Page 113 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

What’s happening to Vic?

If those bastards hurt him….

Gods help them.

VIC OPENEDhis eyes. He was bound, arms behind the chair back, ankles tied to its legs. The first thing he registered was the faint hum of the AC. The air temperature was cool, the lighting limited, but enough to see the wide chair across the room from him. He squinted, trying to get a better look at its occupant.

“Welcome to my home.”

It was a cultured voice, smooth and low.

It was also menacing as fuck. Vic’s balls wanted to shrivel up and retreat into his body at the sound.

“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me where your home is located.” The words came out as a croak, and he cursed his dry throat. No way did he want to appear afraid of this guy.

Except he was, and he had no idea why.

The man in the chair gestured with one hand, and someone stepped closer, holding a glass with a straw. Vic sucked on it greedily, relishing the cool water. When it was withdrawn, he cleared his throat and stared at the dark figure before him.

“Who are you?”

“Don’t you know?” A light flickered, illuminating the speaker, and Vic sucked in his breath.

This was Someone. He sat straight in his chair, legs crossed, hands clasped in his lap. His expensive-looking suit fitted him perfectly, but what drew Vic’s attention was his face.

His eyes. They were dark, catching pinpricks of light.

Vic was being studied.

Whoever this guy was, he was old. And intelligent. Not only that, he was dangerous.

Vic took a breath. “Well, you’re not Fielding.” No trace of a tremor in his voice.

He frowned. “And how would you know that?”

Vic managed a shrug. “I’ve seen him.”

“I doubt that.” The man stilled, eyebrows arched. “Wait. Of course. If Saul Emory saw him, that means you did too.” He smiled. “My name is?”

“Theron,” Vic blurted, recalling his conversation with Orsini.

It had to be.

Theron arched his eyebrows once more. “Very impressive indeed.”

“Now tell me why I’m here.”

That thin smile was as creepy as his voice. “You’re about to be a pawn in my ongoing game. An important piece, in fact.” His eyes glinted. “You’re going to provide me with the perfect excuse to declare war on the Fridans—legitimately.”

Vic didn’t like the sound of that at all.

“They’ll find me,” he ground out.

Theron shrugged. “Anything is possible.” He leaned forward, his dark eyes focused on Vic. “But all they’ll find is a corpse.” Vic froze, and Theron chuckled. “Oh, not immediately. We have to prove you’re still alive, don’t we? And you will be—until your time runs out.”

Vic wished his thoughts could reach his mates, but he had no idea where he was, or how far away they were.

He was still going to try.

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