Page 34 of Seduce Me in Shadow

All right, then. Shock will show his true colors soon enough.

A few moments later, we enter the foyer, the click of Shock’s boots surprisingly quiet for someone who nearly qualifies as a giant. I size him up, hate poisoning my blood. The bastard must know something about Anka’s whereabouts. He’s likely hoping Lucan will die and leave behind a grieving widow who needs someone to cling to.

“What the fuck are you staring at?” Shock challenges me.

“Trash.”

The big wizard sets his jaw, mouth tight. “I haven’t come to fight with you.”

In a way, I wish he would. If it weren’t for the magic thing, I could take Shock and teach him a lesson or two, despite the fact he’s big and mean. I have fast reflexes, good training, and fury on my side.

He scoffs. “You can’t beat me. Even without magic, I could crush you. Learn to mask your thoughts, whelp.”

That’s it; I’ve had enough.

A part of me wants to avenge my brother. I’ve done precious little else for Lucan. And what if he dies before I can make amends? But the other part of me? Just really hates his leather-clad swagger.

I lunge for Shock. Bram sticks out an arm, blocking me, and using some sort of magic, he sidelines me against the wall.

“We’re not doing this now.” Then he turns to Shock. “Say what you came to.”

“I want everyone to hear. Ice, Marrok, Duke, Lucan.”

“Ice and Marrok are here. I’ll call for Duke.” Bram pauses. “I’ll play along that you know nothing about Lucan and Anka.”

“Anka?” Instantly, Shock’s face loses its challenging sneer. “What about her?”

Chapter

Sixteen

“Your boss ripped her from my brother,” I spit at Shock, my frustration from the past few weeks boiling up. “He forced her to break their bond before he raped her repeatedly. Now, she’s missing.”

Shock freezes. Violence fills the air as his mouth thins into a menacing line. “What did you say?”

“He’s describing Terriforz,” Bram supplies. “Do you understand? Mathias separated Anka from Lucan, overtook her mind, and forced her body to crave what she mentally rejected. Olivia saw her before Mathias poofed her away. Now, we can’t find her anywhere. And you’re saying you know nothing about this?”

Shock clenches his jaw and drags in a furious, rumbling breath. I have the distinct impression he’s collecting himself.

When he looks back at us, his face is tight with rage. Even with the sunglasses, I see his anger—and absolute bloodlust.

He whirls on Bram. “How the fuck did I not hear about this?”

“That’s our question for you. After all, you and Mathias are chummy these days.”

“He’s the most feared wizard of all time because he’s more ruthless and devious than anyone. He’s suspicious, and he’s a master of secrets. We’re not chummy, for fuck’s sake. I’m over here playing bloody mind games with him because the lot of you are too busy playing with your…swords.” He gives us a disdainful snort. “Get this through your thick skull: I. Knew. Nothing. Don’tyouhave any leads on Anka’s whereabouts? Can’t Lucan use what’s left of their mate bond to find her?”

“Lucan is mad with mate mourning. The worst case I’ve ever seen,” Bram says quietly.

The starch leaves Shock, as if he feels the gravity of the situation, too. “So you can’t say if Anka is even alive?”

I’ve avoided thinking that she might have passed to her nextlife. But deep down, in a sick region of my stomach, I worry. She was alive a few days after Mathias abducted her. Since then…the ruthless bastard may have decided she’s of no further use and killed her. She would hardly be the first.

Bram shakes his head. “We don’t.”

Shock curses an ugly blue streak. “What’s been done to recover her?”

Not a word about Lucan’s state or what he’s endured. Fucking prick. “I’m looking. She belongs to my brother, and I will?—”

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