Page 101 of Ransomed to the World
That’s when she saw their grim expressions, and she pulled away, not wanting to be distracted. “What happened?”
“Sadie came with a warning.” Edgar pushed away from the wall. “They’ve moved up the ceremony.”
Dread pooled in her gut. “Why?”
“We don’t know.” Xander crossed his arms and scowled. “I don’t like it. He’s planning something.”
“I agree.” Logan leaned against the table, his leg jiggling as he stared blankly at the floor. “I think it has something to do with us. He moved up the timetable because of us.”
“Maybe.” Camden rubbed his jaw, his brows furrowed. “But I suspect it’s something more. We assumed he was out searching for us all night, but what if that was just a ruse?”
Edgar’s head snapped up. “Now the council is aware of Annora, he’s making plans.”
“So you think the ceremony is a trap.” Mason glanced at her, concern shimmering in his lavender eyes. “Then we can’t let her go.”
“I think we need to let things play out.” Annora held up her hand when the others vehemently protested. “Here me out. We know it’s a trap. We can use it against him. We—”
“I don’t like it.” The words exploded out of Mason, like he couldn’t hold them inside anymore.
The room fell silent as the rest of the guys nodded.
Annora frowned at each of them. “Do we really have a choice here?”
“We could leave.” Logan stilled, his expression earnest, his lack of movement so unnatural, it made her twitch. “Right after the claiming ceremony, I mean. The threat to us will be neutralized, right?”
“You may be right.” Edgar ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Leaving would put us beyond his reach. If we stay, he’ll always be working an angle, trying to get Annora under his control.”
“And the best way to do that would be through us.” Xander looked furious.
“Great.” Mason sounded almost chipper. “Then let’s get off this fucking island.”
Logan snorted, folding his arms. “For once, I agree with the big guy. I’m ready to leave. I thought my family was fucked up, but this place is a little too Stepford for me.”
Xander snickered, and the tension in the room broke. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her from behind, leaning down to nibble on her neck in a way that made all thoughts disappear.
His erection brushed against her, and she squirmed, her body warmed from his attention.
Gods, she’d missed them.
She wasn’t sure how she survived so long without them in her life.
“I hate to break up your reunion,” Edgar said as he walked across the room and picked up a black garment bag. “But you need to start getting ready.”
“Already?” She frowned at the clock.
Edgar gave her an indulgent smile. “Shower, makeup, hair, and dress…it will take you longer than you might expect.”
Annora wanted to duck under Xander’s arms and crawl behind him.
Xander huffed out a laugh, tightened his grip, then groaned and nuzzled her neck before releasing her, gently pushing her toward Edgar. “Go—before I change my mind.”
A thrill shot through her, and it was a struggle to put one foot in front of the other when it felt like she was heading toward the gallows. She was not looking forward to the next few hours.
Edgar chuckled softly and opened the bathroom door for her.
Annora whirled and dashed toward Logan, holding out her hand and wiggling her fingers. “Give me all your change.”
He gave her a bemused look and dug into his pockets, dropping two coins into her hand. She pursed her lips and looked down at her palm, then nodded. “Thank you.”
