Page 135 of The Prince of Power

Hunter turns to me, and there’s something in his eyes I don’t quite like.

“Where, Hunter?”

“I won’t tell you unless you give me something.”

My vision tunnels, blood pounding in my ears as I stalk toward him. I don’t remember grabbing him—I only feel the wall shake when his back hits it.

“What do you want,” I shout.

There’s a flicker of some strange emotion in his eyes. Something dark and eager. “I want Lucy.”

I let go of him, and he rights himself. The room grows silent, save for the static hum of the lights overhead.

“YouwantLucy?”

His gaze locks with mine. “Yes.”

Shock floods through me. And then it twists into something darker.

“I ought to fucking kill you when this is over.” My voice is a deadly whisper.

Hunter’s expression doesn’t change. “You know I won’t hurt her.”

“I don’t know that.” I glare at him. “But if you do, I’ll tie your hands behind your back and gut you, let you bleed out slowly.”

Hunter’s eyes flash. “So you’ll do it then? She’s mine?”

She’s mine.My pulse thrums. I want to put my hands around his throat. Lucy—my baby sister—handed over like some bargaining chip.

But then there’s Ava. My whole world.

I hate that I’m forced to choose between them.

But it’s not really a choice, is it?

Lucy is my blood. But Ava is the air I breathe.

“What do you want her for?” I ask.

“My consort.”

I shut my eyes, inhaling a deep, shaky breath to calm myself. “If you force her?—”

“Jesus, Damian. Of course I won’t. I’ll let her come to me.”

When a wicked smile tugs at his lips, rage pulses through my veins. “You’re not who I thought you were.”

“No, I’m not.”

I rake a hand through my hair. “Fine.”

Hunter doesn’t gloat—he’s not that stupid—but I see the glint of triumph in his eyes. “Good. We’ll leave within the hour.”

“We’ll leave sooner,” I burst out. “Where is she?”

“A small island just off Santa Barbara. It’s impossible to miss, but getting there is another story. Security runs tighter than a noose.” He shrugs. “You can try to storm it if you want, but you’ll die before you make it to the front gate.”

“So what’s your plan?”

---