Page 31 of Bought to Break

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‘A witch,’ Viktor said with a sneer. ‘She’s no more a witch than I am!

‘If not a witch, then what? I felt different around her. You did too. What do the stories say other than that they were hunted by the Brothers and their numbers dwindled after the Army became mercenaries? We aren’t just drawn to her, we are two sides of the same coin, she makes the darkness in us recede. I need to look through the scrolls and the old books from the archives, but she is one. I’m sure of it.’

Viktor still didn’t look convinced. ‘Whether she is or she isn’t, she cannot be brought here.’

‘What can we do? You can bet we’re being watched. We can’t leave to warn them, and they won’t let us near the birds to send a message. But Kane is no fool. He must realise that she needs to be claimed at least by him before they set foot this side of the river.’ Sorin began to walk in the direction of their unit’s tent.

Viktor caught up to him with a few long strides ‘But it’s Kane. When was the last time you even saw him with a woman? After what he did to her in the tent, we shouldn’t have left her for him to find. He arranged it so we thought we had to leave or face Greygor’s wrath so he could chase her down himself. What if he brings her here on purpose, knowing what the Commander will do to her? I know you think he has another side, Brother, but he’s cruel, brutal. That’s why he’s Greygor’s second in command. His loyalty is to us, then Greygor and the Brothers, not to Lana.’

Sorin rubbed his eyes. ‘That’s what Greygor is counting on, but Kane knew the moment he saw Lana that she was different. By the time he gets here, he will feel as protective of her as we do. He won’t be able to put her at risk even if it puts him at war with his nature. I hope.’

‘And what about her punishment? She stole from the Brothers. The soldiers will start talking as soon as they arrive. The whole camp will know within a day, and Greygor will insist the law be followed as a matter of pride.’

‘If she’s claimed by us, the law should be void, but you’re right. He might demand it regardless. For now, though, we can only wait.’

Chapter 16

Lana

Lana’s hands shook as she pulled her dress down and plaited her hair. She could feel Kane’s eyes boring into her back as he quickly packed up his supplies and she couldn’t help but flush. She’d spent years avoiding men wherever possible and now her body was betraying her and she wanted three of them! When had she become so wanton?

After her da, her mother had taken a few lovers before settling on her stepfather. Although it may have been remarked upon, no one had really thought much about it. Lana was a slave. It was a given that she would be used that way eventually, but she wasn’t supposed to enjoy it. What would people say? But then she wasn’t in her village anymore. Who was there to judge her but herself?

Kane pulled her up onto the horse. Her ribs twinged, but the pain was nothing like it had been the previous day. The Brothers’ salve did indeed heal quickly. He settled her in front of him, and she could feel his hardness prodding behind her like an unsatisfied beast. She tried to move away, but he put his arm around her waist and hauled her flush against him with a growl.

‘Tell me the rest of it, woman.’

‘I have a name. It’s Lana,’ she said curtly.

‘Very well. Tell me the rest of it.Lana.’ He said her name in barely a whisper that she felt on the back of her neck, and she shivered.

‘My friend didn’t want me to leave,’ she began but stopped when she heard him snort.

‘I know who your friend is, woman. No more lies and half-truths or I’ll take a whip to that round little arse of yours at the camp.’

Lana gasped in spite of herself and twisted round to look at him. ‘A whip?’

‘Perhaps, as its your first time, I’ll go easy on you and use my hand.’

‘It’s hardly the first time I’ve been beaten,’ she said flippantly, though in truth the thought of it made her stomach revolt.

‘The way I do it, it will feel like it,’ he promised, his arm around her tightening.

She swallowed hard. ‘The man from the house … I was searching for him.’

‘Go on,’ Kane urged.

She closed her eyes and grimaced. ‘He’s my father. I thought he was dead,’ she continued hurriedly. ‘My mother told me he was dead.’

Kane was silent and she realised that she’d surprised him. He was probably not a man used to that.

‘And?’ he finally asked.

Lana sighed. ‘When I found him, I thought that I was safe. But I overheard him speaking with his man. He was going to make me marry as soon as it could be arranged. He doesn’t care for me; he only wanted to use me.’

‘Who?’

‘What?’