Page 73 of Marked By Night

“It’s never too late, Angel. And if you’ll forgive me, I’ll make sure she never steps foot on this land again.”

I feel, rather than see, Ash, Kaos, and Goldie backing away to give us space. Still, I don’t relent easily.

“With Kaos, it was different. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but now I do and you hurt me, Dante.”

“Let me make this right. Please,” he pleads.

“What if you regret it?” I ask softly. “What if Savannah is the right fit for you as a Circle?”

He cuts me off before I can say anything else. “That’s not possible, Angel,” he murmurs, “I want this. I wantyou.I barely know you and yet I know you’re so Godsdamned strong. You’d move mountains for the people you love, and I want to be one of those people one day. I want to be worthy ofyou.”

My heart swells as a lone tear slides down my cheek. Dante reaches up, brushing the watery liquid off my cheek before he brings it to his lips, kissing it away. His words and actions touch some dark corner of my soul that I’d thought I’d locked up tight.

Our palms connect and a blast of heat surges from our bodies. Orangish blue flames surround us, flaring into the sky. After a few moments, it dies down, and our muscles tense, locking us in place. At least now I know it’s the bond forming. Or that’s what I suspect anyway.

Power like I’ve never known before starts rushing into my body, threatening to scald me where I’m standing. If I could move my mouth, I’d probably scream. It’s the most excruciating thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life and the edges of my vision start to turn black.

Everything hurts.

Before the darkness drags me under, I glance over to find Kaos holding Savannah back by the neck, a vicious snarl on his face. She knows what’s happening and she looks devastated. An angry guttural scream breaks free from her throat and it’s the last thing I hear before I blackout.

* * *

Consciousness slowly returnsto me in the form of a headache. I groan.Why are the sheets so warm and how did I get in bed?I wiggle, trying to escape the bands wrapped around my middle, then freeze when those bands move, pressing into me tighter. Then something even harder brushes up against my ass.

My eyes snap open and I jerk upright, wincing from the searing pain in my head as I turn to face him. He’s already awake and smiles at me, tucking me into his chest. His smokey scent wraps around me, making me feel safe. Even if I’m still fucking mad at him.

“What the hell happened and why are you in my bed?” I ask.

“We bonded,” he says, placing his hand over his heart then tugs on the silvery thread connecting us as mates. He choseme.Over Savannah the Shark. Fuck yeah.

“You’re still in the fucking dog house,” I say.

He frowns, rubbing his fingers through my hair. “I know. I’d expect nothing less, Angel.”

“Why did I pass out?”

“To be frank, we’re not entirely certain. Our best guess is that the power will continue to intensify with each mate because you’re channeling all of our powers through your center at one time.”

At least there’s only one more mate and I’m not sure if that will ever happen, or if I even want it to at this point. Elian needs to do some massive groveling. I won’t be satisfied until he’s on his knees begging for forgiveness, and something tells me Elian is not that kind of man.

“By the way, what did you mean by orders?”

He groans, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I’d hoped you had forgotten that.”

“Not a chance.”

“I figured as much. As soon as the Elders received word about your presence, they forbid anyone else from bonding with you until we go before them and settle the dispute with Savannah. She thinks she can override your claim.”

Surely he’s not serious.

“You’re joking, right? I thought your people considered true Links to be sacred and all that shit?”

“We do. As in our Circle, but over the years with the Elders being in power they’ve twisted the narrative, and power matches are all they care about.”

Wonderful. The deeper I get into this society, the more I hate it.

“Hey, Angel,” Dante says, garnering my attention. The intensity in his gaze sets me on edge and it’s strange to see him look so serious. He’s always cloaked in lazy amusement and smirks.

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