Page 98 of Shackled to the World
She brushed the pad of her thumb over the slightly raised tattoo on her wrists. Warmth instantly flooded her, leaving her skin tingling. Edgar lifted his fathomless blue eyes toward her as if sensing her attention, his gaze warming from its usual biting chill, and he smiled at her.
Logan distracted her by giving her a kiss on her forehead, then disappeared into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Mason gathered her close, giving her a quick hug, rubbing his large hands soothingly up and down her back before he kissed the top of her head and went to help Logan.
Xander cupped the back of her neck and pulled her close. “I’ll get things set up for our training session.”
“Umph.” Annora leaned into him, her head dropping forward to rest against his chest, her body already aching at the thought of his training.
It was pointless to ask him to go easy on her.
He gave her hair one last tug, then pulled away. As he headed for the basement, she noticed Kevin and Terrance were waiting off to the side. Xander gave them a sharp look, noting their battered appearance, then sighed and opened the door. “If you’re going to live here, you’re going to have to train harder. You’re no way in shape enough to train with the elite teams.”
He disappeared down the stairs. The brothers looked at each other, grinned like fools, and followed him down into the darkness.
Camden ran a single finger along her jaw, then bumped his knuckle under her chin before he dropped his hand. “I’ll just be outside if you need me.”
Edgar turned from Sadie, bowing slightly toward Annora. “I’ll go collect Willa and be back shortly.”
It was both a warning and a promise.
He didn’t wait for her response, simply disappeared outside by way of the door.
Annora headed up the stairs, stopping when she noticed something was slightly off about her room. The air smelled different. Odd. Slightly dark and earthly, and she cursed.
Witches.
The fuckers searched her room, no doubt looking for the book.
Her eyes darted across the room to the closet. Even though she knew the book wouldn’t be there, she was drawn anyway. As she reached for the door, the afterworld curled around the edges without even being called.
The doorknob was cold against her palm, then warmed as if recognizing her touch, welcoming her home.
She was floored when she opened the door and saw the book was waiting for her.
“Annora?” Sadie was standing at the top of the stairs, scowling as she surveyed the room. Then her gaze locked on the closet door, her eyes widened almost comically. “What—”
Annora slammed the door shut, dispelling the afterworld, tiny grains of sand drifting down like rain, only to vanish in a puff of smoke as they hit the floor. She lifted her chin and looked at the cool, beautiful princess. “Are you here to kill me?”
Sadie’s attention snapped toward hers, then she shook her head and chuckled. “I think even if I tried, it wouldn’t be possible, would it?”
Annora wasn’t sure any longer and answered honestly. “I don’t know. You might have better luck than most if you use your sword. Nothing lives forever.”
Sadie heaved a sigh, the tension draining out of her. “To answer your question, no. I have no intention of harming you.” She ran her fingers through her hair, looking conflicted and confused. “I no longer know the right path anymore. Nothing is as I’ve been told.”
She straightened, as if she’d come to a hard decision. “But I do know that your Edgar is no longer my Alcott. He’s changed. For the better.”
She looked down and played with her fingers, her shoulders slumping. “I used to think he was the answer to all our problems. Now I know I was right—because it led me to you. After what you did last night, the sheer power you were able to gather…I only know one other person who could do such a thing.”
Annora’s stomach tilted wildly.
She already knew the answer. “My father.”
Sadie nodded, her face grim. “And he won’t be pleased. He’s stronger and faster thanks to years of practice, but you rival him for sheer power. Given time, I think you’ll surpass him, and he won’t be happy. If he can’t control you—”
“He’ll kill me.”
But Sadie was shaking her head. “He’ll try to break you first. He’ll go after you where you’re the most vulnerable.”
The guys.
