Page 105 of Cursed Lifeline

“Threat?” Alfred laughs. “That’s funny, coming from you. Seeing as you’ve been intent on keeping your enemies close for over a century. Worked out well in your favor. Who are you to tell me it won’t work out in mine?”

“Thisenemy,” I seethe, “Holds the power to bring back an entity that could ruin us all with a snap of his fingers. I don’t remember my father, but I’ve been told the horror stories of how he terrorized nations when he reigned. No one was safe. Not even my own mother. If he’s resurrected, they’ll be hell to pay. Starting with my mother’s life for taking his. I won’t let that happen. Regardless of whatever erotic fantasy you have in your sex-deprived mind about a fae princess that’s more responsible for all of this than you think.”

A contemptuous laugh falls from Alfred’s lips. “Responsible? I know all the ways Evangeline is responsible for this. Starting with the loophole you wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for her. Or how about how she changed us, against her better judgment, just so we can help you in the future when you undoubtedly fuck everything up again.”

“Or,” I sigh angrily, leaning back in my seat, “How about how she’s the only one alive capable of performing the ritual Ember undoubtedly seeks to bring my father back to life.”

Alfred glances over his shoulder at Silas, who gives his brother a curt nod letting him know I am telling the truth.Alfred’s startled gaze swings back my way.

“Didn’t she tell you?” I cheekily ask.

His jaw ticks with rage. Rising from my seat, I take slow calculated steps around my desk.

“I guess hopeful wishing on stars make important details slip your mind, like the fact that your little princess is still here because I’ve commanded her to be. She’s not here for you, Alfred. She doesn’t stick around hoping to one day fulfill your pornographic fantasies. She’s here because, if she weren’t, I’d have her hunted down. And if she dares to raise my father from the grave, I’ll take her out before she ever gets the chance, and nothing you could do or say would stop me.”

Taking a heated step forward, Alfred raises a finger and points it aggressively in my face. “Touch a hair on her head, and I’ll fucking kill you.”

Grinning, I debate telling him to try when the door to my office slams open. Alfred, Silas, and I look to the left in unison. Caelum leans against the doorframe attempting to catch his breath.

Stepping towards him, I demand, “What is it?”

If he’s fucked things up again, I swear I’ll find a way to lose these three watchers in Esme’s next life.

“We have a problem,” he wheezes as he stands upright.

“Problems seem to follow you everywhere you go, Caelum. What seems to be the issue now?”

“Evangeline,” he breathes out.

Alfred’s fearful strides match mine as we make our way to the door.

“What about the pixie?”

Shaking his head, Caelum coughs up, “Esme.”

Gripping Caelum by his throat, I back him against the door he’s just barged through.

“What about Esme?”

Tightening my grip, the watcher’s eyes bug out of his skull. His face turns red.

“Felix,” Alfred demands. “Release him before you kill him.”

But the mention of the woman’s names together makes it impossible not to inflict pain for the horror that rises in my chest as I suspect the worst.

“Felix!” Alfred shouts as Caelum’s eyes roll back in his head, and a ghostly pale shade creeps through the crimson staining his face.

I release my hold and the watcher falls to his knees. Taking a step back, he gasps for his life that was just slipping through my fingers on the floor at my feet. Impatient with the time it takes him to catch his breath, even though I’m solely responsible for stealing it, I start to pace.

“What about Evangeline and Esme, Caelum? Tell us, or so help me, I’ll…”

“They’re gone,” Caelum wheezes out clutching his throat and attempting to rise.

My fearful gaze snaps to Alfred and Silas. Paralyzed by the admission, Alfred and I stare at each other, terrified, as Silas rounds the three of us and quickly leaves the room. Clutching Caelum up by the lapel of his jacket, I shove him towards Alfred and stalk off after Silas.

Determination fills the silent watcher’s deliberate stride as he ascends down the corridor toward the women’s quarters. I follow close behind, annoyed at the heavy breathing Caelum can’t seem to get under control as Alfred helps his brother down the hallway after us.

Raising his leg, Silas kicks open the door to Evangeline’s room and stalks into the dark chamber as if he’s been there before. Opening doors to the closet, the fae’s lavatory, he eventually flings back the covers to her bed and scowls up at me as he’s greeted with a mound of pillows meant to emulate human form.

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