Page 124 of The Wolf and the Chimera
Lyall’s grip on Kalli’s waist tightened, and she sucked in a breath. His fingers were bone white.
“During this lovely time you two have shared,” Lyall said, “did you realize what you have in common?”
I swallowed. My chimera paced and roared, but no matter how I twisted or shifted my weight, the twins’ grips were unbreakable. Their strength was unlike anything I had faced.
Kalli’s voice was shaky and hollow. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re both fucking liars,” Lyall said.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Elle
Faster than the crack of a whip, Lyall slapped Kalli across the face. I jolted toward her, but the twins only twisted my arms farther, and my shoulders screamed in protest.
Impossible,I thought.It should beimpossibleto hurt one’s mate—
As she stiffened in Lyall’s arms, Kalli’s cheek became a deep shade of red. Lyall murmured and stroked her face. Claws replaced his fingernails, and as quickly as he had slapped her, he dragged them down the side of her face.
She growled and pushed against him, so violently she broke free of his hold. Her green eyes blazed with power, and claws jutted from her fingers. As Kalli crouched and bared her teeth, her power filled the room. It rivaled Lyall’s and raised the hair on the back of my neck.
Mates are equals,I remembered.
As powerful as Lyall was, Kalli was just as formidable.
Lyall laughed and said the one word that would control her.
“Kieran,” he whispered.
Anger blazing in her green eyes, Kalli went still.
“You wouldn’t hurt him,” she growled.
Lyall lifted a brow and studied the gash on her face. He didn’t even need to say the words for his message to beconveyed.
Wouldn’t I?
With Kalli thoroughly paralyzed by his threat, Lyall lifted his chin and focused on me.
“While I’ve enjoyed having you here,” Lyall prattled. “I’m afraid our friendship has been poisoned by insidious lies.”
How does he know?I thought.How could he know I lied—
Throughout history, the witches and the werewolves had been thick as thieves.
“The High Witch told you,” I whispered. “She and her Handmaidens told you what really happened.”
“Just as I’ve told her about your whereabouts these past weeks,” he said, “while she has searched for the warlock she needs to entomb you for all eternity.”
Kalli’s shoulders curved, but she showed no signs of surprise. The salty scent of her sadness coated the air, paired with the bitter tang of guilt.
“She knew,” he said. “Don’t let her maternal act fool you. She was the one who helped me craft the plan.”
No.
No, no no—
“I’m sorry,” Kalli whispered. “I’m so, so sorry.”
