Page 54 of Lich's Mate

Vork desperately slices into his flesh, hoping to affect the shadowy claw but only manages to hurt himself. His blood runs down his chest and over his hands, dark and disgusting in the pale moonlight.

Rorth gasps for air and slams his back against the wall of the auction house in an attempt to free himself.

The other guard is on the ground, writhing as he does his best to fight against an impossible foe.

Kavian walks over to me, not even taking notice of the dying xaphan behind him.

His eyes are fixed on mine. I feel my stomach tighten and my heart race once more. This time, I welcome the unsteady beat making my blood rush.

I barely register the snaps before Vork and Rorth’s bodies limply fall to the ground. The remaining one goes quiet but I don’t even care.

I’m lost in Kavian’s eyes as he stands before me, fearsome and more attractive than ever before.

He reaches out and caresses my cheek.

“We must hurry and free the slaves. And when we get home, I want to celebrate by devouring you slowly and deliberately.”

I shiver with expectation. “I can’t wait.”

He spins around and pulls me by my hand. We rush past the dead bodies and hurry into the auction house.

I look down at the guards who ruined my life.

Lousy fuckers. Your paltry wings were useless in the end.

It doesn’t take long to find the cells of the slaves—the building is hardly an architectural marvel.

The hallway is dimly lit by torches at either side with rows of cells spanning the entire area.

I start with the cells to my right, using my lockpicking tool to swiftly unlock the doors. I hurry over to the women huddled in the corner and start unlocking the chains keeping them bound to the cell. My lockpick makes quick work of the flimsy locks.

A cold, nauseating shiver runs down my spine.

Not too long ago, this was me. I was trapped with no hope of escape. I can still remember the smell of this horrible room and the feel of the cold floor sometimes haunts my dreams. Thank fuck for Kavian and his personal vendetta against Gorran.

Once they’re all released, I hold out my hand.

“Come. We’re here to free you.”

They look at each other and then look at Kavian, who is standing behind me.

I glance back and almost snort.

He’s doing his best not to look intimidating, his arms going from folded to hanging limply by his side. He’s not smiling but it’s clear he’s trying to appear friendly.

I look back at the women. “Kavian’s an ally. He helped me get my freedom and now we’re helping you.”

They still seem unsure and fear is practically oozing from them.

Shit. How do I convince them to trust a demon of all things?

Kavian sighs. “Look, you can come with us and possibly get away, or stay here and be sold to a demon, or worse, and spend the rest of your life in misery.”

Though the words are spoken softly, the women flinch. Then they stand a little taller and walk out of the cell.

I guide them to the front of the auction house, near the entrance. “Wait right here. I need to free the others.”

Fear washes over their faces and I give them a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll be quick.”

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