Page 107 of The Devil's Trials

Scanning the space, I bypass the sitting area and go right for the other door. An odd mix of dread and excitement zips through me when I turn the knob and the door opens. I guess I was expecting it to be locked.

Taking a deep breath to center myself, I pull the dagger from my jacket and slip out of the room, ready to dive into a fight.

The hallway is empty.

I deflate, exhaling slowly and peering around the area. The walls are neutral and decorated with modern works of art. My footsteps are quiet on the dark wood, and I squint a little at the lighting above.

I’m going to make Blake pay for this damn headache.

It’s brighter out here, the contemporary fixtures hanging from the high ceiling drowning the space in crisp light.

I do my best to ignore the thumping in my head as I continue down the hall, my grip on the dagger making its solid metal hilt bite into my skin.

I’m halfway between the bedroom and the top of a staircase when a shiver zips up my spine.

I freeze, holding my breath. Alarm bells blare in my head, which doesn’t help the throbbing behind my eyes, but there’s nowhere to run. I won’t make it out of here, and the certainty of that makes my jaw clench.

I know it’s him before I whirl around.

My eyes lift to Xander’s immediately, my muscles locking as I take him in. He looks the same as when I saw him in New York, except he’s clean shaven, his hair tousled just right. He’s also dressed more formally than I’m used to, in a light gray dress shirt under a black suit jacket and matching slacks. His attire is impeccable.Royal.

He regards me with a curious glint in his eyes, cocking his head to the side. “Going somewhere,mo shíorghrá?”

“Kitchen,” I lie without missing a beat. “I’m feeling snacky.”

Xander chuckles. “Try again.”

I slink back, my eyes narrowing. “Was I meant to stay in that room? Maybe you should’ve locked the door. Better yet, is there a dungeon in this place you’d like to cage me in?”

He steps toward me, and it takes everything in me not to bolt. My posture stiffens, and he notices, frowning briefly. “I’m not going to lock you up.”

I swallow hard, glancing past him, back the way I came. I don’t think that’s the way out of here…I need to get to the main floor. I need to getto the stairs I was heading for. So I have to keep him talking, distracted, and then make a break for it. “I can leave then?”

His brows tug closer, a muscle feathering along his jaw. “No.”

I blink at him, shaking my head. “You see why that might be a problem for me?”

“You’re here so I can ensure your safety.”

“Why?” The question leaves my lips before I can snap my mouth shut. In the time it takes me to blink, Xander closes the remaining distance between us. I suck in a sharp breath and stumble back, but Xander catches my wrist, plucking the dagger from my grip.

That maneuver sets off something in me, and I lunge forward, slamming my fist into his jaw. His head barely moves, and pain flares across my knuckles as I curse at him.

Still I try again, but he catches my fist in his hand, using that grip to push me back until I hit the wall. He cages me in, moving faster than I can follow. Between one moment and the next, he tucks my dagger in the waistband of his slacks and has my arms pinned to the wall above my head. I continue to struggle, lifting my knee to try and sock him hard enough he’ll let go of me, but he dodges each of my attempts with an ease that has anger burning hot in my chest.

“Stop fighting me,” he says in a level voice, his chest pressed against mine, invading my senses with his proximity and a hint of aftershave.

“Let me go,” I pant, gritting my teeth, but don’t stop trying to free my wrists from his grasp.

“I will once you settle down.”

I give one last fruitless attempt to break free, shooting him a dark look before I stop fighting. My chest rises and falls quickly against his as I catch my breath. His eyes roam over my face, bringing heat to my cheeks, but I force myself to hold his gaze when it meets mine. Slowly, he frees my wrists, and I drop them back to my sides, clenching my hands to keep from slamming them into his chest. It won’t do any good, but the urge is strong nonetheless.

“Why did Blake bring me here?”

Xander takes a small step back, giving me room to breathe. “Let’s not have this conversation in the hallway.”

I scowl. “I don’t give a fuck where we are. I want answers. Now.”

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