Page 107 of Ransomed to the World
He cast her a measured look, then finally gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, and she sighed in relief. Instead of disappearing into the crowd, he remained at her side to guard her…or keep her prisoner…she wasn’t sure which.
Annora watched the crowd more closely. She caught Cedwyn doing the same and noticed the moment he spotted Sadie. He stiffened, standing up straighter, his eyes narrowing in warning. They seemed to have a silent conversation. Sadie scowled, her chin lifting in challenge, and Annora smiled at the heat between them. “Soooooo, you and Sadie, huh?”
He whirled so fast, she expected him to get whiplash. His mouth went slack, and he sputtered, “You…I…we….”
“Are perfect for each other,” she finished for him, putting him out of his misery.
He gave her a chagrined look, red tinging his cheeks. “You think? She’s so stubborn.”
She looked past Cedwyn, her gaze landing on Sadie again. “Oh yeah, only people she cares about can drive her that crazy.”
Cedwyn gave her a big grin.
Rancorous laughter came from a group nearby, none of them even pretending they weren’t talking about Annora and Cedwyn.
Cedwyn’s expression turned serious, and he watched Daxion across the room like a poisonous snake waiting to strike. “He’s not going to accept becoming a laughingstock without some kind of retaliation. Be careful. Bets are being placed on how long you’ll last before you’re either challenged for your place in the house or Daxion outright kills you.”
As she gazed at Daxion, she saw the fury kindling in his dark eyes.
Shit.
Cedwyn was correct.
Daxion was going to make her pay for this humiliation and soon.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” A boy around her age approached with a smarmy smile. His dark hair was slicked back, but instead of looking suave, it gave him a creepy, greasy look. “I’m Karl Conway.”
He tugged on the cuffs of his sleeves, then preened a bit, as if waiting for recognition.
Only she didn’t give a fuck. The man was repellent, malevolence oozing from him, poised and waiting to snare the unwary and consume them. His skin was as oily as he was, his lips thick, the combination giving him a brutish appearance.
When no praise followed, a snarl twisted his lips, and he glared at Cedwyn and snapped, “Introduce us, cousin.”
Cedwyn stiffened at her side, but did as bid. “Annora Daxion, may I introduce you to Karl Conway of the Conway House. They specialize in illusions.”
Karl gave her a sharp bow, then stuck his snooty nose in the air. “Get lost, Dairi.”
Cedwyn looked conflicted, and she gave him a nod, suspecting that if Cedwyn stayed, this asshat would punish them both for the slight.
“How are you finding our society?”
His slight nasal voice grated on her nerves, and Annora scanned the crowd, looking for an escape. She smiled brightly at him and ignored her half-filled glass. “Why don’t I get us some drinks?”
She didn’t wait for his response before making her escape.
Unfortunately, she didn’t take more than a few steps when his hand landed on her elbow. His fingers dug viciously into her flesh, only stopping when she winced. She gritted her teeth against the need to retaliate and gave him her best confused look, batting her lashes at him.
He appeared confused at first, releasing her to run a hand down his crisply pressed jacket. “You should remain here. Daxion will be making an announcement soon.”
“Oh, then I should be at his side.” When she tried to move away once more, his hand lashed out, grabbing her wrist in a brutal grip and refusing to release her. By tomorrow morning, her arm would be covered with a motley of bruises that was going to put Mason in a rage if she didn’t have a chance to use her gifts to heal before he saw them.
Rage darkened Karl’s eyes, his lips flattening, and he leaned forward to snarl at her, “You don’t get to walk away from me and disrespect me in front of everyone. When we’re married, I’m going to enjoy showing you your place.”
When her jaw dropped, his expression turned smug. He took a sip of his drink and smiled at people passing them.
After she got over her shock, Annora couldn’t help it and laughed in the asshole’s face. “Sorry, but I’m too much woman for a man like you. You literally wouldn’t know what to do with me.”
Wrath darkened his face, a vein throbbed alarmingly on his forehead, and she started to worry that it would pop. Sadie and Cedwyn also looked alarmed, ready to charge to her rescue, but she waved them away. For the first time since she’d joined the party, she was actually enjoying herself.
