Page 43 of Pack Captive

And maybe an even smaller part that felt inexplicably drawn to Merikh, and wanted to make physical contact just once.

I was secure that my faith in the Moon was strong. Touching him wouldn't shake that faith.

The lunar power residing in me flickered as I drew on it, intending to shove it into him, to see if I could make those bloody runes flash blue.

If they did, maybe there was a sliver of hope for him.

I took a step forward, extending my arm just enough to press my fingertip against his.

Something that felt like white-hot coiled darkness flowed down my arm, slithering into me, trying to reach into my soul—

But the lunar power left in me drove it out.

I mentally pushed as hard as I could, forcing it back into Merikh and giving him a blast of my own pure magic.

He hissed, pulling his arm back into the cell as he gave me a suspicious look.

A moment later, he'd recovered, while I was still frozen in place, gasping for breath.

What had that been?

Merikh shook his hand, smiling again, but this time his expression was tight. "Ouch. You pack a punch, tiny Caller."

"What did you try to do to me?" The darkness was gone, burned out by the light of the moon, but I still felt sick to my stomach from how invasive it had felt.

Merikh just shrugged. "I didn't try to harm you. I gave my word. It was just a little test."

I didn't want to risk getting too comfortable in here, close enough for him to touch again. I backed towards the door and gripped the handle. "I would say it was a pleasure talking to you, but it wasn't. Enjoy your stay."

Merikh laughed, and I made the mistake of glancing back and finding him casually draped on the bars. "You'll come back. Fenris hurt you; I see it written on your soul."

I scoffed, but he grinned wider.

"I'm the only one with your answers. Have fun playing hide the salami with Ryden, Alpha's pet. Maybe when he grows tired of you, you'll come down here and get the full story."

"I won't be back," I growled under my breath, stepping out and yanking the door shut behind me.

I still heard Merikh's laughter as I practically sprinted up the stairs.

And ran straight into Calian at the top.

13

Calian

Ayla slammed into me,and almost plunged backwards down the stairs when she pushed away in a blind panic.

I caught her wrists, pulling her out of the stairwell and out into the cool night air. "What were you doing down there?"

There was only one thing down there, and he wasn't good. At all.

The moon only knew what poison he'd been dripping into her head while she was alone with him.

There were no flesh-and-blood Guardians stationed here for a reason—Merikh the Bloodfang had proven he was too fucking dangerous with his words alone. He could talk a saint into blasphemy.

Ayla was pale, but she looked up at me, a hint of irritation in her features. "I was exploring my newhome."

Her emphasis on the word wasn't lost on me.

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