Page 46 of Captive Hybrid

Okay. Time to go. Great job, Zenna. Aidan gets to his feet, whispering frantically to those at his table, the same as Will, before catching up to me as I leave.

‘That wasn’t a great idea,’ Aidan says, walking out with me.

‘Hey, I didn’t ask to be held captive here. You don’t like it? Show me the way out.’ I march down the hall, trying to remember the way back to Evelyn’s rooms, wondering if she still even wants me as a ‘roommate.’ Damn it, every single hallway looks the same to me.

‘Zenna.’ Aidan touches a hand to my upper arm, stopping me. ‘We’re trying to be friends with you.’

I meet his gaze. All I feel when I look at him is confusion. It doesn’t matter that he, or Will, or anyone isn’t currently trying to murder me. What’s to stop them if they tried? Nothing. Except me. And hopefully my vines.

I shake my head. ‘No. You can’t expect me to just accept all of this.’ I wave my hands about, gesturing everything. ‘Next time you abduct someone, maybe give them an option first. Much better way to start friendships.’ I stalk off alone, my footsteps the only sound in the empty hallways.

After wandering aimlessly for, well, who can tell the time down here? I find my mind wandering from trying to memorise the layout of this underground maze, which, let’s face it, isn’t going to happen. It’s as though this place were designed to get lost in, though I’ve yet to come across any other meandering souls.

This is the first time I’ve been left alone, uncaged since I got here. I would have thought I’d be thrilled to be unsupervised, but I now realise how exposed I am. I tuck my hands into the pockets of my jeans, then fist them at my sides, unsure how to keep alert.

If a vampire wants to sneak up on me, I have little chance of getting the drop on them. They could rip my throat out in the blink of an eye. My chest tightens.

Mordecai?Pain flits through my head. I’m still not used to it, but it’s not as intense as it was the first time.

A stream of happiness floats down the bond. Hey, you’re talking to me again. Is everything okay?

I stare down each end of the long hall, two lit torches near each end, leaving me in a pool of shadow. I have no idea where to go, where I am, or what to do. A little panic and loneliness grip me. I guess. I know this might sound weird, but I’m… having trouble wrapping my head around some things. There are vampires down here, obviously, but there are also humans and witches. And none of them act as though they’re here against their will. Aidan is very happy with Evelyn, and I just met another witch named Will… I feel like I’m going a little crazy, as though the fact that I’m a captive is just in my head, everyone here is nice—I mean, in that I haven’t been killed yet—and I just don’t know how to be.

Ah. A moment of contemplation. Well, trust me, it’s not in your head, Zen. Do you want to be there?

No.

Then you’re being held against your will, he says, surprisingly softly. Look, just play nice until we can get you out of there, okay? It will be alright.

I chew my bottom lip, holding in one, burning question.

Zenna, is there something you’re not saying?

Damn. How’d he know? I fidget in the hall, a burst of equal parts embarrassment and arousal washing through me. Have you ever thought about claiming me?

An embarrassed, nervous chuckle passes through the bond. I just jerked the steering wheel, he says quietly. Um, I mean… yes. Have you?

Yeah. The thought of his teeth clamping down on me has taken up more of my time and fantasies than I care to admit, but he’s thought of it, too!

Why do you ask?

I just… Aidan’s trying to help me, uh, get my head wrapped around why someone would want to be bitten. He compared it to you claiming me.

That—that’s not really the same. I wouldn’t be eating you.The horror and disgust are clear.

That’s what I said!I just… I’m nervous, being around people like this. And that witch I just met, Will, he had no scars. He drinks from his vampire!

Oh. That’s, ehm, different.I can tell he’s desperately withholding judgment. He’s doing better than I am. Zen… his voice is tight with hesitation. Would you… I mean, I know we’re not together or anything, and we’re certainly not in the ballpark of claiming— He chuckles nervously, obviously doing his best to keep his cool. I wonder what his face gives away, or who he’s with right now. Would you ever… want me to claim you?

Blush floods my cheeks, heating my entire body. Though he’s not here, I clap a hand over my mouth and turn to face the wall, hiding behind the curtain of my hair. I take a moment to gather myself. Goddess, I’m glad he didn’t see that silly reaction. I mean… I always expected we would. A calm, nonplussed reaction.

Uh, well, yeah. You know, me too.Ow, he adds. Divina—Sorry, Zenna, Divina is being a nuisance. She’s figuring out we’re talking and is demanding that she get to talk to you and have you practice with your vines. I’ll let her in in a moment. Just one more thing, Zenna, yes, I would definitely want that someday, I want you, but I’d only do it if you wanted it, too. His voice is low and soft, like a caress over my bare skin.

My choice. He’s letting me decide, but beyond that—he wants me.

You… you’re undoing your rejection?A rollercoaster of emotions passes through me, making me want to hurl and squeal with joy at the same time.

Sharp pain passes down the bond, enough to make me whimper. It’s him. His pain I’m feeling. Tears prick my eyes.

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