Page 9 of Seized to Sacrifice
Staring at the door, he stepped over the line of salt and, taking a small brush, swept it down between the floorboards. If any of the servants came in and found a salt circle, world would get back to Nyx and Rye. Difficult questions would follow.
He couldn't spend any more time in this room either, or they'd know something was wrong.
Thorne took a long look in the mirror and combed back his short, black hair. He usually took pains to ensure his appearance was immaculate. If he didn’t now, they’d start to suspect.
Standing in front of his door, he moved the chair and took a deep breath. What if they knew just by looking into his eyes?
‘They won’t know,’ he said to himself.
He just needed to stay calm. Willing his shaking hands to still, he opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. There was no one there.
Thorne walked slowly, making his way to the library as he normally would at this time of day. Sitting in his favored chair by the hearth, he poured himself a goblet of wine without thinking. He took a sip and then froze. Imbibing would lead to lost time.
What if he made it to the village? He didn't remember anything of what his other form did, but he knew that was because the Beast kept it from him. Why, he didn't know.
He put the goblet down with a sigh, stood up, and began to pace again before leaving the library. Unable to sit still, he decided to take a walk around the keep to calm his nerves.
He found himself down in the dungeon though he never usually came here unless he had to, having spent so many years in its dark depths before.
He didn't blame his Brothers for locking him up. They’d done what was needed, but this place made his heart race.
His eyes narrowed as they lay eyes on her form. She was asleep on the slab in her cell. He’d thought Rye had chained her to the wall. She had a blanket as well. He shook his head. His Brothers might as well give her the largest chamber upstairs while they were at it.
He hadn’t been sure at first, but when she’d said Nyx’s name … there had been no way for her to know it unless one of the servants had said it in front of her, but only Fen had been down here to bring her food and water. He wouldn’t have spoken to her at all let alone have told her their names.
He had no doubt now that it really was her, and he would treat her accordingly.
* * *
Beast
He tookover as quickly as he could. He didn't like where Thorne’s thoughts were headed, but he had no idea why. What did he care for this female? Humans in this realm had never been worth much to him.
He slipped into the cell that Thorne had already so considerately unlocked for him and approached her. She was asleep on the hard, stone slab with a blanket over her. He frowned. Why was he glad of that? He wasn't sure. What was it about this woman that interested him so? She might well be who the others thought, but he didn’t much care about that either.
Springing up lightly onto the stone slab and practically straddling her, he looked her over. She was on her back, her eyes closed. He canted his head as he stared at her long lashes, fanned out over pale cheeks. Her hair was the color of fresh blood … and fire.
Leaning in closer, he put his head next to hers, still not touching. Beneath the dirt and grime, there was a scent that called to him. Without thinking, he flicked his tongue out and licked the edge of her bottom lip.
He let out a hard breath, his entire body shuddering. She tasted sweet and … something else. His eyes widened and he sprang away, a word searing itself into his mind:
Mate.
He grimaced, not wanting this female in front of him to hold such sway. She was marked for torture. His Brothers would be visiting all the cruelties they could think of upon her over the coming weeks.
But it was already too late. He couldn't speak for Thorne, but the Beast was hers completely.
He jumped back up onto the slab and settled over her, his time brushing against her body just enough to tantalize himself. His large, black claws settled on either side of her face as he leant down and kissed her lips.
His cock was already hard between their bodies, and he ached to have her, but even he knew that now wasn’t the time.
‘Don't worry,’ he whispered. ‘I'll keep you safe even from my own Brothers.’
* * *
Nyx
It had been days.He hadn't been down into the dungeons since she had been lying on the floor telling him she wasn't who they thought and, in truth, he hadn't been able to get her words out of his mind.
