Page 74 of Soul Sucker

“And there’s another thing.”

“What?” he murmured into her sweet-smelling hair.

“There’s a shitload of magic swirling around down here. Even if we did get out I’m worried about what we’d encounter next.” She swallowed hard. “Do you think the Siren had anything to do with this?”

“I’m not sure, but I don’t like the feel of it, either.”

She sagged against him. “Then we’re stuck. I know I’m not due to go nuts until my birthday, but I think I’ll make a start now.”

He took a deep breath. “There is one alternative.”

“What?”

“You won’t like it.”

“Tell me.”

“Youreallywon’t like it.”

“Tell me!”

“If we were a mated pair, we might double our powers.”

“What exactly does ‘might’ mean?”

“Mated couples take on some of their partners’ magic abilities.”

“But I don’t have any.”

“You do, but I have a lot more.”

“And how would that help us?”

“If we doubled my magic, we might be strong enough to find a way through that escape hatch.”

She rested her head against his chest and he closed his eyes. Anger shook through him. He had a terrible sense that they were both being manipulated, but he had no idea by whom.

“Are you just saying this because you want to have sex with me?”

“Yes, that’s it, Ms. Walsh. I just want to fuck you before I die. I set this all up to get in your pants.” He took a steadying breath. “It’s your decision. We can wait it out, and hope someone raises the alarm, or we can mate and try and save ourselves.”

“You don’t sound very happy about it.”

“What do you expect? It’s not exactly a great situation is it?”

She touched his cheek, her thumb catching the corner of his mouth. “It’s not exactly fair either. If we go ahead, I get all the benefits and you get saddled with a mate for life.”

“I already offered to mate with you.”

“But what happens when you find a woman you really love and want to marry?”

“Ella, we don’t have time to discuss this in depth right now. Either accept me or wait it out. I’m okay with either option.”

She rested against him, her body still trembling.

“I don’t want to go mad and die, Morosov,” she whispered.

“Then live.”

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