Page 100 of Ransomed to the World
Chapter Twenty-seven
Annora stormed out of the tavern, the need to get back to the guys a compulsion she couldn’t ignore any longer.
Something was wrong.
Prem scampered ahead of her, poking at the shadows and clearing the way.
“Annora, wait!” Valen followed her into the streets, looking harried as he caught up with her, his cloak swirling around him in his haste. “You’re playing a very dangerous game pitting the two of them off each other.”
“You don’t think it’ll work?” She studied him, but didn’t slow her pace. Honestly, she was just glad to get out of there without having to kill anyone. That she had a tentative agreement to her spur-of-the-moment alliance was beyond her wildest expectations.
“It actually might be the only thing that does, but that doesn’t mean it’s without risk.” Valen flashed her a half-smile, falling into step next beside her, then his shoulders drooped. “Watch your back. They’re both cunning vipers, and whether you want to be or not, you are in the middle of it. Don’t let either of them pull you down with them.”
Annora spotted Prem peeking around a corner, beckoning her, and she didn’t hesitate to follow. The alley was empty, and she scooped the ferret up, giving him a pat of thanks before boosting him up to her shoulder.
She didn’t want others to see her vanish. She wanted to keep her secret about being a bridge, and her anonymity, for as long as possible, though she suspected she only had a few hours before the truth became common knowledge and her life blew up in her face again.
“I have to get back or Daxion will notice I’m gone. The claiming ceremony is tonight.” She stopped in the middle of the alley and turned toward her uncle, offering Valen a small smile. “I know being related to me isn’t easy. I’m sorry—”
“I’m not.” Valen gave her a rueful smile. “I was destined to die young. With Daxion as my brother, it was inevitable. I’m just sorry I couldn’t help you or your mother more.”
He pulled her close, hugging her to his chest, and Annora froze at the strange sensation. Prem patted her reassuringly, and she tentatively reached out and hugged Valen back.
Only she didn’t understand his sacrifice. “I don’t get it. Why did you give your life for us?”
Valen chuckled, his laughter rumbling in her ear, the sound surprisingly comforting, and Prem chittered happily. Then Valen backed up a step, holding her away from him, keeping his hands on her shoulders as he looked down at her. “Because we’re family. It’s what family does. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”
Prem reached out, patting Valen’s finger, and Valen tickled the little beast under his chin.
Annora could only gaze up at him, her thoughts grinding to a halt at the foreign thought of having a family member who cared about her, and she gave him a tentative smile. “Family…I’m not sure I know what that means anymore. The guys…they’re my family.”
“I’m glad. You chose well.” He dropped his hands and retreated. “I would consider it an honor to be counted as your uncle. Call me if you need me.”
Annora nodded and gathered the darkness around her, the pull to get back to the guys now urgent.
Valen watched the darkness, a troubled look on his face. “Be careful of Daxion and the council. They’ll forgive him for sleeping with a witch, but most will see you as an abomination. Even with all your power, they still consider themselves your betters.”
“And that’s why they won’t see me coming.” Annora gave him a cocky wave and let the darkness swallow her whole.
She couldn’t live her life in fear of Daxion or the council or the rebellion. She needed to live on her own terms, and the most important thing to her was getting her mates out alive. She was determined to do whatever it took to make that happen, even if she had to let the island sink beneath the sea.
She emerged back on her balcony, the gravity making her feel heavy, the air thicker. The sun was just a hint on the horizon, meaning she’d been gone all night. She glanced around the courtyard, but didn’t see anything out of order. Prem leapt off her shoulder onto the railing, sniffing the air, then dashed off, no doubt in search of food.
Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand on the doorknob…then stumbled when it was yanked forward, dragging her inside with it. Though she quickly released it, the momentum sent her stumbling, and she crashed into a ginormous chest.
The scent of pine and copper filled her lungs, and she immediately melted against his chest, hugging him close. “Mason.”
It felt like she’d been gone for ages.
He picked her up, her arms and legs automatically going around him, and he dipped her backward, kissing the daylights out of her, his erection grinding against her deliciously. She tangled her fingers in his hair, the strands wrapping around her fingers lovingly, and she couldn’t resist running her fingers along his crown of horns. His grip tightened, his kiss becoming more possessive. A deep growl vibrated in his chest, shooting pleasure between her legs in a way that made her shudder.
He straightened slowly, pulling back, and it took a second to catch her breath. He looked down at her, his smile very smug. “Welcome back.”
Annora grinned back. A glance showed the rest of the guys were awake too. Apparently, none of them had bothered to sleep while they waited for her return. Seeing them alive and well made her heart skip, and the starch went out of her spine.
The urgency must have just been the warning that the sun was about to rise.
Mason was slow to put her down, his hand lingering against her back, sending a shiver down her spine. Her feet barely touched the ground before Camden cupped her elbow. A deep calm radiated from his gentle hold, and she leaned into him.
