Page 83 of The Bodyguard and the Alpha
I sank deeper into my mind. The cage where Beast had been locked for many lonely years, where he had locked my human half when he’d Shifted in the underground bunker, sat empty, the door open.
For years it had worked to prevent my Beast side gaining access to my body. Could it work in reverse? Could I use it to lock my consciousness away? Worth a try. At this point, it was my best chance.
Let’s do this.
I could feel the serum flowing through my system, like buzzing bees under my skin. I didn’t have long, only minutes, before it hit my brain.
Stepping into the cage, I pulled the doors shut behind me.
Awareness of my surroundings instantly ceased. There was no Council Chamber. No sweaty Mage standing over me. Silence. White light. I couldn’t feel my physical fingers or toes. Could hear no noise.
Maybe this wouldn’t be too bad. In my self-imposed imprisonment, perhaps I could ride out the spell until the lawyers arrived to stop this farce.
Shutting my eyes, I imagined a soft bed. It would be an ideal time for a nap. It had been a busy morning and I’d been up early.
***
My mate’s soft voice woke me from my doze. “Bastien, where are you?”
Was it real? Or was it the serum causing my brain to play tricks on me?
Surely it was the serum. But my heart began to pound, the sense of calm that had surrounded me when I entered the cage disappearing. What if she needs me?
I knifed to my feet, the bars of the cage the only visible thing around me. Twelve steps in each direction. Pace. Turn. Pace.
It was the serum. Only the serum.
“Bastien! Come back to me. I need you.”
A snarl left my lips and my claws extended. All I had to do was open the door and I would be able to return to my mate.
She was waiting for me. She loved me. Both parts of my soul yearned for her. I reached for the door handle, before pulling it back. No. It’s a trick.
There was a reason I was in this cage.
But it was becoming hard to remember why I’d done it. Why had I separated myself from my mate? Tugging on my hair, I tried to remember.
Her voice continued to call my name and then I heard her sob.
No. I couldn’t stand her tears.
It was my fault she was crying. I had locked myself in here. I no longer knew why.
I’m coming baby.
***
By the time my brother broke down the Chamber doors, my lawyers with him, it was too late. The guards outside had stopped my lawyers from entering the Chamber and while they waited, the serum had done its job. The Mage had already administered the antidote before they were allowed in. And only once the antidote had taken effect did the person in front of me morph from being my beautiful mate to the Humans First Mage.
I had lost the battle. He had my confession.
Maximilian smiled at my would-be rescuers. It had all the warmth of the Artic in winter. “You are here just in time for the sentencing.”
Luc’s eyes turned to mine. Vaguely I noted as Sims protested, but there was little we could do except play for time. We would appeal, of course. I would ask for a proper hearing.One in which I could tell my side of the story. This whole thing stank of corruption.
Take care of my mate, said my eyes.
Of course I will, said his.Until you are free.
