Page 6 of Lunar Desires
“I’m not playing here,” she threw out. “Don’t make me get to zero.”
Riley moved toward the door. “We can’t let her hurt anyone.”
“And I can’t let her hurt you,” I countered, following him.
He clenched his hands into fists again. “It’s my job to protect people, isn’t it?”
“From a bigger threat further down the line, yes. Not like this.”
He didn’t answer.
Shit. I’d dragged him into this with the soul bond, forcing us into close proximity. It was supposed to be broken after Jonathon’s attack at the mansion, but had gone on to extend its range instead.
All this was because of me. I’d wanted to leave the mansion after the soul bond made him vulnerable to his uncle’s attack. Without me hanging around, he’d be free of me and my bullshit. He deserved better, his feelings and kisses misplaced on a worthless man like me. Yet I hung around like a bad smell, clinging to the hope he naturally exuded.
And I’d pulled him straight into the belly of the beast. Marcus Kingwood wanted him and Isaac alive, for some nefarious reason, and I’d basically just handed him over.
I’ll make this right…
I darted around him, slamming my hand on the button to open the door, putting myself between him and the enemy.
Rhianna chuckled, her lips spread in her usual cruel smirk.
My heart jackhammered under the scrutiny of the shadow witches.
You won’t have him…
“The Moon,” a man hissed as Riley moved beside me.
“Much better,” Rhianna said sweetly, her grating tone testing my gag reflex. “Now, we have a lot to talk about, don’t we?” She never took her wicked gaze off me. “Firstly, if The Moon tries anything, these people die. You might have the power of illusion and flinging people, Riley,” she paused, brow furrowing, “but I’ve got trigger happy people here with faster reflexes than any cowboy in a Western. Got it?”
“Got it,” Riley answered.
“Feel free to try, of course. If you want to play hero.”
Riley didn’t react.
She licked her lips, her eyes flicking to The Moon. “You’re lucky my dad wants you intact, otherwise I’d be taking some teeth for you throwing me.” She laughed, her cronies echoing her.
What was funny? “You?—”
“Speak and someone dies!” Rhianna howled, her voice startling pigeons up in the rafters.
I made a quick inspection of our surroundings, formulating an exit strategy to get Riley out of here. If anything happened to him, we’d lose the sacred power of his blood before it got the chance to fully develop.
Shadows swam in the glass roof like ink in water, swirling around clusters of Hecate Crystals—shimmering white shards that were the source of all magic on Earth.
Those same shadows fell in misty curtains around us, blocking access to the concourse and the far end of the platform, trapping us in a prison of evil magic.
I should’ve seen this move coming. Of course, she’d be waiting here like a wolf ready to slaughter some juicy lambs.
A low growl rumbled in my chest. For Rhianna, for my stupidity.
If he dies, I’ll?—
I drew a deep breath, doing my best to circumvent the guilt.
I’ll make this right…
