Page 5 of Malice
“What did you do?” I breathed.
“Is now really a time for questions? We have to go. I can only suspend time for so long before I’ll be forced to release him.”
“You’ve been keeping secrets, pet.”
He tightened his grip on my hand. “So have you. Now, darling, take us to safety.”
If this were any other situation, I would have corrected his insolence and reminded him of exactly who was in control, but he was right. We needed to get out of here.
My gaze flicked to the broken chain dangling from his neck. Then again, perhaps I wasn’t in charge at all any longer. Now that the one thing connecting us was severed, I had no say over what he did. Our deal was all that had ever given me the upper hand. He’d just effectively ended it, and there was no way to know if he’d continue to cede his control to me.
The thought was as terrifying as it was thrilling.
“Lilith!”
I blinked, knowing that shock was the only reason I was operating so slowly.
Where the bloody hell could we go that wouldn’t endanger us or Merri? She was my first thought, but if I attempted to find her, I’d likely lead Lucifer directly to her. Gabriel had been unreachable and would be no help, even if I could locate him. The few other souls who bore my mark were either dead or useless—except for one perky little Blackthorne princess.
“I hope you’re up for company,” I muttered, closing my eyes and homing in on the connection between Rosie and me.
“Ouch! Cheese and rice, that hurt.” Rosie’s sweet, lilting voice hit my ears before I opened my eyes.
Relief flooded me as the unfamiliar room came into focus. I honestly didn’t give a twig where we were as long as Lucifer wasn’t in the room.
“A-are you o-okay, sugar?” Bentley Mercer asked, his large form protectively curling around his mate. “I-is it th-the pups?”
“No. It’s this blasted mark from...” Rosie’s amber eyes lifted to meet mine. “Oh my stars. Lilith?”
“Yes, it’s me. No time to explain. I need to speak to Asher.”
“And you had to hurt my mate instead of calling like a normal person?” Ben growled, his voice pure alpha wolf and lacking his usual stutter.
The air grew heavy with Drystan’s power, his palm coming to rest on the small of my back as he let out a low, “Watch yourself, wolf.”
A growl rumbled in Ben’s throat before Rosie got between them.
“Ben, I’m fine,” she insisted, pressing a hand to his chest. “It mostly startled me, to be honest.”
I could have apologized, but what was the point? It wasn’t like I wouldn’t do it again in a heartbeat if the need arose.
“We don’t have time for posturing. Where is Asher? I need to speak with him.”
“He’s in the den. He should be done soo—” Rosie began, but I turned away from her and stormed into the hall.
“This way?” I belatedly asked, not knowing exactly where I was going but trusting that the soft murmur of voices was a good indication.
“Well, yes, but—” she called as she chased after me. “They’ll be out in just a moment.”
“This can’t wait.”
All right,poppet. Now that you’re up to speed on what happened to me, we can pick this back up where we left off. No need to rehash a conversation you’ve already witnessed. Make sure you’re comfortable, darling. Things are about to get intense.
“Wait! That’s expensive equipment,”Asher protested as the camera fell to the floor and let out a pathetic burst of sparks before smoke curled into the air.
“I’d say I was sorry, but that would be a lie, and the fae don’t lie,” Drystan drawled.
I waved a hand. “Just send me an invoice, Asher. Or, if you’d prefer, I can make a donation to one of your beloved penguin sanctuaries.”
