Page 46 of Bitten

An hour later…

Ralnur watched the organized chaos around him as several sorceresses created wards around him, the crackling light trailing behind their fingers before fading into the air. He could feel the bindings around him, as tight as if he were in stocks and chains. The magical ward over the entire room had been dropped seconds before the females went to work binding his powers.

On top of that, several guardsmen and police officers held UV weapons trained at him.

Including Kane.

He eyed the Halfling, anger churning within.

Along with need. A spiraling emotion that was even stronger than it had been the last time they’d been in the same room.

Why him? Why did he have to be here today?

Ralnur looked away, the need he felt for the Halfling only adding to his ire. Once the wards were set, he was placed in actual irons. He lifted his head and captured Kane’s stare before the Halfling placed the first of the metal cuffs on one wrist.

He held his breath, unable to think of anything but being bound for this man.

Pinned to the bed, just as he had been time and time again in the erotic dreams that had plagued him. Kane’s hands on him only made it harder to fight the need. The Halfling’s scent filled his nose and made his body quicken.

The remembered taste of blood on his tongue—not that he was actually sure he truly remembered it at all. He only vaguely recalled that night when Kane had slipped into his room and opened up a wrist.

That moment was also wrapped in pain. He’d been dying, his body tortured to the point of unconsciousness. He hadn’t been truly aware, the moments blending into one another, but there were little flashes in his mind, tiny tidbits he’d seen through the torment.

He’d begged Kane to kill him.

And in a way, perhaps he had.

Kane stared once he was done, towering over Ralnur.

“I hope you’re happy… seeing me like this,” Ralnur whispered hotly under his breath.

“Bound? Perhaps I would be happy to see that.”

Ralnur lifted his chin and met Kane’s stare.

“Let’s get a move on,” Eilam said from behind Kane’s back.

Not that Ralnur could see much past the huge man before him. Kane blotted out the very sun, moon, and stars, making it impossible for Ralnur to see anything else.

Kane took his upper arm and moved them toward the door. The sorceresses walked with them, at the four corners, continuing to lay wards with their hands as they walked. Before and behind those witches were guardsmen at the ready.

Ready to kill him if he took one step out of line.

It was a dance, a clever production with each step practiced and the next anticipated. Ralnur swallowed the shame that washed over him as he was led out of the room and into the hospital hallway. Nurses and healers lined the path, all of them watching the crazy parade traipsing through their hospital. Ralnur was sure it was a grand spectacle, something the gossip magazines would have a field day with. Once they reached the front doors leading outside, they were flung open and Ralnur could hear a crowd chanting.

A myriad of screaming voices all coalesced into one roar…

Death to the abomination!

The king should murder him!

Abomination!

Kill him!

All he wanted to do was crawl deep into a hole and hide away. They only screamed the very things he’d said himself, the things he knew were true—yet hearing them voiced from an angry mob of citizens made it feel so much more of an attack on his very being.

It made him feel dirty and disgusting.

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