Chapter 120
I woke up screaming for Amaris. My body ached as if I had been torn limb from limb. I couldnât move my arms or legs. Silver restraints burned my skin with every movement, and I bit down on the whimper that threatened to escape.
Desperate to find my bearings, I forced my panicked breathing to slow down. I needed to be focused.
My arms were above my head, wrists chained to the wall, ankles shackled to the floor. The cold stone wall chafed against my naked back. The bastard had removed my clothes, leaving me in only my white lace bra and panty. I was practically naked. When I turned my head to the side, I saw steel bars. Athan had locked me up in a cell.
âAthan!â my
voice echoed back to me, mocking my hopelessness.
He materialized out of the shadows to stand in front of me. âYou called, love?â he ran a finger down my cheek to my collarbone. âThought youâd never wake up. Although I enjoyed seeing you so docile.â His eyes flicked over my body, making my skin crawl.
I spat in his face. âTake your hands off me!â
Smirking, he wiped his face with the back of his hand and licked it off. âHmm⦠so delicious.â
âWhere are they?â
âI assume you mean your coven?â Athan strutted around the cage, only to come back to me, fixing me with his strange, swirling gaze. âWell, they were already gone before we attacked. They must be at your soon to be exâmateâs castle.â He shrugged. âI donât know, and I donât really care.â
âWhat?!â They were never there. âYou tricked me?â I thrashed against the shackles, my hands straining to touch his mocking expression, my anger wild and untamed.
He backed away, laughing. âOh, come now! I couldnât let the opportunity go to waste.â
âBut the visionsâ¦â The fire, the screaming, it couldnât all be a manipulation.
âI had Joanna place them in your mind. Itâs one of her rare talents. That is why I chose her.â Athan came closer to move my hair behind my ear. I pulled away.
âYouâre lying! Joanna would never betray me like that.â I considered her a sister, a trusted friend. How could she do this to me?
Athan clicked his tongue. âShe didnât have a choice, poor thing. Iâll let you in on a little secret.â His lips skimmed my ear while he leaned forward, his hands on both sides of my upheld arms.
I snapped my head in his direction, determined to headâbutt him, but he was faster. He moved away, chuckling.
Chapter 120
âWhat did you
do to her? Where is she? And Pippa. What have you done?â Tasha growled defiantly, glaring at him through my eyes.
âMy, my. So many questions.â He tapped a long, tapered finger against his pale lips. âI left Joanna at
the fortress. But Pippaâ¦â he licked his lips. âSo innocent. Couldnât resist A
âYou killed her!â Revulsion made my stomach recoil. I could only imagine what she might have endured at the vampireâs hands. Once again, I was to blame.
âI promise you I did more than that, sweetheart.â Athanâs voice took on a dark tone. âSo much
more.â
Tears stung at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. He enjoyed tormenting me too much.
to
âWhen my pets attacked you on the mountain, they drained enough of Joannaâs life force to put her under my control. She didnât even realize it then. Which made her my perfect secret weapon to use when I needed to.â Athan seemed pleased with himself, preening and strutting about like an anemic peacock. It made me sick to my stomach.
âI thought the Shadow Dragons belonged to the Dragon Lord.â At least I was aware that Joanna didnât betray me voluntarily.
âA gift to me from Fintan. To make up for the losses I suffered at the hands of your insufferable mate. Heâs my cousin. Twice removed, but yes, family nonetheless.â
âIâm thirsty. Is it your plan to starve me to death?â I also badly needed to use the bathroom, but I didnât think he would release me from bonds.
my
He threw his hands in the air. âOf course not! Where are my manners?â He exited the cell, and I couldnât see where he went. But he returned with a jug of water and a glass, which he filled and held to my lips. Despite my revulsion for him, I slurped the water thirstily. The water appeased my hunger somewhat.
âI need the bathroom.â I glared daggers at him, hating that I was at his mercy once again.
He grabbed my jaw, fingers digging painfully into my skin. â me and I will release you.â
âOver my dead body!â I snarled through my clenched jaw. Thrashing against his iron hold, my arms straining in their sockets, trying to free my wrist, but to no avail. Athan held my jaw with one hand while his other hand fondled my breasts, pulling and pinching my nipples.
I screamed my outrage and shame, and the tears I was holding back came flooding through. âI will kill you, Monster!â
His hand stroked over my naked belly. âYou will try, I know. But you wonât succeed, sweetheart.â
The sound of a door opening saved me from his hand venturing lower. Hissing with irritation, he turned around to investigate the intrusion.
Chapter 120
I could never forget that scent. Sorin! This couldnât get any worse. His footsteps approached the
cell.
you come to admire my possession?â Athan chuckled as he opened the cell door to let Sorin
âHave you
âYou should get rid of her, Athan. Sheâs poisonous.â Sorin said, raking me over with his eyes. I could. feel him peeling off my underwear.
âSays the snake himself.â I shot back at him.
He came closer, but stayed at a safe distance, like the coward he was. âIs it safe?â He licked his lips. and looked at Athan.
I let out a threatening growl. If he touched me, I swear I would lose it.
Athan laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. âFind out for yourself.â He left.
âYou are a fool, Sorin.â I forced myself to look at him. âAthan will betray you as soon as he gets what
he wants.â
Sorin took a cautious step forward. âYour concern is touching, Raine. Athan is a means to an end. Just like you.â Another step. âHe only wants the child youâre carrying. As soon as heâs born, Athan will kill you and all of your power will go to the child.â
âIs that what he told you?â I wriggled my wrist more, clenching my teeth as the silver burned. through my skin, leaving it raw and bleeding.
âPoor Raine. Did you think he wanted you because he loves you?â He came closer. âThat you are so irresistible to all men?â
I smelled his arousal, and it revolted me. Sorin touched my face, his fingers lingering on my lips. My reaction was instinctive and fast. I bit off the first digit of his middle finger.
âYaaahâ¦â he screamed, highâpitched like a girl.
I spat out blood and the piece of his finger and laughed hysterically while he doubled over, cradling his bleeding appendage.
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