Page 69 of Deadly Alliances

“I think now is the perfect time for me to get a taste, don’t you?” And swift as lightning, she lowered her head and bit into Shea’s breast!

Shea gasped in pain, terror blanching her face as Marguerite swept her arms behind her and cradled her body while she drank.

My entire being was an inferno of fury, my eyes bulging as I watched her defilemy mate!And I couldn’t do a damn thingabout it. Damn these fucking cuffs! Damn the copper crippling my strength! And damn Marguerite!

I couldn’t even dare react. Not now. If I made any signal of distress, there would be nothing stopping Marguerite from crushing Shea in her embrace and draining her dry. I had to act like I didn’t care, which meant denying every instinct I had.

The instant Marguerite pulled away, I averted my gaze, willing my features to remain neutral, which was incredibly difficult as murderous rage was coursing through my body, bunching and tensing every single muscle.

“Mmm, delicious,” Marguerite purred, smacking her lips audibly. “Okay, get dressed. We don’t want to keep Hadrian waiting.” She brushed her hands together in a gesture of finality.

Without a word, Shea slipped into the dress, the clamor of feet slapping the floor telling me she tripped in the process. But I didn’t dare turn my head in her direction. For the moment, she was no longer in imminent danger. Though, in reality, every second she spent in this compound was a devastating threat to her life.

“Beautiful.” Marguerite clapped. “Doesn’t she look beautiful?”

I ignored her, staring blankly at the black curtain that hung over the window.

“Julian?” Marguerite snapped her fingers several times until I finally rolled my head in her direction. “Doesn’t Shea look beautiful?”

I finally let my eyes fall on my beloved witch, and she did, indeed, look stunning. The green satin hugged her figure, flattering and accentuating her curves before dropping into a shimmering cascade at her waist. The thin straps that held the gown on her shoulders left her smooth flesh on display, from thetop of her neck to the deep V of her breasts.

To my credit, I managed to keep my expression deadpan and completely devoid of interest. I tried to shrug, but the gesture must’ve looked like an awkward flop of my shoulders, which ached at the effort.

Marguerite giggled. “Don’t mind him. But I’m sure you know how pissy he can be.”

“Oh, I’m not surprised,” Shea said in a catty tone. “He never had much interest in me beyond my magic, and I prefer it that way, honestly.”

“Indeed,” Marguerite mused. “Well, come along.”

“Actually,” Shea interrupted as Marguerite began to tote her out of the room. “I need to use the ladies room. You know, human bladder and all that.” She inclined toward Marguerite in a confiding gesture and whispered loudly. “And between you and me, the food here isn’t the easiest on the digestive system, if you know what I mean.”

Marguerite grimaced, and in any other circumstance, I would’ve barked a knee-slapping laugh at the contortion of her deceptively pretty face. “Eww. Spare me the details of your disgusting human habits.” She shooed Shea away as she took a large step sideways. “Fine. Do your business and then return promptly downstairs.”

And she swept out of the room like a ghost, slamming the door behind her.

Shea hovered on the spot for a moment, craning her neck as if to listen to the hall outside. Decided it was safe, she ran to my side, dropping to her knees to kneel beside the bed.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, slipping her delicate hand into mine.“Can you ever forgive me?” The deep love flowing from her gorgeous green eyes took my breath away.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I whispered, squeezing her hand though it was little more than a flinch.

“You don’t understand,” she whimpered softly. “Hadrian—he—he made me—I opened the roof of the Sunroom.” She sucked her lips between her teeth as soon as the confession left them.

I looked at her for a long moment as the meaning of her words sunk in, and my heart cracked. Not for whatever perceived betrayal she imagined, but forher. Of course, Hadrian would make her do something to prove her obedience and loyalty. I couldn’t imagine how hard that must’ve been for her, how hard it must still be now.

“It’s okay, Shea,” I whispered. “It changes nothing.”

She shook her head, a tear dropping. “But that’s not it. My bargaining chip for entering the school was making Hadrian a daywalker. That’s why they’re having this ridiculous party. The spell worked.”

Dread oozed across my chest. That was a problem. Hadrian was already a formidable threat as it was. Without the restriction of the sun, he’d be unstoppable.

“He expects me to create an army of daywalkers,” she said, biting her lip. “We have to leave before that happens.”

“But how?” I asked.

“Caesar, Kai, and my aunt are waiting in the forest,” she informed in an even tighter whisper. “As soon as I give them the signal, they’ll help us get out. But I have to coordinate with Tobias and the other dragon, and Arya is refusing to listen to reason.”

“Wait, we’re getting all of them out?” I balked. “That’s impossible.”

---