Page 66 of November Reign
“Good luck,” they all whispered in turn before going through the portal.
“Be safe,” Thyme mouthed.
I hoped it wouldn’t be the last time I’d see him properly. There was so much left unsaid between us.
When I got to the car, Aster’s body was being jammed into the trunk.
“I might have killed her a little bit,” Damon admitted before closing the lid, hiding her from view.
“What happened?” I headed for the driver’s seat.
“She wanted to compare me to my brother. She was fucking Basil, by the way.”
“Figured as much. Probably promised her and half a dozen others a spot at the top next to him.”
“Yeah. If she hadn’t tried to sexually assault me, I might have let her live, but she was just creepy.”
“This is going to sound harsh, but she chose her side. I’m just glad I made sure you were awake before I left.”
“Yeah, thanks for that. Appreciate it. Um, sorry about your lip,” he offered as he got into the back seat.
“Sorry about your arm. You okay?” I started the car. The driveway was pretty long, but it wasn’t long enough. Soon I was on the road to Northarbor.
“It’ll be fine. I found a pain tonic in the kit. Even with the magic nullifier, it’s working.”
“Good.”
“Oak?”
“Yeah?”
“When we get there, I need you to dig deep and really sell it, okay? Every thought is how I’m your prisoner, you hate me and you’re doing as you’re told, alright?”
“Why?”
Damon shook his head. I could see him in the rearview mirror.
“You’re the worst damn actor. I need you to believe you’re betraying us all by giving me up.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Northarbor was under an inch of snow, turning the gray streets white. The road conditions were terrible, making the drive last longer. Damon lay on the back seat curled around his aching arm. His eyes were closed, his mouth pinched in pain. Guess the potion hadn’t worked all that well.
I didn’t look around me when I parked the car. Just got out and rounded the vehicle to the side where Damon’s head lay. When I opened the door, I didn’t give him time to fight, just grabbed his hair and pulled him to the ground.
Bitterly cold air bit into my exposed skin. Snow flurries filled the air and muffled the sounds my unwilling companion was making. Snow stuck to his legs as I pulled him beside me. It clung to his eyelashes and landed on his damp cheeks.
Hand still in his hair, I dragged him forward. He was a mess. Bloody lip, swollen eye, bruises. I bet to the outsider it looked like he’d really fought me. His arm, he clasped to his side. Yeah, it really was broken. Fuck. He shivered from the cold, only clothed in a torn shirt and pants. I had no clue where he was hiding weapons.
With a shove, I launched him forward, disgust on my face. He landed at Basil’s feet with a cry of pain. The bastard took hold of his prisoner with a look of unrestrained glee.
“Oh, what a prize you’ve brought me!”
“We’re done,” I barked, flexing my fingers in my agitation. I needed this to be over. My magic swirled within me, wanting out, sensing danger. “You got what you wanted. Stick to the terms of the agreement.”
Basil’s eyes twinkled with amusement. He tightened his grip on Damon’s shoulder, keeping him upright. Even though it looked painful, Damon didn’t make a sound, just kept his eyes on his surroundings.
“Of course! As if I’d lie to you, darling.”
