Page 17 of Feral Possession

“Zion?” She frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would some crazy cult leader attack Vivian?”

“Gilbert believed Zion was searching for some artifact rumored to be in Vivian’s possession. He thinks it’s the same item the mage is after. If he’s right, your former benefactor has a bigger target on her back than she realized.”

Dove’s rosy cheeks paled. “That means I’ll be stuck here even longer than expected.”

Marcus gritted his teeth. Women used to throw themselves at him, and yet this one was more than eager to be free of him. Oh, how far he’d fallen that he couldn’t even beg for scraps from a faerie.

“While most of the mansion is intact, your belongings were smoke damaged. Gilbert wanted you to know that he cannot send them to you.”

She winced. “I should return home to make sure Gilbert is okay.”

His Chosen planned to leave? Dark urges stirred at his core. “No,” he commanded, growling his denial.

“But Gilbert—”

“Doesn’t need you.”

“But I should—”

“Your place is here now. With me.” Shadows laced his words, his voice grating. Dove shivered in response, rubbing the back of her neck. At last, she seemed to pick up on the danger he represented.

Marcus forced his muscles to relax, pushing the darkness down. He cleared his throat, forcing an even tone. “Have you forgotten our agreement?”

She stiffened. “No, of course not. But given the situation, surely you could make an exception.”

“If you’d bothered to read the contract you signed, you’d know I agreed to make your safety a priority. Now that Vivian is under attack on two fronts, you’re in even more danger. Should her enemies get their hands on you, they will use you to harm her. You’re a vulnerability, not an asset.”

She clenched her fist, crinkling handfuls of her skirt. “You seriously think they would use me to get to her? That’s diabolical.”

He snorted. “It’s what I would do.”

Dove stared at him, mouth gaping. At a loss for words? It was likely a first.

He’d savor the moment if he didn’t have bigger, more important issues to deal with. “I’m meeting with my House officers this afternoon.” Along with his underhanded second. “While I’m gone, I’ll arrange for you to go shopping to replace what you’ve lost.” At the offer, his lips curled with satisfaction. No doubt the chit would be overwhelmed by his generosity. It was past time she understood the benefits of being Marcus Steeles’s Chosen.

In response, she folded her arms over her chest, huffing a stray curl off her forehead. “Simple as that, huh? You expect me to just pop into a store to purchase everything I’ve lost.”

He frowned. “This displeases you.”

“Some things are not so easy to replace.”

That she dared to scorn his generosity roused his ire, causing him to strike back in return. “Anything can be purchased for the right price.”

“I disagree,” she dared to snap.

“And yet, here you are,” he countered, finding he relished her reaction.

“Excuse me?” She scowled, giving him her full attention.

He rested his forearms on his desk, a sardonic curl tugging his lips. “When last I saw Vivian, she swore she wouldn’t part with you for any price.” She’d said as much at his casino opening, when he’d teased her about purchasing the artist who’d created the paintings that were on display.

Dove lifted her chin. “I may not have read the contract line by line, but I know for a fact, not one cent was exchanged in this arrangement. I’m not some possession to be bought and sold.”

“Money isn’t the only currency,” he said, enjoying the way her eyes blazed before narrowing.

“You’re right. There are many things that have value beyond money. In this, I am quite wealthy.”

“You?” He coughed a laugh, strangely energized by their banter. “Do tell me, where is this great fortune that you speak of?” Vivian had provided for the girl’s every need. He doubted she had a penny to her name.

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