion. In fact, Damien knew what it was to be enthralled himself, and even enthusiasm in the moment didn’t make up for being at the total mercy of someone who didn’t really need their victim’s “yes.” Damien knew he was evil, he had cut throats and set fires and reveled in the pain of others, but he wasn’t a monster.
