Page 201 of Owned

“With this wound, I bare myself—” the entity spoke with my voice and I screamed soundlessly as they echoed. “To be seen, to be claimed, to be feared. Let my blood call to yours across shadow and flame, and let no power sever what we seal tonight.”

Lucian’s smile was grotesque as he extended his hand and the same acolyte pressed the ceremonial dagger against his palm.

“By the blood that binds and the name that commands, I offer dominion, desire, and dread,” he said in a voice that was filled with lust more than anything and I squirmed in the grip of the binding that held me, desperate to get away. “With this cut, I claim what is mine—”

“Never!” I screamed. “Never, never!”

“Calm, child,” the voice whispered in my ear. “Your time will come. This is necessary—”

The Elder took hold of Lucian’s wrist and guided his bloody hand to my shoulder. Wound to wound. Blood mingling. Binding.

My body arched as a flash of pain jolted through me and a cry tore from my lips.

Even the entity gasped.

“A potent joining,” the Elder announced proudly. “Let the world break before this bond is severed!”

The guests broke into rapturous applause that filled my ears and drowned out my screams.

Even though the dampening effect of the possession, I could feel the pull of Lucian’s magic as it coiled around me like a serpent ready to strike, claiming dominion over my will.

And then, as if summoned by my despair, thoughts of Titus, Valen, and Bastian flooded my mind—a bittersweet tide that rose to engulf me. A spell had been cast to keep them away— What if they sensed my pain through our bond?

What if they sought to intervene, unaware of the entity that had usurped control of my body?

The officiant lifted his hands and looked out over the crowd, but Lucian’s palm stayed sealed to the wound on my collarbone. His thumb rubbed over the pulse at the base of my throat as he stared into my eyes.

I could feel the pressure of his touch, but nothing more.

I was numb.

Shaking with anger and revulsion.

Just as the officiant prepared to deliver the final words—the heavy doors of the ballroom slammed open and sent a gust of cold air swirling into the ballroom like an angry spirit.

My heart jolted as I caught sight of my stepbrothers, fierce and wild-eyed, as they cut through the crowd.

Hope flared in my chest, but I could feel the entity’s irritation at their interruption.

“They’re stronger than you think,” I said with a smile.

“It makes no difference,” the entity murmured. “What’s done is done. They’ll still be feeling the effects of the binding… But even if they weren’t, there is no unmaking this.”

“Avril!” Titus’s voice was raw and his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. The sight of him made my chest ache—but there was nothing I could do. No comfort I could offer.

Lucian’s hand lifted from my skin, and the entity let out a gasp that escaped from my lips as another wave of magic swept through us. Through me.

A little of Lucian’s power—it was mine now.

“Get away from her!” Valen shouted as he stepped forward. There was a fire in his eyes, a primal instinct to shield me from the dark fate Lucian had crafted. But as they confronted their father, I knew it was pointless—they were too late.

“Foolish boys,” Lucian drawled in a casual tone that was edged with venom. He looked down at his blood-smeared palm and flexed his hand before he held it up to show the rapidly healing wound. “You really think you can storm in here and disrupt this celebration?”

“Celebration?” Bastian echoed, his tone incredulous as he stepped beside Valen, shoulders squared. “What you’ve done is madness! We won’t let you kill her—”

Lucian’s laughter rang out, cruel and cutting. It danced off the walls and, in an instant, it was echoed by the voices of the guests who joined him in his dark mirth.Did they even know why they were laughing?

“My dear sons,” Lucian said with a shake of his head. “I offer her power beyond your imaginations, and youdareto call this madness?”

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