Page 97 of Cursed
Complete desolation coursed through my body. I slumped, my gaze on the black floor.He’ll never return to the light after this. Why would he?
It didn’t matter I’d fallen in love with him, but my love would never compare to what he had now—a true family and unbridled power. Vengeance was an unrelenting motivator, and love became nothing in the face of such temptations.
Cain’s soft leather boots filled my vision.
I looked up, a glimmer of hope stirring in my chest.Maybe I’m wrong, and he’s going to rescue—
“We’re done, human.” His upper lip curled and pure loathing twisted his face, reminding me of our first meeting in the cave, when he’d almost killed me.
I had to try one last time. Seeing him like this, cold and calculating, stabbed sharp pain into my chest.
“Please.” Reaching a hand toward him, I tried one more time. “Please.” I didn’t know what exactly I asked of him.Please don’t leave meorPlease don’t let them win.But I had to do something because I didn’t want to lose him, or what had begun to grow between us.
“I hate beggars.” He jerked back from my touch. Something flashed deep in his eyes...anger or loathing.
I let my arm drop to my side and blinked back tears, my throat hot and painful, my heart shriveling into something wrinkled and hard.
“I’ve fulfilled mypreciousmission.” His icy-blue silver eyes flickered down my body, then returned to meet my stare. “Malachi, make sure to save me a turn when you’re done with her.”
How can he be so cold, so cruel?He couldn’t; there was no way. I knew he felt something with me. Why would he have gone through so much trouble to try to figure another way out?
Before he could pull away, I threw my hands around his neck and whispered, “I love you.”
“Do not touch a Chosen.” He backed away then glanced over his shoulder to Malachi. “Will you agree to share her with me? I never got a chance to take what she so obviously wanted to give. I think I’ll enjoy being the last to break her will. If you don’t mind, brother.”
I released him as if he’d been made of fire, horror replacing the agony in my heart.
That’s all I am, a thing to elevate him to his purpose. How could I have ever believed he might love me...or I could trust him?
Nausea welled up from my stomach, burning my esophagus. I willed it back down because there was no way I’d give these monsters the satisfaction of knowing how frightened they made me.
“Truly?” Malachi’s jaw slackened for a moment as he peered at Cain, then an evil smile curved his lips. “You surprise me. Perhaps I was wrong about you.”
“Cain, please don’t leave me here,” I whispered, searching his face for any sign of compassion.
He narrowed his eyelids and grunted, not even bothering to give me a response.
With a sidestep, Cain turned to Lucian and clasped his hand. “Thank you for everything, Father. I’ve waited for this moment for so long.”
Lucian bared his teeth in a smile. His otherworldly beauty made it hard to stare too long, but in the few seconds I managed to focus, something cunning flashed in his eyes. Lucian’s hold on Cain had tightened with this new gift, and he would continue to manipulate his protégé until only blackness filled Cain’s soul.
My ribcage exploded, and my heart broke into pieces. I swallowed a sob.I’ll never see Tara, my world, or Mom again.I shuddered.
“Now,” Cain roared, lifting into the air with a flap of those glorious, dangerous wings, “Iwillhave my vengeance.” Like an arrow, Cain soared into the sky, through the dark, roiling clouds, and disappeared, leaving me to my fate.
Another sob rose and tore from my mouth. I clenched my fists, digging the nails into the soft skin of my palms.No more tears. I willnotlet them see my pain no matter what they do to me.
Someone grabbed my hair and jerked, pulling the roots so tightly I had to bite back a scream.
Malachi’s dispassionate gaze swept over my face. “Aw, poor little Phoebe. You thought your love would save him, didn’t you?”
“Go to hell.” Probably not the best response I could’ve come up with, all things considered, but I couldn’t think through the pain.This dude must have a hair fetish.I reached upward and clawed his skin, but he didn’t budge.
I expected him to be angry with my defiance, but his face smoothed and his lips widened in a sinister smile. “Idoso love a woman with spirit. It makes the breaking and taking so much sweeter.”
“Go screw yourself, you—”
“Get up,” he demanded, pulling me to my feet by my scalp.
