Page 35 of Midnight Deception

Atlas grits his teeth but takes a step back, his body practically vibrating with the need to dosomething. From the corner of my eye, I see Luna move to her cousin’s side and place her hand on his arm, whispering something so low I can’t make it out in the noise of the ballroom.

Lord Maliki extends his hand with an expectant expression. There aren’t many options for me here, and I don’t really have a choice but to agree. However, I’m going to try to work this in my favour. My instincts are on high alert, both from the way he watches me and the reaction of my wolf and three companions. Borrowing strength from Star, I roll my shoulders back and smile, not letting him see my hesitation. Placing my hand in his, I fight my shudder at the feeling of his dry hand enclosing around mine. My stomach is in knots as I gesture for Star to stay with Kano, wishing I could keep her with me.

“Of course,” I practically purr, drawing on the attitude that the dark presence within me possesses. “Lord Maliki, was it?”

He seems practically delighted with my performance, his eyes sparkling with challenge. “Yes, my dear.” Taking my arm and linking it with his, he takes me out onto the dance floor. Many people are watching us with concerned expressions on their faces. The queen’s scowling face catches my attention, and I’m not sure if it’s aimed at me or the lord.

Pausing in the centre of the ballroom, he moves so he’s opposite me, taking my hand in one of his and placing the other on my waist. This puts us close together, and everything in me rebels against his proximity. I stay stiff in his arms as the music swells, and he leads us into a simple dance. He’s not a strong leader like Kano, so we pretty much just step in a circle, my dress swirling around us and making us look much more impressive than we are.

Silence stretches between us, each of us waiting for the other to break and speak first. I have nothing to say to this man, and I know that the only reason he approached me is because he has something to say, so I stay strong, my eyes scanning the room as we move around the floor.

“You must be very pleased with yourself.” His tone is pleasant, but his grip has tightened on my waist almost to the point of pain.

Shifting my gaze to him, I quirk my brow, attempting to look as though this whole situation isn’t making me uncomfortable. “And why is that, my lord?”

“Ensnaring Atlas, of course.” Laughing lightly, he spins me around before pulling me back against him. “Your poison is already spreading through Haven.” To anyone watching, Maliki would look like he was having a light, polite conversation with me. He must have a reputation though, based on the looks we’re attracting. He’s also given me a vital piece of information.

My smile turns vicious, my voice turning low with a growl. “You belong to the group of werewolf hating witches, I assume?”

He seems amused. “You assume correctly. I am one of the current leaders of our sect.” There’s a pause as he seems to wait for a response.

I realise then that he’s waiting for me to react to the fact that he’s one of the leaders of the group. However, I’m thoroughly unimpressed, and I’m sure my expression shows it from the anger that flashes in his eyes.

“How did you do it?” he demands quietly, his temper beginning to fray.

There are several things he could be asking me about, but I purposely play dumb because I know it’ll annoy him. “Do what?”

He looks like he’s ready to snap, but to my surprise, he takes a deep breath and smiles. The sudden change in him puts me on edge. “How do you make Atlas believe that he’s your mate? Does your magic twist the mind? Should I expect more witches to suddenly find they are also your mates?”

So that’s what’s got him all wound up. They think I’m using magic to trick Atlas into believing he’s my mate. If I could perform magic like that, I wouldn’t still be here, struggling to learn control. I’m sure if I countered with this argument, though, he’d just say I was lying and pretending not to know how to use my power. I don’t even know if what he’s accusing me of is possible, let alone how I’d do it.

“I had nothing to do with it. The goddess decided to bind us together.” I don’t bother to hide my disbelief. “Do you really think I wanted to be tied to someone whodespisesme because of something I can’t control?”

Maliki sighs, shaking his head as though he’s genuinely remorseful. “I really hoped that you’d tell me the truth, but I can’t say that I didn’t expect it from someone like you.”

Someone like me. He means the fact that I’m a werewolf. It must kill him that I’ve got witch blood in me and have been blessed with rare and powerful magic by my goddess. I start to reply, but he finally drops his calm and patient façade, revealing his true hatred.

“You need to leave Haven and never come back.”

I want to throw my hands up in the air and scream that I’m trying, but I can’t do that here, not while the queen is watching. Instead, I push down my frustration and narrow my eyes. “That’s exactly what I want, but it’s something I have no control over.” I try to keep myself under control. “Speak to the queen if you want me gone so badly.”

Maliki snorts and glances over at the queen, who is perched on her throne, looking ready to jump to her feet. The dark witch who had been whispering to her the night I was brought here is also present, standing silently in the shadows of the throne.

“She won’t let you go,” the lord snarls, pulling my attention away from the queen. “Not until she gets what she wants.”

I freeze, this little snippet of information making me stop mid-dance. My gaze is intense as I study his face. “What does she want?”

There’s something else going on here, and the queen is trying to keep me in the dark. Maliki seems to know more though and unwittingly confirmed my suspicions.

Realising that he’s just given something away that he probably shouldn’t have, he clamps his lips shut, his face turning a shade of pink. He takes a menacing step towards me. “If you won’t leave, you’ll find things difficult around here for you. There are lots of dark passages and empty rooms. Who knows what might happen?”

I’m barely breathing as I stare at him, his words slowly registering in my mind. The presence within me rises, and for once, I don’t force it down. I feel her filling me, my eyes glittering as she pushes to the surface. “Are you threatening me?” My voice is low and dangerous, the presence making it soundoff, otherworldly.

He seems to realise that he’s made a mistake, that I’m not the weak young woman he thought I was. I don’t wait around for my mates to save me. I save myself.

In all fairness to him, he doesn’t back away from me, even though I can scent his fear and his instincts must be screaming at him to run. “I’m simply warning you,” he growls, his hatred turning his skin to a shade of puce. “My sect doesn’t hesitate to act when we need to.”

My bond tugs in my chest, telling me that Atlas is approaching before I see him, so when he speaks from behind me, I’m not startled, which is probably a good thing, seeing I am close to just letting the darkness inside me free and letting Star rip into him.

---