Page 22 of Fated In Blood

Blake, we can walk away from this. Don’t let him suck you into his trap.

Laurent’s smile deepened. “I believe you remember Valaine from a few years back. He’s made breaking humans apart an art form and my guests deserve a spectacle tonight to distract them from the destruction she caused by blowing up my staircase.”

That was her?Blake remained still, but his regard intensified.Clever little thing.

Don’t fucking do it, Blake. She is not our problem.

This entire evening was a clever, intricate trap; she was the bait and Blake and I were the quarry.

I didn’t know what Laurent wanted, but the proverbial floor was about to drop out from beneath my feet. This girl…My gaze drifted back to the blond in the painting, Laurent’s smile widening when he noticed where my eyes had landed.

He can’t give her to Valaine. We cannot allow this to happen, Rohr.

You’re seriously suggesting we turn her? You and I will be lucky to survive the year, Blake. You turn her, you’re only delaying her fate.

Blake went silent, studying the human still clawing at the coils of Tyrell’s magic, her body one long, taut line of rage. Shehadn’t stopped fighting since Bosch dragged her in, and I sized up the burly guard, his burned face only now beginning to heal.

She’d done that to him. She’d infiltrated one of the most secure fortresses in the country and blown Laurent Tyrell’s castle to cinders, nearly taken out his most trusted guard, destroyed his favorite staircase, and from the gash on her arm, had probably taken out a few more minions before they’d dragged her back here.

My question was…why?

I don’t fucking care what her chances are, they’re better than the ones she’s facing right now. I’m turning her.Blake stepped forward, eyes on the struggling girl. “I’ll fucking do it, now let her breathe, you fucking bastard.”

No. This is a mistake. Look at Tyrell’s face. You’re giving him exactly what he wants.

Blake glanced over his shoulder, his expression bleak as he touched his finger to the ring at his throat, like somehow, it might bring him luck tonight.

I know, but I can’t leave her here, Rohr. You know all the reasons I can’t.

13

EVANGELINE

“I’ll fucking do it.” Desperation flooded my body along with a burst of adrenaline at the male’s hoarse declaration, though the words seemed to be dragged out of his mouth.

No, no, no. Panic like I’d never felt before drove every other thought out of me, giving me more strength than I should have, especially in my beat-to-shit state.

This was not happening. I had to get out of here. I couldn’t let this happen.

But I could barely move, trapped inside…some kind of invisible prison. Like I was encased in a vise of iron from head to toe. There were no weak points, no vulnerabilities for me to exploit. Just cold, cruel pressure squeezing my skin with a sharp, icy bite thathurt.

Somewhere behind me a clock ticked, counting down the seconds like an executioner.

Keep fighting little one. You’re even more perfect than I thought you’d be. Your sister did not do you justice when she described you.

I paused at the creeping voice echoing inside my head.

If this sick bastard could imprison me without touch and speak through my thoughts, then I’d better save my strength and look for a better opportunity to escape. That would be the smart move, instead of wasting my energy flailing around on the floor like a fish.

Get a grip, Evie, and start using your damned head.

We were in some sort of office. Or library. Blood red brocade wallpaper and shelves sagging from the weight of books, none of them newer than a hundred years. An enormous desk covered with trinkets and artifacts. My eyes lifted to what hung on the wall.

A fucking painting of my sister and the bloodsucking bastard who was currently holding me captive hung behind the desk. She looked happy, and bile rose in my throat, threatening to choke me.

Then my eyes caught—again—with the two vampires from earlier.

They were frighteningly powerful, and lacked Tyrell’s cruel, vicious edge, but they weren’t here to save me. The one they’d called king looked for all the world like he’d hand me over to my fate and wash his hands of this whole business.

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