Page 113 of Cursed Lifeline

Felix forces the tip of his blade into my chest and I cry out as it cuts sharply into my flesh. Behind him, Celeste screams in horror. My eyes flash to hers as they run over with tears. Blood begins to soak the front of her dress at the exact spot Felix is intent on running me through with his blade.

Dropping to my knees, Felix’s sword lowers and continues to lightly pierce through my skin as I plead, “Please, no. You’re hurting her.”

Glancing back over his shoulder, his hand holding his weapon begins to shake as he takes in the sight of Celeste pulling on her restraints as the blood continues to pool out of a phantom wound atop her breasts.

“Kill me,” I shout, bringing Felix’s attention back to the torture inflicted by his hand. His angry eyes hold mine. Pain. Heartache. Torture fills his gaze as he takes in the mirrored emotions brimming in my eyes. The end he’d hoped I’d meet is also stealing my reason for breathing, my reason for living, as Celeste continues to scream in pain the longer Felix continues to force his sword into my chest.

“Please, don’t hurt her. I’m to blame. You were right. I changed her against her will. Make me suffer. Take me out of this world. Just please, stop. I won’t live in a world where she endures any pain because of me.”

Kneeling to my level, Felix’s harsh eyes bore into mine. “Because of you, we lost. Because of you, the woman I love died tonight before I could lay down my life and save her. Because of you, Celeste is now damned for eternity. Because of you, Esme’s life, my life, Celeste’s life, will never be the same. Give me one good reason why I should listen to your pathetic pleading, Talon, before I erase your cursed existence for good.”

Over his shoulder, Celeste falls backward in pain. Yanking on her chains, blood continues to spread across her chest.

“Because if you kill me, you kill her,” I plead.

“Eye for an eye,” Felix grins maliciously. “You took Esme away from me. Seems fair I inflict the same pain.”

Unhinged, deranged, Felix stares down at me with a soulless need for retribution, no matter the cost. Losing Esme a second time has caused something inside him to snap. Glancing back at Celeste, I make him a promise I hope he’ll consider before taking me out of this world, “I swear to you, brother, let us live, and I won’t stop hunting the earth for Ember, for Viktor, for Esme and another way to break the curse.”

Looking up into Felix’s eyes, they widen at the mention of the last word. His forceful hand lessens, and the trembling in his grip increases. As the word takes root, Felix’s weapon falls to the floor and he takes a doomed step back.

Celeste falls to her knees as her pain gives way to relief once the sword drops to Felix’s feet.

“Release me,” I yell.

I’m surprised when Alfred and Caelum listen and let me out of their grip.

Rushing to Celeste, I draw her into my arms and search my pocket for the key to her chains. Each click of the locks around her wrists releasing her into my arms causes my heart to constrict. Her body falls lifeless into my lap. Angrily glancing up at Felix, I unlock her ankles next.

“I’ll hold you to that promise,” Felix bitterly hisses as he stalks past me to the exit. “Turn your back on me again, Talon; go against the coven, and I won’t stop from ripping your life away.”

He tosses Celeste a resentful glance as he makes his exit. The three watchers follow close behind. As the door to the dungeon closes, Celeste’s eyes flutter open as my healing touch grazes across her wounded chest. A moment later, her hand grips my wrist, intent on yanking it away.

“Shhh,” I soothe, “Please, let me take away the pain.”

Shaky breaths leave her lips as her eyes find mine. Her grip on my hand loosens. I unbutton the top of her gown and brush my fingertips against her maimed skin. She sucks in a sharp gasp as a soft glow emits from where I trail my powerful touch across her breast. She shivers as the energy rushing through my veins reaches through to hers and heals the wound. Softly, I brush my fingertips around the curve of her breast. Her back arches seductively.

“Talon,” she purrs as the pain subsides and a gentle euphoria fills her body. The sound of my name falling erotically from her lips causes me to dream of a future where she’ll let me hold her, just like I am now, and show her things that will arouse her in the same thrilling way until she’s breathlessly coming apart in my arms.

“This changes nothing,” she breathes heavily as the cut in her flesh closes, and my phantom shadows clear any remnants of blood away.

Brushing my fingers lightly against the goose pebbles beginning to spread across her flushed skin, I bite my lip as I button her gown and grin, “This changes everything.”

Looking down into her eyes, they lock desperately on mine as we both realize the truth we’ve been trying to ignore, and I say, “We’re bonded.”

Anger fills Celeste’s eyes. Sitting up, she forces me away and says, “I won’t be your servant, Talon.”

“No,” I whisper, confusion pulling at everything I’ve ever known to be true. Her eyes drift back to mine and I tell her, “I’m yours.”

Thirty Nine

Evangeline

song: shake it out | the weeknd remix

Mount Erymanthos, Greece

“Don’t touch me,”Viktor growls, cowering in the corner of the cave I’ve teleported us to. His bloodshot eyes anxiously search the darkness behind me as I timidly step closer. Reaching out to dab more ointment on his wound, he angrily bats my hand away and scowls, “You don’t listen very well, princess.”

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