Page 214 of Owned

My torment?

The world as I knew it?

The guests who noticed our approach nudged one another and a chill ran down my spine as their eyes caught the strange shine of the lantern light.

I felt like a sacrifice being led to the altar—which, in a way, I was.

This entire celebration had been nothing but an elaborate ritual, and I was about to be slaughtered.

Lucian’s chin rose as he noticed our approach, and his pale eyes locked onto mine.

The surrounding conversation died instantly, and his companions stepped back with practiced deference. He extended a hand toward me, fingers stained black with the taint of his magic, and my arm moved against my will to lay my hand upon his.

“Ah, my bride grows impatient,” he announced to his circle. His voice was dark and seductive, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

Honey on a knife blade.

“Only for you,” the entity replied with my voice, and I screamed silently as my body pressed against Lucian’s, fitting itself to his form like a missing puzzle piece.

My hand—controlled by the entity—traced a path up Lucian’s chest and came to rest at the base of his throat.

The touch was intimate and possessive, and my mind recoiled even as my fingertips registered the coolness of his skin and the steady rhythm of his pulse beneath them.

“You were saying something about the eastern territories?” the entity asked, my voice a purr that I didn’t recognize.

Lucian’s expression shifted, and his brow creased slightly as he took hold of my hand and pressed his lips against my palm. “Was I? Well— Business can wait until tomorrow, my dear.”

The entity leaned in closer and my lips brushed against his ear. “I was hoping we might retire early,” it whispered. “The night grows cold, and I find myself craving... warmer accommodations.”

Bile rose in my raw throat and my stomach lurched at the suggestion, though the entity maintained perfect control of my physical reactions.

I knew what retiring early meant—what consummating this union would entail—and the horror of it threatened to overwhelm me.

“You’ve waited long enough to make me yours completely,” the entity continued and turned my hand gently in his grasp. “Why delay what webothdesire?”

Lucian’s pupils dilated and hunger flashing across his features. His other hand slid around my waist and pulled me closer still. “Patience was never my virtue,” he replied, his breath hot against my skin.

“No virtue at all,” I choked out.

“Virtue is for Sages,” the entity said in my voice and the sycophants around burst out in appreciative laughter that echoed strangely over the garden.

The entity’s lips curved slowly into a smile that promised things I couldn’t bear to contemplate.

“Noooo,” my moan of horror was lost in the darkness that surrounded me. No one could hear me. Titus, Valen, and Bastian—they were blind to what had happened. They hated me.

Lucian’s answering smile was predatory. “You continue to surprise me, Avril.” His fingers tightened possessively on my waist. “I thought you might be more... reluctant.”

“I know what I want,” the entity replied. “And tonight, I want you.”

The lie slithered from my lips with convincing ease, and I felt myself pulled further into the recesses of my mind as I fought to regain control. But every movement I made was blocked, every attempt to call my power was muffled.

“You can’tdothis!” I screamed.

As Lucian’s arm encircled me, preparing to lead me away from the reception, the entity’s assurance echoed in my mind once more: “Trust me.”

But how could I trust what I couldn’t understand?

How could I believe in salvation when I was being led willingly to my death?

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