Page 190 of Bitten & Burned
My temper flared, but I kept it in check. He was goading me—trying to get me to snap so he could work whatever part of his plan relied on it.
“I could make it worth your while. If you left now. Went back to your coven and told them she was gone.”
Now I was angry.
“I would never do that to her. I’m taking her with me.”
Silas sighed. “If you do that, another one of your kin will bring her to me. Not entirely unscathed. You’re setting her up for pain.”
“You’resetting her up for pain. Creating it, even. You’re orchestrating all of this. All because you had feelings for a student…” I sneered. “What, were you too incompetent to find someone your own age? Someone who didn’t rely on you for guidance? You’re disgusting.”
He snapped. “She’s beautiful. Intelligent. I’ve never met anyone like her. If you could have feelings, you wouldn’t blame me.”
“I have plenty of feelings, and not one has ever pushed me to forcibly take a woman who didn’t want me.”
“I won’t have to force her. She’ll come to me willingly.”
“You forced her here. You took her from Blackthorn. Seems like it was probably against her will.”
I was closing in, a little proud of myself for holding my own against him verbally. But I was no Vael, for once, I wished he’d been here instead of me. He’d have been better for this.
And then I heard it. Again.
”Quil…”
Silas smiled. “There it is. The tether she holds you on. She’s tugging it, Ashborne. Better go running.”
It’d be so quick to kill him.
But he’d gotten inside my head. He could be the only one who could cure her. How could I kill the only thing that might bring her relief? I couldn’t live with myself if I did that. It was already hard enough.
I sneered at him and turned, running towards her scent. Her voice.Her.
I stopped outside a heavy wooden door and heard her again on the other side.
“Quil… please…”Weak, but steady.
“Back away from the door, sweetheart.”
I didn’t hear her move, but gods, the bond calmed immediately upon hearing my voice. I tried to figure out a way to open the door.
Fuck it.
I rammed my shoulder into it. It hurt, but there was some give. I did it again. And again. Finally, it splintered, and I shoved it down to the floor with my hands?—
—and that’s when I saw her.
Thirty
RESCUED
From Dun Drummond to the Veilwood, Sol, Verdune
29 Ebry, Year 810
I heard him arrive.His voice was like cool water on a burn.
I was still on the floor, unable to move.
