Page 139 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

More shit.

Luce studied Madeline. “So you were human.”

Maddy smiled, her tiny fangs peeking from her lips. “Yep. I was human. Then I wasn’t.”

“You already know her story. What about the riots?” asked Dom.

“What about them?”

“Your doing, Lucian?”

“Nope. I’m more interested in your mate.”

“Don’t be,” snapped Dom.

Luce asked Madeline, “You escaped Praevus?”

“It was more like he let me go after he made me a Syc. I was cured. But then... Bingo, I was kinda a Scourge.”

Luce fixed on Dom’s two eyes and grinned. “No patch. Hmm. I won’t ask how that happened. What are you thinking, assassin? I flew out of Angor, went to Earth, kidnapped your future mate, and dropped her off with a Mind Rat...”

“With Malacour.”

“The trustee and ex-wing commander?”

“The same.”

Luce paused, rubbing a fist across his jaw. “Interesting. So you’re thinking I dropped this lovely human off with Malacour? After that sleight-of-hand, I made her a Scourge, or hybrid-Scourge, for shits and giggles? Then, as if I weren’t busy with all that showmanship, I returned to lead a rebellion...”

“Malacour is the leader,” interrupted Dom.

Lucian laughed. “And I follow that asshole? Okay. That’s a good one. But let’s go with your story. After all that I created geological disruptions in OneWorld and made her whatever she is now? No offense, Madeline. I think you’re lovely. In fact, if you want to desert this asshole... Anyway, why would I do that? How would I do that?”

“Don’t know.”

“What if I told you I’m not guilty? In fact, other than the OC, I don’t know who could do all that.”

“He says he didn’t bring this on.”

“That’s what he said, huh? He’s been known to dodge the truth.”

“The OC wants a chat with you, Luce.”

“Fuck the OC,” he said, his stance widening, as he prepared for a fight.

Dom shoved Madeline behind him with a warning to stay there. “You can go along or you can be dragged along.”

“You against me and all my happy followers?”

“You want a war? I can have the Feard teleport here in an instant.”

The crowd of Scourges went crazy, shouting, jumping up and down, jamming their fists into the air.

“They’ll be extincted, Lucian. The same fate may await you.” Dom drew his sword but kept it at his side.

The rebel glanced over his shoulder at his followers. “I don’t want them hurt because of me. They sought shelter here, and I gave it. Besides, I know what the big guy wants. Lead on, brave Dominion.”

Lucian swooped out his wings, grinning. They were not leathery like a Scourge’s. By way of explanation when they stared, he said, “I glamoured them. You see what I want you to see.”

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