Page 8 of Cursed

It wouldn’t work, but I found it amusing that she hoped it might deter me.

“You should be careful with these dusty books,” I continued. “They might reveal secrets you’d rather not uncover.” My voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, taunting her as I leaned closer, letting her feel the chill radiating from me. “You’re playing with forces far beyond your understanding, little bird.”

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I could see the flicker of uncertainty cross her face—her resolve teetering on the edge. It was exhilarating, knowing I held that power over her, knowing that as much as my brothers and I had ruined her—there was still some innocence hidden inside her.

Innocence like that could be shattered so easily.

“Perhaps it’s time you learned that ignorance isn’t bliss—but a curse,” I finished, my smirk widening as I admired the flush creeping up her neck. A twisted thrill curled through me. She was still mine to toy with, and now she was trapped in a web of her own making, and I couldn’t wait to see how she would struggle against it.

“I’m not ignorant,” she snapped. “I— I was at the Academy.”

I laughed. “Oh, yes. Messana’s elite institution. What the Sages taught you in those hallowed halls isnothingcompared to the truth of the world. My power surged forward and Avril shrank back against the bookshelves as the pale green of my magic curled around my fingers. “Did you think you could learn anything about power from those dusty old men? Did you really believe they were teaching you anything useful there?”

“I— You have to let me go,” she choked out. “Lucian—”

“What about him?”

She hesitated, and then her eyes narrowed as she drew herself up a little straighter. “I— You— You need to explain yourself.”

“For what?” I snorted.

“For betraying me!” Avril cried. She stabbed a finger into my chest, and I took a step back in surprise. “How could you do it— You promised me—”

Her words cut through the silence, but I merely chuckled, enjoying the way her bravado wavered beneath my gaze. Beneath that fierce exterior lay a vulnerability begging to be exposed, and the thought sent a thrill racing through me. I grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her close. Her breath caught, and she swallowed hard as I loomed over her and my fingers tightened around her slender wrist.

Oh, yes. If I wanted her, I could have her.

I could taste her fear, and felt it vibrate through the delicate bones of her wrist. Whether I wanted it or not—she set my senses on fire. Every whisper of her terror was a seductive invitation that called to the darkness within me and fed the beast that yearned for her submission.

“A promise? Did you genuinely think I owed you anything?” I crooned. “We did it— Because we could.”

She flinched at my words as she strained against my grip.

“You needed to know how easily you could be owned and manipulated—” I continued. “There’s so much you don’t know, Avril.” I pulled her against my chest and she let out a soft cry as I grabbed her hip and held her tight.

“Your mother—” I leaned in and murmured into her ear. “She had secrets. Dark ones.” I savored the way her body stiffened against me, and the pulse at her throat throbbed like a frightened rabbit’s. “Haven’t you wondered how she really died? Or what part she played in your father’s downfall?”

“Stop!” she gasped, and tried to step back as if my words had struck her. “Stop this—”

My magic curled around her waist. Tendrils of green smoke that squeezed and tormented her and her breath hissed between her teeth.

“Your mother was part of this world, Avril.” A pause, just enough to let the tension coil between us and enough for her to gasp as she felt the hardness of my cock press against her. “And this world... it demands sacrifices.” I stared into her eyes, daring her to look away. “Perhaps you should ask yourself what price your mother paid—and what you might owe in return.”

For a heartbeat, we stood there and the dim light cast dancing shadows across her delicate features. I could see it now—the glimmer of fear buried deep within her eyes, a fragile thing threatening to shatter at any moment. And yet, even as I toyed with her, I felt that familiar tug of desire—a dangerous craving that I hadn’t been able to push away.

My obsession with her should have faded— But I only craved her more.

I spun around and released my hold on her, freeing her from the trap I’d driven her into. She stumbled and then caught herself on a nearby bookshelf. A few books tumbled from their dusty resting places and crashed to the floor. She let out a strangled yelp as they fell and danced away from the stained parchment.

“Run away if you wish,” I taunted. “But remember, little bird, you can’t fly away from this darkness… it will always find its way back to you.”

She looked at me, her eyes wide and glowing in the dim light of the library.

All it would take was one command from my lips and she would be on her knees—

“This darkness,” I continued as I prowled closer to her trembling form, “isn’t something you can escape from. You learn to hunt— or you become prey.”

I leaned down to pick up one of the fallen books, and my fingers skimmed the weathered leather cover before I slid it back onto the shelf. Avril watched me with cautious eyes. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths that made her soft curves all the more enticing.

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