Page 52 of Heir of the Beast

His mouth on my neck almost makes me groan. I feel his fingers dip below my lace corset to cup my breast fully, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I find my senses.

I whip around to slap him. He barely flinches as he catches my wrist midair. Our gazes clash like the mighty Titians. His dark gaze is hard, and his jaw is flexed.

He looks slightly manic. Unstable. Unpredictable. He is breathing hard, and I can tell the beast inside him has awoken.

Apollo moves so fast the only thing I can do is yelp as he holds me forcefully to him.

I pray no one is witnessing this.

His mouth hisses into my ear, “I will give you a five-minute head start.”

I jerk my head up to his. “For what? Until you force yourself on me?” I spit back, feeling almost dizzy from my adrenaline.

He throws off his mask, and the look he gives me makes my knees buckle. He is still breathing hard as his gaze drifts over my yellow glory, and he licks his lips. I shiver, seeing the desire flair to life in his eyes.

“Unfortunately, not Angel. I will give you five minutes before I call the royal guard for your arrest.”

I gasp. “They w-will kill me.”

He tilts his head and holds up his five fingers and whispers. “Five.” His eyes seem too dark, and the grin that spreads over his lips makes me want to scream.

This is a side of Apollo I have never seen before.

Abort mission!

I back up and turn to run!

Chapter 13

I run blindly.

My heart is beating like an ancient war drum, echoing loudly in my ears.

I glance behind me just in time to see Apollo whistle loud in the air and hold up his powerful arm, his dark eyes focused on me. He looks ominous, his tall frame gaining everyone’s attention.

This is bad.

I think I scream and body-check a half-dozen people on my mad dash out of the ballroom. A waiter is carrying a tray of sparkling champagne that I manage to crash into, shattering glass everywhere.

I have tunnel vision as I hurry as best as I can in this elaborate gown. I hear gasps and yells as I run past people.

Apollo didn’t even give me five minutes.

I’m in shock.

I hate him with a passion.

Taking off down a long, dark hallway, I try to remember how to get out of this damn castle. There is a fork in the hallway, so I stop, out of breath, and desperately try to remember. ~Which way?!~

Cursing, I take a left and force myself into several different corridors and rooms. I hear the deep rumble of guards, heightening my panic.

I end in a large storage room and pause to gain my thoughts and wits. ~Focus,~ I need to operate on a higher level than I am right now.

“Viola!”

I tense, then turn around to see Mort materialize before me.

“Mort!” I scream, relief washing through me. “We are screwed—he knows!”

---