Page 14 of Cursed Beasts

I was usually the first one to gauge the power of the other, but with her, it didn’t even cross my mind. Just the thought made me realize something was wrong. She had an agenda, her family had a plan and now I was very certain of it.

Lucien walked into the dining room, looking distracted and not in a good way. His expression was almost dreamy, making me feel a little jealous.

“Did she say anything?”

“Nothing useful, but she didn’t complain like the others when we walked in.” He looked pensive. “She didn’t open the door like the others.”

“Excuse me?” I asked in a little shock.

“She didn’t open the door and I’m sure she was having some sort of episode. Her heart was beating erratically, her breathing was shallow.” He rubbed his mouth like he was confused.

“You think she is trying to manipulate us?” Zev growled.

“I don’t know, it seemed real,” Lucien said, pacing along the windows. “I don’t know how she would make her heartbeat that quickly, like she was afraid.”

“I don’t know how I feel about this,” I said, hating that I couldn’t get a good read on what was going on. I was usually spot on with my assumptions of these Belladonna women, but with her, she had thrown me off my axis. My gut feeling was always right and when I needed it the most, it was nowhere to be found.

“I think we need to make sure she is aware of how this is going to go,” Zev said, crossing his arms across his chest. “It wouldn’t hurt to have her scared.”

“I’ll go get the rope,” Lucien said with a wicked grin, making me feel better. I was getting worried he might go soft on her after he looked lost in thought when he returned from her room.

“I think some fear will do her some good,” I growled, feeling like we might be getting back some control.

“I think so.” Zev grinned.

The chime of the clock gave us a warning that it was almost four in the morning.

“So, we have a plan,” I said, getting excited to show the Belladonna who was in charge.

* * *

I had never been sofull of energy before today. I knew it was going to be perfect. I finished getting dressed, making my way down to the landing of the stairs, where we said we would meet. Lucien was already waiting for us, looking up towards her bedroom.

He seemed to be significantly more interested in this woman than he had been in all the ones before her put together. I wonder if he had felt something too when we had completed the spell last night?

“How are you feeling?” I asked, hoping to get his attention away from her.

“Tired,” he said, still looking towards her room. “I think I dreamed of her last night. Or my imagination was coming up with some intense daydreams.”

“Dreams?”

“Yeah, I forgot what those have felt like,” he said, looking back at me with a solemn expression.

I didn’t know what to do when he had that sad expression on his gorgeous face, but I pulled him in for a hug. I really needed the connection and the feel of him to ease my own worry. I nuzzled against his neck, and felt at peace, if only for a moment.

“They were of her, and we were uh—” He pulled away from me with his cheeks red with embarrassment. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his naivety, and his lack of experience.

“You dreamed you had sex with her?”

He gave me a look like he wanted to hurt me, but I was enjoying this way too much.

“Look, I’m—”

“Everyone, ready?” Zev walked towards us.

“We are ready,” I said, leading the way, taking a glance back at Lucien to make sure he was ok.

He narrowed his eyes at me, and I wondered how much I had to push for him to snap. It had been a while since we had wrestled, and I had been itching for a good romp.

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