Page 60 of Bound to the Dreadlord

His pupils dilate. His fingers twitch.

I almost have him.

He wrenches back.

Rage flashes in his eyes, dark and sudden.

A hand slams across my face. Pain explodes.

My head snaps sideways.

The taste of copper blooms against my tongue.

I breathe through it.

I do not make a sound.

He exhales slowly, regaining himself. “Clever.”

A finger traces my jaw, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I let him see the fire behind my eyes.

His amusement returns.

“You’ll make a fine little pet,” he murmurs, rising to his feet. “Once we break you.”

The others laugh again.

I bare my teeth.

I will never break.

He turns, motioning to someone beyond my sight.

“Prepare her for transport.”

I still. What?

He casts a final look over his shoulder.

“Lord Veylan will be very interested in what we’ve taken from him.”

Then he is gone.

The laughter fades with him.

I am left alone.

The silence presses in.

My heart hammers against my rib cage.

Not from fear.

From rage.

They think they’ve won.

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