Page 99 of Ransomed to the World
Valen reeled back, holding out his hands, palms out. “Livia is at best a little unstable. She’s been driven by rage ever since Daxion had her murdered, and she’s used that wrath to quickly become a general here. She can’t be trusted.”
“Valen…you flatter me.” A woman appeared behind him, resting one of her hands on his shoulder, and he blanched. Then her imperial gaze came to rest on Annora, her interest sharpening. “An alliance…go on. I’m listening.”
Darkness clung to her like a second skin, but instead of binding to it like Annora, she held it chained to her by her will alone. It was hungry, barely leashed. The woman was a true grim reaper, the kind that haunted the humans’ nightmares.
The danger Annora sensed when they entered the tavern emanated from this reaper.
It wasn’t necessarily evil, but it was potent and deadly.
Livia didn’t wait to be invited, simply grabbing a chair from another table and pulling it up to theirs. The rest of the tavern was now watching them in wary silence.
The woman was nothing short of stunning. Her hair was straight and long, hanging past her shoulders like a black curtain. Her skin was porcelain, her features delicate, but the cunning in her eyes belied her fragile appearance.
She was a lion in sheep’s clothing, and she craved blood.
Annora didn’t glance at Valen, sensing she’d lose the woman’s respect if she deferred to him. And she immediately ruled out lying. This woman would skin her alive if she tried it. “Daxion wants me to kill you to sever the connection between you. He wants your abilities.”
Livia threw back her head and laughed, the sultry sound completely unrestrained. Amusement danced in her eyes as she gazed at her, no doubt just seeing a little girl. “He’s told you nothing about our marriage.”
Annora didn’t like the change of subject but answered honestly. “Absolutely nothing.”
“I was born into a powerful bloodline and easily rose to the top of my class. Much like other phantom girls in the same position, I was sold for breeding. Our houses were the last to create a bridge, and Daxion thought together, he and I could create another.” Livia gave her a bitter smile. “Unfortunately, I never conceived.”
“Then he met my mother,” Annora muttered, the missing pieces falling into place.
“And a new plan was hatched,” Livia said with a rueful grin. “I was useless to him as a phantom, a drain on his power. Getting rid of me was like killing two birds with one stone. As a reaper, I was everything he ever wanted. Only it backfired when the wards between worlds failed to let him take my powers. The only way he can access my powers is by coming here and taking it himself.”
Annora grimaced. “And so he sent me to do his dirty work.”
Livia looked her up and down appraisingly, completely confident that she would come out on top. “I’m stronger now. Faster. If it came to a fight, he wouldn’t win. You think you can take me?”
“Yes.” Annora didn’t laugh, didn’t flinch, and didn’t hesitate. She didn’t have a choice. She’d do whatever it took to protect her mates…even if it killed her. “But I think we can come to an understanding instead. Daxion wants to screw us both, and he needs to be stopped. I think you’re one of the few who are capable of dealing with him.”
Humor drained from her expression, and she pursed her lips, studying Annora with a calculating look. “Not you?”
“Honestly?” Annora pushed Prem down when the critter tried to peek over the table and hiss. “I really don’t give a shit about Daxion or his power. If he died, he’d just return as a reaper and cause more trouble. To really stop him, we need to cut off his power base. The rebellion has a chance, but they’re not guaranteed to win the war…” She cocked her head to the side. “However, an alliance with the reapers who can keep the phantoms in check could succeed. The balance needs to be restored before both the phantoms and reapers become extinct.”
Valen relaxed, giving her a nod of approval, no longer looking like he was ready to leap over the table and yank her out of there.
He honestly expected them to come to blows…or worse.
Livia gave a contemplative hum, her eyes unfocused as she sprawled back in her seat. “Daxion had such high hopes when you were conceived. He wanted to mold and groom you into his perfect weapon.” She picked up her mug, took a sip, then set it back down. A twinkle of mirth danced in her dark eyes when she leaned forward and rested her forearms on the table. “You were going to be his golden ticket. It tickles me that you’ve ended up being such a thorn in his paw. He won’t be able to brainwash you like he has the others.”
Feeling very much like a mouse being batted around by a cat, Annora narrowed her eyes. “Cut the drama. You both need to finish the shit you started and leave me out of it. Better yet, leave me out of your marriage of inconvenience altogether.”
Livia lifted an imperious brow, but the corners of her lips twitched. “What do you have planned, little one?”
Annora pulled the coin her mother created out from under her collar and held it out. “What if I could make that temporary bridge my father so desires and give it to you instead? A dozen or so medallions, capable of transporting reapers into the human realm for a limited amount of time?”
Annora rose, then planted her hands on the table and leaned forward until the coin dangled between them. “Would you and the others be able to keep the phantoms in check? I want to reset things back to the way they belong, where we go back to helping the paranormal community survive.”
Any amusement in Livia’s eyes vanished, her gaze locked on the coin, both yearning and determination hardening her features. Then her gaze flicked up to meet Annora’s stare. “That will only happen if the council agrees to it, and none of those pansy-asses will come within reaching distance of a reaper. They treat us like lepers.”
“Let me worry about that.” Come hell or high water, Annora would tie the assholes to a chair if that’s what it took to make them listen.
Livia’s smile sharpened, and she leaned forward again, her crossed arms resting on the table. “What do you need from me?”
“Just wait for my signal…and be ready.”
