Page 63 of Centaur Bolt

“If this works, we are ready for the next phase of my plan,” she purred. Her eyes were on me, but her words were only for him.

With my beast recently fed, I easily sensed what lay between them. More than just an energy exchange now. A suspicion confirmed when her eyes flashed, and a millisecond later, his followed.

They weremated.

My gut twisted. Why would Fate grant them such a gift? There was no doubt that they were well-matched, but mated...

Isobel turned around and pointed. “Put them over there.”

A group of Bellatis carted sacks into the room. Crystals glittered red from within. What was she up to now?

Finn’s tall, thin form also hove into view. “We topped him up pretty good this morning,” he said with a black-toothed grin. “He enjoyed every second of it.”

Isobel’s gaze returned to mine, and her lips curved in a cruel smile. “Excellent. Not so pure and innocent now, are we, my Satyr? You are sustaining yourself on the misery of others. Now we will see if I can channel that in a more useful way.”

I glared at her, but didn’t answer. Because I couldn’t deny the truth. They had turned me into a monster.

Brock scanned me and snorted. “Not much to him. Hard to believe he’s as powerful as he is.”

Isobel pushed into the Dragon, moving him back a step. “Don’t touch him. He can’t do anything to me, but he could kill you.”

Brock snorted. “He could try.”

Their eyes flashed as they leaned into each other. “If I didn’t need him, I wouldn’t keep him around,” Isobel stated. “He’s cost me a lot.”

Brock slid his hands around her waist. “You have been in hiding long enough. I dare anyone to come after you where we are going.”

Going? I looked from her to him. With Marcus and Havoc still in the wind, the secret of our location was severely compromised. Had she decided to move her base again?

No. It can’t be. Somewhere deep inside, I’d been holding out for a rescue.

Stupid me.

Marcus and Havoc might not be able to help me, but I could help them.

“Marcus didn’t shift form on his own when he got away the first time.” I straightened. “I pulled the equine from him. He isn’t any more in control than the others.”

Her eyes bored into me. I stared back, pushing only affirmation through my energy. It wasn’t entirely the truth. Marcus did have another who could help him transform, and she’d put him there. I didn’t think she’d made that connection, and maybe if she thought Marcus was as wild as the other Centaurs in her caves, she’d back off.

“When he shifted in the cave, he didn’t seem to have control,” Brock stated. “The wizardling might be right.”

Isobel tapped her chin, but I saw the calculation in her gaze. “The point is moot if we can’t catch him.”

Brock stiffened. “We’ll catch him.”

She tilted her head and assessed me. “My new plan has such promise. We might not need him.”

New plan? A chill chased down my spine, just as a cool hand trailed along my buttock. Laila stepped up beside me.

Isobel smiled at her. “In preparation for our new arrivals, we have a little trial planned. Brock’s idea, and it was a good one.” She slid her hand along his arm, and his body instantly responded to the touch.

No.I’d hoped she’d given up on the young Centaur idea. Perhaps I’d been too quick to take the pressure off Marcus… I looked to the crystals. She clearly intended to use me to accomplish her goal.

I’d fight her every step of the way.

My trepidation increased when the entire coven traipsed in behind them, including the three that were so heavily pregnant they looked as though they would give birth at any moment.

Laila moved over to them, and they all stood ready, hands raised.

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