I imagine Nyx and Twyx bursting from the walls like shadows made flesh, ripping and tearing them apart. I push down the fantasy. There are too many of them and I have no magic.
“Protection,” I say instead, keeping my tone measured. “Men are turning into beasts, imagine the cost of losing one of your girls.”
Her expression doesn’t flicker. She doesn’t care. No surprise there, but I had to try.
“More important,” I continue, trying to sweeten my voice into a purr. “It’s a favor. The mage being brought here is the strongest of his kind. He’s the only mage bonded to a dragon.”
I grin wickedly as Arella perks up.
“He is extremely powerful. You wouldn’t be able to take him down. I have. And I’m offering to keep him in line…in return for information.”
She hesitates, unsure if I’m telling the truth.
But she’s tempted.
I don’t actually believe I can contain Cage once he wakes up. His tantrum will level this room. Hopefully I’ll have what I need before he explodes. Because I can already hear it now.
You stabbed me, tried to force a bond on me, now you knock me out and try to give me away for slave work ...
Gods, men are so dramatic. I internally roll my eyes.
The doors open and her enthralled guards march in, dragging an unconscious Cage between them.
Shit. Guess I hit him harder than I thought.Good.
I meander over, flicking my hand in a dramatic wave above his limp form.
“He is very handsome, right? And yes, strong.”
Arella rises, finally lifting her feet from the kneeling man beneath her. She descends her steps like a queen, fixing her eyes on Cage like he’s a jewel.
I grab the hem of his shirt and pull it up, revealing the arcane marks on his chest. “They run up his neck, and down his arms.”
Arella licks her lips at the greed gleaming in her eyes. “How marvelous.”
She reaches for him just as he stirs.
Showtime.
I drop his shirt and step back.
Cage’s eyes flicker open, blinking rapidly as he adjusts to the light in the room and the sight of a woman standing over him like he’s prey.
“What the fuck…?” he mutters, disoriented.
Arella doesn’t waste a breath. I sense her magic surge; it’s subtlety and insidiousness creeping toward him.
Cage drops his gaze instantly, avoiding hers. His magic answers with a roar. The air shifts, dominating the space.
“See? Told you. He’s moody,” I say with a grin, completely unconcerned by the spike in danger. “If I were you, I’d tag me in now. Let’s make ourselves a deal before he kills everyone.”
Checkmate, bitch.
Cage explodes into motion, hurling both guards who hold his arms across the room. They crash into the sofas, sending furniture screeching and tumbling across the floor.
“Get him! Hold him!” Arella shrieks.
More of her enthralled men rush forward. Several of her girls rise, their gazes sharpened on Cage in an attempt to force compulsion.
