It wasn’t reason that made Evie’s mind conjure up a plan so risky it was borderline mad. A plan Natalya would have dismissed immediately if she had heard it. It wasn’t reason that made Evie brave. It was desperation and that dangerous hope Natalya woke in her all those months ago.
“I can get inside.”
There was quiet again as all of them stared at her. These monsters who ruled night and Sin were stunned into silence by her words. Evie took a deep breath.
“Varro still wants me back. Probably to torture me for betraying him. He made a deal with a human here in Chicago to ensure he’d get me back alive.” The words came out quick and stumbling. If they didn’t come fast, she might not dare say them at all. “If I’m given to him, he’ll let me back into the estate. I can find Natalya and break her free.”
“They’ll enthrall you,” Aleksander said. “You won’t be permitted to do anything other than obey.”
Evie looked from Aleksander to Hasan. Seeing his black eyes locked on hers started a surge of fear she only just managed to suppress. Shaking all over, she stepped closer to him.
“Enthrall me.”
Hasan frowned. “Why?”
His handsome dark features, inspecting her with suspicious interest, summoned a memory. Evie stood up straighter.
“I’ve seen you before. You were at Varro’s estate once.”
He’d been there when Queen Zahra met with Varro. He’d stared daggers at Stefano during the entire meeting. Remembering what had happened after, Evie looked at the floor.
“Varro offered me to you. You refused.”
Hasan seemed to consider a moment, then he nodded in acknowledgment.
“I remember you. You had redder hair then.”
“Varro preferred it like that.”
“I see.” Hasan’s expression softened. He glanced at the spot on her ribs where her tattoo was. “You are resistant to enthrallment, as I recall.”
“I am. But Natalya thinks I’m more than just resistant. So please. Enthrall me.”
Hasan looked at her oddly. Like he didn’t understand exactly what she was asking. Hesitating, he looked to Aleksander, who gave him a small nod.
“May I touch you? Enthrallment goes easier that way,” Hasan said.
Fear rose in her again, bright and fast. She’d been enthralled at Varro’s estate many times, though only by Varro and Stefano. They were the only ones powerful enough to do it.
She forced down the terror and nodded, stepping closer to Hasan.
Hasan raised his hand, cupping her cheek. His black eyes found hers, piercing and hard, and they became her entire focus. Her entire world.
It’snotreal.
She focused on that. Just that. There was nothing true about this. It was all fake. It was all just conjured in her mind.
There was a pressure in her head. Like she was deep underwater and the weight of it was pushing down on her from above. An influence that wanted to get in. Wanted to seize her. She wouldn’t let it.
“Obey me,” Hasan said. “Go sit on the couch.”
There was a pull to the words, nudging her body to follow the order. It was faint. Easily ignored.
“No,” she said. Hasan narrowed his eyes, and his grip tensed.
“Go sit on the couch.”
The nudging feeling was still there. It was the pressure of an elastic band pulling her rather than a leash. It tried to make her obey, but it was only a light pressure. One she could stand against.
