Page 9 of Martyr

“I solved part of our problem, didn’t I?” Lake sat up, watching as Yejun lightly pressed at Nix’ neck. His expressionwas unreadable. “Someone was threatening him, now hopefully they’ll think twice.”

West rolled his eyes. “A claiming mark isn’t going to stop the threats, not if this person is involved with whoever is trying to take us down. If anything, you’ve only managed to paint a bigger target on Nixie’s back.”

“He’s right,” Yejun agreed. “This was hasty. That’s unlike you.”

“Whatever.” Lake stood with a flourish. “What’s done is done.”

“The council isn’t going to like this.”

“Screw them.”

“Yeah, except we need them, asshole,” West reminded. “Or have you forgotten your bid for the throne?”

The whole reason Nix was here, going through all of this at the hands of these Demons, was because of that damn throne.

After the untimely deaths of the Emperor and her Royal Consort, Lake was now next in line for the crown. Of course, power never changed hands that easily, and there were those on the council against him taking control. His age and the fact he was still in university were constantly brought up as reasons. As much as he hated to admit it, Nix could kind of see how adding mating with a nobody such as himself would equate to yet another red mark to be brandished against Lake.

But how was that his fault? He hadn’t asked to be bitten. In fact, he’d been wholeheartedly against it.

“You wanted to use me to lure out the hacker you’re after,” Nix boldly said as Yejun carefully secured a bandage over the injury. “What moron would come to me now?”

“A true mating bite ties you for life,” Yejun nodded, understanding where he was going with this. “No one would risk asking Nix to turn on us now that he’s been claimed like this.”

West swore and very clearly wanted to hit something.

“Does he look like he was taken by choice?” Lake disagreed steadily. “There are still tears in his eyes, and his cheeks are all red. Enough people saw us at his dorm to spread the word. Come morning, the whole campus will be abuzz about how the tyrant future emperor forced him into an unwanted life of servitude.”

Nix bristled. “A mate is not aslave.”

“Only an hour ago you were claiming the bite doesn’t count, now you’re eager to classify it?”

“Fuck you, Lake.” Nix slapped Yejun’s hands off of him and got to his feet, moving to distance himself from the lot of them. It effectively put him in the corner of the room, but it wasn’t like there was any chance of escape for him anyway.

Mating marks were outdated and hardly ever practiced in modern society, but they’d once been the most important aspect of a relationship. A physical signifier that someone was claimed and coupled. If anyone else had pulled this stunt on him, Nix could have them arrested and thrown into prison. But Lake was far above the law. Bringing attention to this would only bury Nix deeper.

He'd be the only one expected to abide by the old ways, which meant, even if he did somehow manage to escape, he couldn’t return home. That would be the first place searched, and if he was found, he’d be returned to Lake like a lost pet would.

Forget giving up his dream of working for Star Eye Holding, that would be nothing.

If he wanted out, he’d have to give up his entire life.

“If you insist.” Lake’s fingers started undoing his belt, but before Nix could start to worry, his best friends stopped him.

“You’ve done enough to traumatize him for one day,” Yejun said.

“Cut the shit,” West joined in. “At this point, you’ll break him before I even get the chance to fuck him properly. We had a deal, the three of us, and you’ve stepped out of bounds. This is permanent, and it affects us all.”

“How so?” Lake tipped his head stubbornly. “You’re not the one who marked him. Therefore, you bear no lifetime responsibility.”

“He’sours,” West growled. “Not yours.Ours.”

“Relax, he can be my mate and still be your plaything.”

“I hate you,” it was out of Nix’s mouth before he could help it, but as soon as it was, he felt an inkling of relief. At least he was being honest. It might be the only freedom he now had. The right to express himself. No matter the consequences. “I hate all three of you.”

Lake for dragging him into this in the first place.

West for treating him like an object they could fight over.

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