It took everything she had not to slumpagainst the stand behind her as the pouch slung over her shouldersuddenly felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds. She’d bought ahealingpotion. If any of them asked what was in the pouchor demanded to see it, she had no idea what she would say.
Sahira easily could have made what the pouchcontained; why would she come to the market to purchase it? Hermind spun as she tried to come up with some plausible answer, butthe only thing she could come up with was that Sahira was out ofthe ingredients and they had a sick animal at home.
It was flimsy at best and easy enough todisprove, but it might be enough to get her out of here and back tothe manor. She’d have to tell Sahira about it then, but she’d worryabout thatifthe time came.
Why had she decided this would be a goodidea?
She almost clutched the pouch against herchest, but it would only draw attention, so she restrained herselffrom doing so.
She glanced around for an escape. However,there was nowhere for her to go. She couldn’t exactly run awaywithout making them a little curious.
So, she had to stand here and try not to looklike a cornered rabbit surrounded by powerful men who would turnagainst her if they learned what she’d done.
And if she managed to get out of this, shehad to go home, give Orin the potion, and get himoutof hertunnels before she put Sahira in jeopardy. No, she’d already donethat with her reckless actions. Now, she had to fix it.
“Then, if you happen across Orin, you’ll letus know,” Malakai said.
“I’ll bring him in myself,” Cole replied.
Lexi tried not to wince at the harshness ofthose words. Cole was talking about hisbrother. They’dopposed each other, but how could he be so callous about hisbrother?
Because he’s a dark fae.
No, it was more than that. He was animmortal,and many of them weren’t known for their kindness;Malakai and his pack of lycan proved that. She didn’t belong hereamid these ruthless, coldblooded men, but she’d inadvertentlyinserted herself in the middle of this awful mess.
“I’m sure you will,” Malakai said beforeturning to her. “I’ll see you soon, Elexiandra.”
The look in his eyes made her blood run cold.He would come to her manor soon. Lexi didn’t reply as Malakaiwalked away with the lycan following him.
Gradually, the marketplace came alive aroundthem again. With the Lord’s men out of the way, people andimmortals resumed their day while she and Cole remained standing bythe woman’s food stand.
Then Cole turned toward her, and she saw thesteely gleam in his eyes. She forced herself not to gulp as sheconsidered what he would do if he learned she was harboring hisfugitive brother, a man he would hand over for execution.
“How do you know Malakai?” Cole asked.
How did she answer that question?
He’s the bane of my existence.Hethinks he’s going to marry me, and I’m terrified he’ll find a wayto succeed.
For some reason, Malakai believed she was hisconsort, or maybe he didn’t. Maybe he saw her as something to ownand not as his fated one. The more she considered it, the more shebelieved that was more likely. He saw her as an accessory and nothis consort.
Besides, she’d heard that when any vampirefound their consort in another vampire, it was a mutualrealization. If she was Malakai’s consort, wouldn’t she feel ittoo? And she most certainlydid not.
But then again, probably not. She couldn’ttransport like vampires, she walked freely in the sun, and shewasn’t as strong as them. She was only half vampire, and that mightmake it impossible to feel the pull of the consort bond.
However, she didn’t tell Cole any of thesethings because this man didnotcare about her problems.Instead, she simply said, “He’s my neighbor.”
“I see,” he murmured, but his attentionremained on the direction Malakai went.
“I have to go,” she said and gave a subtletug on her arm.
Seeming to recall he was still holding herarm, his thumb stroked her skin. A fiery tendril of heat worked itsway out from where he touched her. It spread through her belly andinto her legs until her knees almost gave out.
This was a deadly game she played with him.However, she couldn’t bring herself to pull her arm away, and whenhe stepped closer, she didn’t move.
He could learn the truth of what she’d donewith his brother and destroy her for being a traitor withoutbreaking a sweat, but she didn’t care.
No one had ever made her feel this alive, andnow that he was awakening her to the wonder of his touch, shecraved more of it. She gulped and tipped her head back to meet hispiercing blue eyes. He held her gaze while he caressed her skin inslow, tantalizing circles that made her mouth go dry and her heartrace.
