Page 30 of Lethal Souls

“Over here, Monarch Harlow.”

That voice. It sends ice down my spine. I pause on the middle of the staircase just as someone steps around the corner in a silver cloak.

Arie.

At the bottom of the staircase, Cerberus growls at him, baring all his teeth.

“Cerberus, go,” I command.

My wolf continues growling but slowly retreats, ducking out the front door.

I take the stairs slowly while Arie slinks away and disappears into my office. I’m ready to kill him and anyone else willing to fuck with me in my home, but as soon as I step into my office my heart drops.

The entire Council is here—Callista, Arie, and Vassilis. So is Willow, only she’s not standing by herself. Vassilis is right behind her, one arm strapped around her chest and the other hand holding a double-edged knife. The sight of that blade pressed to my mate’s throat sends a bolt of fury through me.

To make matters worse, Silvera is lying on her side in a corner, hardly breathing. She likely tried to attack and they hurt her. Fucking bastards.

“You have one second to let her go,” I growl, pressing my thumb down on the hammer of my gun. I aim for Vassilis’s head as my anger broils.

“Lower your weapon, Caspian,” Callista demands. She’s sitting in my chair, her fiery silver eyes focused on me.

I work my jaw, looking from Vassilis to Willow, whose eyes are full of terror. They ripped her out of bed in only her gown. Fucking monsters. I’ll kill them all.

“You have one second to lower the gun or we’ll kill her.”

I work to swallow before cursing under my breath and lowering it.

“Drop it,” Callista insists.

I toss the gun and step deeper into the room. Vassilis lets out a throaty, wicked chuckle. I glare at him as he presses the knife deeper into Willow’s throat, drawing blood. I feel the slice on my own throat as Willow whimpers.

“Just let her go.” I shift my gaze to Callista. “She has nothing to do with this.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, Monarch Harlow. If not for her, we wouldn’t be able to get you to corroborate with us.” She puts on a wolfish smile.

“Just tell me what you want.”

“You know exactly what we want.” Arie sighs like he’s bored. I glance at him as he peruses the books on the shelves.

“You have the ship. It’s at your local port, but if you’d like us to bring it closer to the manor, we can,” Callista says. “You’ll take it and ride to Inferno Isle to awake Selah. No exceptions or excuses this time.”

“If I do that, The Regals will have my head,” I grumble.

“Sure, they may have your head, but would you rather they have yours or for us to have hers?” Callista gestures to Willow. I have every urge to run across the room, rip Vassilis’s head off, and then stab the other two in the heart.

But I can’t. One wrong move and he’ll likely snap her neck. The blade to her throat is just a visual warning.

“The Regals plan on doing nothing about our creator. They’ll go on living while Selah rots in a tomb. I mean, what kind of sisters are they, really? I figured while you are also doing nothing, you can take the voyage to wake her.”

“You know I can’t just go, Callista. The Regals could easily stop me.”

“That may be so, but you always have little tricks up your sleeves. Oftentimes, you’re a step or two ahead of everyone else. Even us.” She peers around the room. “With the exception of this moment.”

“Please,” I plead, stepping closer to the desk. “I don’t ever beg, but if you let her go, I’ll go to the island. You have my word.”

Callista’s mouth twitches as Vassilis laughs again. She starts to say something, but immediately freezes and snaps her gaze to Arie.

“Arie!” she yells.

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