Page 114 of Stroke of Shadows

Lorraine paused what she was doing, the chalice moving away. “Bind her,” she said to the men, and even more ropes were added. Within seconds, she couldn’t move an inch, her head pinned to the side and her body immobile. Harper concentrated on breathing, the position making it hard.

“I thought you were a woman of faith?” she hissed, but it came out more of a puff of air.

Lorraine knelt, her eyes framed with black lines and smoky shadow. “You still don’t believe in those Gods, do you?” Her fingers lingered when she tucked Harper’s hair behind her ear. “Stupid bitch, believing everything she’s told.”

“But you’ve led the church for years?”

Lorraine pressed the side of the blade to Harper’s cheek. She didn’t look away as she addressed the men. “She’s bound, so go see if Wyatt’s ready for us.”

The men looked between each other, and Lorraine sneered when they didn’t immediately respond.

“I said go. Now.”

They left, but their defiance left her frustrated. “Stupid fucking idiots, can’t do anything without a direct order from their master.”

She’s not in control here. That gave Harper the tiniest sliver of hope.

“So you’ve been lying this whole time?” Harper needed to keep her talking.

“For the Light,” Lorraine said in a mocking tone. “It was Wyatt’s idea, really. What better way to gain your uncle’s trust than be his personal voice to the Gods?”

“You’ve deceived us this whole time. But why?”

“Why else? Love.” She turned the knife, nicking at Harper’s skin. “Something you’ll never experience.”

Harper grit her teeth, remembering Sythe’s warm caramel eyes and his infectious smile. She didn’t want to believe in such a short amount of time she could fall for him, but there she was. He was her first in so many ways. He made her feel like she mattered, and now she’d never be able to thank him.

Another cut, just along her shoulder blade.

Her body shook, something she couldn’t seem to control. The room spun, and she swore there was something crouching between two boxes, but she was sure her eyes were tricking her. Well, her one good eye. The other had finally swollen closed and was pressed painfully against whatever surface she was bound to.

Lorraine stepped back, the edge of the blade red. “Wyatt and I can’t marry while your uncle’s head of the family, but that’s all about to—”

A thump, slightly muffled, like a wet cloth being thrown against a wall. It took a second for Lorraine to respond, a single drop of blood dripping from her hairline. Her face twisted, lips opening in a silent cry. Her knees hitting the floor made more of an impact, followed by the clatter of the blade and chalice as they hit the hard concrete.

Harper blinked once more, trying to see past the blurriness.

“Harper?” Soft palms cradled her face. “Shit!”

The ropes slacked, her body slowly slipping to the floor.

Harper’s wrists were released, and her eyes finally were able to focus. “Thea?”

“The one and only.” The faerie winked, but there was panic there. “Come on, we need to get out of here before that crazy bitch wakes up.”

“What… what are you doing here?”

She must be hallucinating. That was the only explanation.

Thea’s pointed ears glowed pink. “You turned the bead,” she said as if that was explanation enough. She looked around the room, frowning at the buzzing light high above. “What have you gotten yourself into?”

“You need to leave before you’re caught. Please, you need to go!”

Thea held up her hands. “Look, this is a little embarrassing. But I can’t drift more than myself, okay?”

Harper frowned at the strange band. “Then you can leave.”

“So you can be tortured by the crazy lady? I don’t fucking think so.”

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