Page 11 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Oh yeah? Go fuck yourself.”

My knees bent, hitting the floor. I growled and glared at Isaiah. “How the fuck are you doing that? Mind control?”

“Nope.” Isaiah smiled.

Kaden knelt near me as I clenched my fists at my side, fighting Isaiah’s control. “You might actually like this request, though. I need you to find Dianna.”

My head reared back. “What?”

“That’s right. We both know you were Samkiel’s favorite tracker, and now your power is magnified. I bet you’d find her quicker than an entire legion.”

I thinned my lips, trying not to laugh as realization hit me, but it didn’t work. It started as a snort before I chuckled, then morphed into full-on laughter.

“You want me to be your little bitch? Fuck you. You turned me, left me to deal with the insatiable hunger, and above all, you let your bitch sister take Xavi.”

Isaiah growled and stepped closer.

Kaden raised his hand. “Stop your whining. You’ve been fed, and Xavi is not yours to keep. If you wished that, maybe you should have acted sooner.”

“Xavi?” Isaiah asked, glancing at Kaden.

Kaden waved his hand as if he meant nothing. “The dual blade wielder. Nismera shaved his head and sold him.”

My heart lurched, remembering how they had to drag me out of the room when I learned what she was going to do. How Kaden chained me up for a week because the Ig’Morruthen beneath my skin rebelled so hard I killed two guards. Nismera had me beaten as if that were a worse punishment. No, the worst punishment was that I didn’t even get to say goodbye. By the time I had healed and regained consciousness, Xavier was gone, and no one would tell me where.

“Oh.” Isaiah snorted. “I know four men that look just like him. We’ll get him a replacement.”

Kaden made a mocking face. “You can’t. The little hunter is in love.”

Isaiah’s smile dropped, then his head tilted as he looked at me.

“Actually, I changed my mind,” I said, still bound to the ground. “Both of you can go fuck yourselves.”

“I’m not asking.” Kaden’s hand whipped out, grabbing me by the back of my neck. “You’re helping me find Dianna, little hunter. It isn’t a debate or question.”

“So let me get this right. You killed her sister, gutted her mate to actual death, and now you want to find her – to what? Make her love you again?” It was my turn to grin. “And you make quips about who I love.”

Isaiah sighed. “I told you it was a stupid idea.”

“Shut up,” Kaden snapped at him, and Isaiah only rolled his eyes.

“You are actually fucking insane, Kaden.” I shook my head. “I didn’t believe it, but you really think that finding her will help you? You know she hates you just like everyone else?”

Isaiah glared at me, his eyes flaring with power. My back bent, and I gritted my teeth in pain, feeling my blood boil and my body shudder. Isaiah finally released his hold on me, and I fell forward, my palms pressed to the floor as I struggled to catch my breath. They both stood as I stayed half-crouched, panting.

“I’m not asking for your opinion.”

“What are you going to do? Call your sister on me? You know, the one who locked you up for a week. How was that, by the way? I have to admit, that was the first time I’d felt joy in weeks when I heard what happened to you and those monsters you made. I guess it explains why you’re such a prick. Your own sister doesn’t care about you.”

His fist shot out, the punch landing against the side of my face. I fell to the floor, blood dripping from my cheek.

I licked my split lip and struggled to my feet, small tingles reaching my toes as I regained every ounce of movement back from Isaiah’s hold. “No, I’m not helping you. We both know you’re asking for death. After what you’ve done, what I . . .” I paused, my jaw clenching as it ached, the muscle layer beneath healing. “We’re all fucking dead, and you’re a fool to think otherwise.”

I expected him to hit me again, maybe a kick while I was down, but his eyes only bore into mine. “Do you want to find Xavier or not?”

My eyes narrowed on him, and he smiled, knowing he had me practically by the balls. I’d prefer to be kicked.

“That’s right.” He added. “You find her, and I’ll tell you where he is. You say no, and I can make sure you never find the outpost where she shipped Xavier. I know you’ve been looking, asking too many questions.”

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