Page 26 of Seduce Me in Shadow

Her face softens. “Until he takes energy, he’ll be unable to stabilize.”

I pace, feeling so bloody helpless. “If I’m unable to locate Anka, is there any possible end, other than his death?”

“One day at a time. You’re trying. We all are. Don’t discount Lucan and his will to live. He’s strong. And it’s possible his mate mourning could end tomorrow. He could awaken perfectly fine.”

Or this condition could kill him.

I snort. “Magic would never be so kind.”

“Then give up on him.” She tosses her hands in the air. “But I won’t. Lucan is our friend. His death would crush my brother.”

Sabelle doesn’t wait for my reply before she approaches the bed and raises her hands to Lucan, lingering at one ankle, then the other. Then she makes her way to the top corners of thebed, murmurs a few words, and passes her fingers over each of Lucan’s hands.

Suddenly, the chains binding him loosen.

With a roar, Lucan thrashes about, testing his new limits. His eyes turn wild, feral. The whites are gone, his pupils mere dots in a sea of tumultuous blue.

“What are you doing?” I rush to tighten Lucan’s restraints again.

Sabelle stays me with a raised hand. “Serving him. Let me.”

I wish that didn’t mean what I fear. “Lucan could kill you. He nearly did the others because they weren’t Anka.”

“He smelled the other men on those surrogates. He assumed they were enemies come to kill him, so he attacked. I’m trying a new approach. I’m completely clean. I’ve washed with Anka’s soap and shampoo. I’ll try using my siren lure to persuade him that I’m her.”

“But allowing him so much slack in the chains… Isn’t that dangerous?”

“According to my Aunt Millie, when a wizard is feral, they need to dominate. In this state, Lucan will require any woman he beds to be beneath him. Besides, I hope that having some freedom will signal to him that he’s not under attack and enable him to take me. He’ll derive more energy if he does. It might even be enough to heal him.”

Yes, but… “You’re simply going to let him?—”

“My body is a small thing to give to keep a dear friend alive. If embracing another eases him past his mourning, why would I not help him?”

Her selflessness is a blow to the gut. She’s risking life and limb for my brother. I’m grateful. Yet I’m terrified for her.

“Does Bram know?”

“He would only be a hindrance.”

“What if Lucan attacks you?”

She smiles sadly. “That’s why you’re here.”

I bite back a scream. I want no part of this, but I can’t be a coward in the face of Sabelle’s noble courage. “How can I help?”

“Keep to the farthest corner of the room. If he smells you…”

Sabelle doesn’t have to elaborate. I’ve seen for myself how violent Lucan can be in this state.

“Of course.” I shut the door and lean against it, waiting and watching my brother. I pray I don’t have to use brute force to restrain him.

Then Sabelle shimmies off her robe. She isn’t wearing a stitch. My jaw drops.

The witch isn’t just a pretty face; she has curves stacked everywhere, long legs, a lush backside, a sleek torso with a flat belly. Her breasts are the stuff of wet dreams. Yet I have zero urge to touch her.

Because of the danger…or my inexplicable feelings for Sydney?

After kicking the robe away, Sabelle edges onto the bed and lies beside Lucan. Immediately, he lunges for her, his eyes wide and frenetic yet sightless. He sniffs at her, growls, then rolls her beneath him, flattening her against the mattress under his taut body.

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