Page 103 of Deceived

“She’s your fated mate. I’m certain you know since you’ve spent so much time together. She’s all of your mates.”

“What?” I ask, dumbfounded. How could he possibly know this?

Felix and Griffyn shoot me accusing eyes. I glare back. I didn’t tell anyone,for her!

“I’ve seen her future through a seer.” My father adjusts his grip on Anna so the dagger is right against her heart.

“The seer told you I’m her mate? That’s not possible,” I say.

Joka throws his head back and laughs. “I always knew you’d be a disappointment, but protecting a vampire with lies? It’s disgusting. You will mate a dark fae and have a child I can mold into my heir instead of you.”

“Done. I’ll do it. Just let her go,” I beg, leaving all pretense behind.

He knows the truth, but I can still give him what he wants.

“No, my son. The future is very clear, if she is alive, you will end up together.”

“Enough!” Felix shouts. “Release my mate! You can’t just murder someone. You’re a council member.”

Joka smirks. “That only means I can do whatever I want without repercussions. The only one here leaving tonight is my son. I have use of him. You will be nothing with your mate dead anyways.”

His voice is so callous.

“Why bring us all here if you only wanted Anna and Aksel,” Felix asks, voice deadly calm.

“Don’t be naive boy, I know you all would have avenged her death. Better to take care of you in one fell swoop. Cleaner that way. I do have a reputation to uphold.”

Felix tugs against his binds like a crazy person. Blaze never stopped.

“You can’t do this,” Griffyn tries, but my elitist father ignores him completely, seeing the incubus as below him.

I rack my brain for any plan or opportunity. I can’t let him do this. Things will not end this way. Anna’s life will not end this way.

I’m nothing without her. She has wormed her way into every inch of my soul and I’ll be dead if she is. I have to try.

“Dad, please. Let her live and I will do whatever you want. You can have anything from me. Choose my bride, take my firstborn, anything!”

He stares at me, contemplating my offer. My heart crushes when he shakes his head.

“I believe you, son, I do, but she has to die.”

“If you kill her, I will kill you!” Felix swears.

Blaze is still tugging away at his chains. If they were any other binding I’m certain his dragon strength could get us out of this. But it won’t.

“You’ll be dead too feline. You can be with her in the afterlife,” Joka says.

Felix snarls.

“I’ll kill you,” I swear. “You need me alive for an heir and I will make it my mission to kill you for this. You won’t get a son from me.”

“You try to kill me and you’re dead next. You’ve become a public figure as my son, but don’t think I can’t stage a public accident and have you dead. I want you alive, but I could always have another son myself. Perhaps that would be easier if you’re already so attached to the blasted vampire.”

I’m running out of time. I can feel it.

Anna doesn’t even twitch in his arms.

“What did you do to her?” I ask.

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