Page 46 of Shackled to the World
He gave her a sheepish look, and it was all she could do to hold onto her hurt and anger.
Before she had a chance to react, a fierce scowl crossed his face, his hair twisting wildly. “What the hell was that whole act outside about, then? Why make yourself a target?”
A beat of silence followed before he answered the question himself. “It’s the same with the witches. You’re building your army in preparation for your father.”
When he narrowed his eyes at her, still furious, she gave a shrug. “I’m betting that the shifters would rather I fight with them instead of being used as a weapon against them.”
“Unless they decide to eliminate the threat of you completely.” His voice was a low rumble, the muscles of his arms flexing, as if he was already mentally ripping apart anyone who would try to harm her.
Annora reached up and cupped his face. His anger vanished at her touch, his expression startled. “It’s a risk I was willing to take. I’ll do whatever I have to do, fight anyone I have to fight for a chance to stay with you and the rest of the guys.”
His eyes darkened and he reached up, grabbing her wrist, holding her to him. Giving in to impulse, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his.
His eyes widened, then his breath left him in a rush. A second later, he lunged forward, wrapping her up in his arms and sweeping her off her feet, taking control of the kiss like initiating contact had given him permission.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, her eyes widening in shock when his thick erection pushed against her, and she made a startled noise at the back of her throat. The fucker was massive. She knew he was a troll, that he would be proportionate to his size, but couldn’t imagine how he thought all that would fit.
Very reluctantly, he lifted his head. He gazed down at her with heavy-lidded eyes, then the corners crinkled in amusement, as if he could read her thoughts and couldn’t contain humor. “Don’t worry, I know how to use it. You’ll be more than ready for me when the time comes.”
She nearly choked on her laughter, giving him a dubious look, but he looked so smug, so confident, she believed him. Heat pooled between her thighs, and she shivered in anticipation. “Really? Maybe you should show me.”
His breath exploded out of him at the dare, a deep groan vibrating from his chest as he lowered his head toward hers. He demolished her lips, taking control of the kiss. She was startled by his fangs, then moaned when he nipped at her, the sting making her skin extra sensitive.
Unable to resist demanding more, she reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair. The strands pulled her closer, enjoying the attention. Then she ran her fingers lightly along the crown of horns buried in his hairline and felt more than heard his tortured grunt. He stumbled forward, shoving her back against the wall, using his weight to pin her, then ran his hands down her body.
His palms ghosted along her skin, so gentle she barely felt them until her body was tingling with pleasure. He shoved his hands under her sweater, his touch rough, as if his control was fraying, and she gave a hum of approval.
He boldly cupped her breast, capturing the tip between his fingers and squeezing deliciously, and she couldn’t stop the way her legs tightened around him, which shoved his erection against the growing ache between her thighs. Unable to help herself, she did it again. When his hand came to rest on her hip, he surged against her, taking over.
With each thrust, her lust increased until there was only his hands and his mouth and his erection as she fell apart in his arms. He pulled away, completely content to watch as her awareness came flooding back, a pleased, possessive expression on his face.
Then he dropped a chaste kiss on her lips, tugged her shirt back into place, and carefully lowered her to the ground. She staggered, her legs needing a second to remember how to function. Before she had a chance to catch her breath, he wove their fingers together and led her topside.
“I’ll show you more after we get Logan back.”
It was a promise, and she shivered at his husky tone, heat spilling into her stomach, already craving more. Before she could voice her thoughts, they stepped out into the quad. She took a deep breath, but it did little to calm the way her body longed for more of his touch.
They’d only gone a few yards when a group of five young witches surrounded them. Four of them were wearing clothes that cost more than what she made in a week from the university. All but one of them were girls.
“Hey, you. We need to talk.” The girl in front was all attitude, her black hair sleek and perfectly groomed. She was a stunner, not a single blemish on her skin. Everyone in her posse was the same, so cloaked with magic that it snapped angrily along Annora’s skin. Four of them were smirking. Only one of them hung back, clearly not pleased to be there…or associated with the others.
Mason gave a muffled curse, untangling their fingers to stand in front of her, his frame bulking up even as she watched.
“We don’t want trouble.” He crossed his arms in a way that made his muscles appear even more intimidating. “Leave.”
“Not you,” the witch snipped, then pointed at Annora. “Her.”
Mason refused to budge, his smile displaying his massive fangs.
Completely undaunted, the lead witch rolled her eyes, waved her hand and said something in Latin. Magic splashed in the air, hitting Mason in the chest even as Annora tried to shove him out of the way, but his bulk was impossible to move.
The spell soaked into his skin, and the very air around him turned frigid.
She circled him, looking up at his eyes…to find him completely frozen in place.
Anger flared to life within her so fast and so bright the air around them became murky as a dark fog from the afterworld rose up from the ground and seeped into the human world.
She whirled on the lead witch. “What the fuck did you do?”
