Page 213 of Owned

“I don’t know—”

A breathy chuckle in response.

“Trust me…”

“I’m sure I’ll serve him well,” the entity replied with my voice in a sultry tone that made me recoil internally.

In my body, the entity moved through the reception with practiced ease as it navigated the dark opulence of the garden party. The shadows cast by the silk lanterns seemed to reach for me with grasping fingers.

“Patience,” the entity whispered into the cavern of my consciousness. “We’re nearly there.”

I fought against the bonds of magic that held me captive within my own flesh.

My struggle was pointless—like trying to claw through stone with bare fingers—but I couldn’t stop myself.

I couldn’t justletthis happen to me. I had to fight, even if no one could see my resistance.

Guests parted before us like a dark sea and their faces blurred together in a parade of false smiles and hungry eyes. They looked at me as if I were already on borrowed time… approaching the altar to be sacrificed, ready to be consumed.

What Lucian did to his brides was no secret.

They’d seen it before.

“The power of Withermarsh suits you,” murmured a man with a beard like steel wool and teeth too white to be real. “You wear it well.”

“It was always meant to be mine,” the entity replied, using my voice to speak words that sent chills down my spine.

“What thefuckdoesthatmean?” shouted into the void. My voice echoed back to me, but the entity didn’t answer.

Their motivations remained as shrouded as my own consciousness, and the sense of dread that had been building since the possession began swelled into something more acute.

Across the garden, Lucian stood surrounded by a circle of sycophants and I watched in disgust as their bodies curved toward him like flowers seeking the sun. His pale hair gleamed in the lantern light, and his sharp features were animated as he spoke with grand gestures. Even from a distance, I could see the triumphant gleam in his eyes.

He’d won. He’d claimed me. He believed I was his.

“Arrogant bastard,” the voice murmured in my ear.

At least we agreed on that.

My body moved with newfound purpose, and each step was measured and deliberate. The entity was used to my body now.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” I snarled.

“Hush—”

Suddenly, the entity’s focus sharpened and zeroed in on Lucian with predatory intensity.

Realization flooded through me and my bravado was instantly replaced with fear.

“No,” I pleaded into the void. “No, you can’t— Don’t take me to him. Don’t make me do this.”

“This is necessary, child,” the voice replied, softer now, almost consoling. “Trust me. It will all be over soon.”

Those words, meant to comfort, only intensified my terror.

What would be over soon?

My life?

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