Page 65 of Shadows of Fate

My head was throbbing and my shoulder clearly still had a blade lodged into it. I pulled gently at my wrists, which were still bound behind my back. Unfortunate, truly. I normally didn’t enjoy being the one bound.

My mind flashed to Silvana being tied up in my shadows to our bed and my cock stirred at the image. At least that worked, although this was not the time. I meant what I’d told Bastian—I wasn’t worried about her. Maybe I should’ve been, but I knew she was okay. Not only was she capable of taking care of herself, but I was also confident she’d find me.

Quickly finishing my bodily inventory, I realized the rest of me felt fine. The blade from my side was gone and healed. I could feel the bond between Silvana and me, though. Like my shadows, it was somewhat muted. As if I were trying to scream down a long tunnel to speak with her, but she wasn’t looking my way.

Letting out a breath, I tried opening my eyes again. I was in a dark room lying on my side, I knew that much. I slowly lifted my head, trying to get a better view of where I was. The walls seemed to be made of a dark stone, the floor was the same. There were no windows, and the one door was made of thick wood with a small, barred window at the top.

A dungeon. How original.

I had no idea how much time had passed since Delano had taken me.

“Silvana?”I tried sending through the bond.

I felt the bond pull tight for a moment, and then nothing. I laid my head on the cold stone floor, feeling more exhausted than I had since I’d been turned. I wasn’t sure if it was the aftereffects of the sedative or if it had been that long that I’d been asleep. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel as if it was a good sign.

Closing my eyes for a few moments, I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I was suddenly lifted from the ground and slammed back down into a chair. I grunted and pulled against the bonds again. Apparently, they’d pulled them through the back of the chair—smart.

“Don’t bother trying. The dagger in your shoulder is quite potent. While the effects of the sedative have worn off, the rest of the effects aren’t even close to being over with,” the male in front of me stated. His voice jogged a memory, but I couldn’t place him. “By this point your head is foggy, your powers aren’t working, you’re probably still exhausted. Sound about right?”

“Fuck off,” I muttered.

“Mmm, maybe later. After our chat. I will say, you worked through it faster than I expected you to. So that took some extra work on my part, but not to worry.” He pulled up a chair and sat down in front of me.

“What exactly is it you want?” I grumbled. My voice was coming out strained and I was having trouble focusing my eyes on him. Normally I’d be annoyed by this, but I was still too tired to give a fuck. The chair was uncomfortable, he was correct about my head, and my shoulder was killing me.

The soul-bond tattoo around my wrist started pulsing, and I smiled at the thought that my female was thinking of me.

A loud sigh sounded in front of me, bringing me back to the here and now. This damp, dark cell wasn’t exactly the paradise I’d left behind.

“Are you smiling right now? How hard did those drugs affect you?” he sneered.

“Just thinking about how fun it’s going to be when my ice queen shows up, kills you, and then we fuck beside your still warm body,” I muttered.

The male was quiet for a moment. “That’s a nice thought for you, but I wouldn’t hope too much for it. It’ll be a true Fates-given miracle if she is able to find you here. I didn’t leave her in the best of conditions, I’ll be honest.”

I jerk my eyes open to stare at the male across from me. He’s tall, probably around my height. Broad shoulders and blond hair that’s pulled back in a small ponytail at the nape of his neck. His brown eyes peered across the room at me, and he looked pleased with himself. He was wearing a blue silk shirt and black pants, shiny loafers on his feet. He looked dressed for anything other than torturing me.

There wasn’t a single special thing about this male. I didn’t even feel much power coming off of him, which led me to believe he was some sort of shifter. Not that shifters weren’t powerful. Cedar, for example, was very powerful. But their power radiates differently than those of us with active magic.

“You’re giving off small rodent energy right now. Who are you?” I mumbled.

I watched as his face turned a light shade of red, and I chuckled. He stood and strolled out of the room.

“Well, that was fun. Nice talking to ya, bud,” I muttered as my head dropped back down against my chest. Apparently, he didn’t appreciate being called a rat, but if he was working with scum like Delano, I’m allowed to call it as I see it.

A moment later he came strolling back into my cell with a smirk on his face. I wanted to spit at him, just to enjoy the rage that would fill his gaze. I glanced down at his hand, realizing he was holding another shadow stone blade. How original of him.

“Oh no, the kidnapper is back and this time he’s armed,” I grumbled. He sat back down in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. “A very feminine posture. Must not have much down there to squish,” I joked.

At that point, I was doing anything I could to piss him off and keep my mind awake and occupied.

“I was asked to… hold you for an unknown amount of time. My master, well, he wants what you have.” He smiled.

His master? Why was that so prevalent in my brain lately? First my dreams about Silvana, and now him.

“And what is that? My court? You’d have to kill me for that to happen, and my inner court. Good luck with all of that,” I replied.

He laughed, loud and full. “No, you imbecile. Not your court. The female. Silvana.”

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