Page 29 of Hell's Storm

I slap his hand away. I even hurt the men that I love. I left Khazon and Ozias, I snap at Ryker and Hazen. Now Thorne. I wanted them all, but the thought of one day having to choose hurts me. “You don’t touch sneaky links like that.”

“You know you mean more thanthat... to me. Explain sneaky link again.”

“No, I don’t.” I shake my head, pushing away and standing. Thorne doesn’t stop me from getting dressed, but I stand there, waiting for him. “Send me back.”

“Will you call to the shadows whenever you need me?” Thorne’s hands touch my shoulder, and I almost jump. I didn’t know he was that close to me.

I scoff. “Won’t need to. You’re a stalker.”

His hand moves down my body. “I really did miss you, Asura.”

My teeth grit as I try not to remember the hurt, he put me through. “I’m ready to leave.” Although I’m acting cold, all my feelings for him are still there. He knows it, or we wouldn’t have slept together. I want to jump his bones every time I see him, but I shouldn’t.

“Goodbye, my queen.” His voice becomes a whisper, and I open my eyes to find I’m still in the fae prison. Whatever powers Thorne has, isn’t like a dream. It is more like he moves with the shadows and can move others with it.

After a few hours alone, the prison doors open again, and footsteps are coming my way. Ryker stops at my cell. Guards follow behind him, with Ledger mixed in with them. Not really blending in, though, since he’s gigantic compared to the others.

“Are you ready to come out?” Ryker asks.

I give a nod, standing.One of the guards begins to fumble with the keys.

“Your powers should have returned to you by now. You could have busted out with your strength,” Ryker mutters.The door falls back into the cell as soon as the guard puts the key in the hold.

“I did,” I say with a shrug, stepping over the fallen door. “Just didn’t know where to go.”

A smirk curls on Ryker’s lips. “Follow me, Queen.”

I fall in line with Ledger as we both follow Ryker, surrounded by guards. I almost forgot we were in someone’s home. The guards and the dungeon don’t make it feel like someone’s house. I think that’s why my father kept the dungeon hidden, and the guards were only outside the home.

Ryker stops in front of a double door. “Take a bath, relax, and come down for breakfast. I have people who would love to meet you.”

“Breakfast?” I look down. “How long was I down there?”

“The day. Next time, it’ll be longer,” he says, moving away. My body reacts to his threat as my eyes move over his tactical gear. He’s dressed as a Soul Reaper, not a king. I had more I wanted to say to him, but it could wait.

Ledger groans. “Come on. I’m set to babysit you.”

Nodding, I follow Ledger into the massive room I woke up in before. The guards close the door behind me, making me glance back. Ledger ignores my paranoia and moves through another door. When I heard the water running, I could tell he had started running a bath for me.

I see myself in the mirror, my clammy body covered in dirt and grime. My silver curls are a mess, probably knotted in the back.

“You smell different.” Ledger’s voice makes me jump and look up at him.

I cock a brow. “Are you telling me I stink?”

“No, you just smell like… someone else.”

Letting out a sigh, I don’t want to lie, but I don’t know how to tell him in a way he will believe me. “I… fucked a vampire.”

He blinks. “Who?”

“His name is Thorne.”

Slowly, he nods. “Okay… You do know you were in there alone, right?”

“Duh.Thorne has magic that can transport you to places. He took me tohisplace.”

He pats my head. “Okay, princess. Let’s get you naked and cleaned up.” Shrugging, I strip before him, dropping my clothes on the ground. I enter the bathroom and see the various plants and candles everywhere. A gasp leaves my lips. “Ryker’s and Hazen’s idea. Not mine or Jigsaws… or Thorne’s.” Ledger’s hands run over my back, thumbs hitting sore spots.

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