Page 47 of Owned

I looked over my shoulder at the poisonous flowers at the bottom of the ravine and another shiver ran through me.

“Do you want to go back?” he asked.

I nodded, unable to answer.

Valen drew his arm around my shoulders and pulled me away from the edge of the ravine.

Could he hear my thoughts? The thundering of my heart that threatened to choke me?

My mind spun in circles.

Valen wanted to help me—to help me escape this place.

That was what they’d promised me when I had first given in to Titus’ demands.

Give us what we want, and you’ll get what you want.

Freedom. That was what I wanted—and Valen was going to give it to me.

My mother’s face flashed in my mind, then Lucian’s.

The sight of my stepfather—of the sorcerer I was going to marry in a few weeks’ time… Was he the one behind this? Was Valen playing me, just like the rest of them? Or did he really want me?

Did I really want him?

I thought of the kiss, of the sharp, sweet thrill of the way our bodies entwined... My heart skipped. My pulse raced.

Even though my legs felt strange and the ground was uneven, I forced myself to keep walking.

The trees grew thinner. The sky broke through. I could see the outline of Withermarsh ahead, larger and more terrifying than ever. It was my prison, my nightmare, my home.

I could sense Lucian’s presence, even from this distance, and it filled me with dread.

I needed to choose… soon.

“Are you all right?” Valen asked.

The sound of his voice startled me.

“Fine,” I snapped.

Confusion twisted his features, and he stopped at the edge of the garage.

“Let me know what you decide,” he said.

I didn’t answer and the grimoire’s words echoed in my thoughts and drowned out everything else.

It was angry with me—angry that I would consider severing our bond.

Was it even possible?

“No.”

The hiss was dangerous— terrifying.

That meant it was possible.

And if I could escape the grimoire’s influence, maybe I could escape this place, too…

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