Page 157 of Owned

But all I could do was bite down harder on my cheek and swallow the tang of blood that washed over my tongue.

We stopped outside Lucian’s chambers and the guard shoved me through the door before I could retaliate.

I spun around, ready to scream, but he was already gone and the door slammed shut with the finality of a prison cell.

I was alone in the large room. Thick damask curtains covered the windows, but I knew they would be locked or sealed by wards and spells. It was useless to even try to open them.

I had seen this room in my nightmares. In the haunting visions that the grimoire had shown me.

I hated it.

I hated that my mother had been here—I hated that she and Lucian had fucked on the wide bed…

I was more afraid of what Lucian would do to me this time than I had been of the Necromi’s threats.

I sank to my knees on the deep carpet. Tears burned my eyes, but this time I didn’t wipe them away.

My misery and hopelessness came out in a sudden rush of gasps and tears.

“Pathetic,”the grimoire whispered, and I choked on my sobs.

“Fuck you,” I hissed.

“All this power—all this potential—and you sit here on your knees… crying instead of planning.”

Planning.

But I couldn’t escape.

Not now.

Not ever.

“Lying to yourself now—”

Was I?

“Easier to stay a prisoner.”The grimoire’s presence coiled in my mind and its words were dark and shimmered like oil.“But what of your promise—”

“I made no promises,” I muttered as I wiped at my cheeks.

“You can’t hide the truth for long,”the grimoire hissed. The smoothness of its words had taken on a dangerous edge. As though it was angry with me.

But that was impossible.

I struggled to my feet and pressed my palms against my hot cheeks.

Get your shit together.

Lucian will be back soon enough. I had to be ready.

My misery had faded to a dull ache, and the power in my veins had begun to heal the injuries I’d sustained.

The wedding was only days away…

But how many?

I didn’t know how long I’d been held captive—

---