Maverick set his empty glass on a passingtray, but for the first time, he didn’t grab a fresh one.
“Silence!” the Lord roared.
The musicians did their best to quiet theirinstruments immediately. One of them sobbed with relief as sheslumped forward. When the Lord’s narrowed eyes swung toward her,the woman realized she’d drawn his attention and sat up in herchair.
The blood dripping from her fingers made asoft plop on the floor that was too loud in the hushed room. Lexiwasn’t sure any of the immortals dared to breathe. She didn’t untilher lungs burned, and then she barely sucked in a breath.
“I’m so glad everyone is enjoying thecelebration!” the Lord declared. “It’s what I envisioned when Iplanned this.”
Either the man was delusional and trulybelieved everyone was having fun, or he was fucking with them evenmore. He was so twisted she couldn’t decide which it was.
“It’s time for more dancing!”
Lexi gulped as the musicians all visiblypaled. One looked about to say something, but then he clamped histrembling lips together.
“Music!” the Lord declared and clapped hishands. “Everyone, dance!”
The last thing Lexi—and she suspectedeveryone else in this room—felt like doing was dancing. But shetook Cole’s hand, and he spun her around before drawing her intohis arms.
Maverick grasped a witch and gave her a smalldip as the music started again. All around Lexi, immortals movedlike wooden figurines as they marched more than danced to themusic.
No one pretended to laugh anymore, and thefew remaining smiles reminded Lexi of the Joker’s painted on one.When the Lord beckoned to someone, the hair on Lexi’s nape rose asMalakai emerged from the crowd and ascended the stairs to speakwith the madman.
Turning away from the Lord and Malakai, Lexirested her head on Cole’s chest. She listened to the soothing,reassuring beat of his heart as she tried to ignore the ache in herfeet and exhaustion creeping over her.
No matter how tired she got, she had to keepher shield in place. She couldn’t allow it to come down here, withall the moonlight spilling through the windows behind the guardsand the stained glass in the ceiling.
How long did the Lord plan to make them dancelike this? Until they all dropped? What would he do to the firstones who went down?
She tried not to think about it, but themusicians would probably give out before anyone else. When thathappened, there was no way she would stand by and watch the Lordpunish them after torturing them like this.
She already hated herself for not interveningnow. She hatedallof this.
Cole’s hand flattened against her back whenthe Lord gave a loud clap and declared. “It’s time to switchpartners!”
CHAPTER 51
Cole remained unmoving when the Lordannounced this. His eyes met the burning red ones of thefuckeron the throne while he strained to contain the lycanand shadows seeking to break free of him.
He couldn’t stomach the idea of parting fromLexi and allowingothersto touch her.
“Everyone must switch!” the Lord commanded;he never took his eyes from Cole’s. “It’s more fun that way.”
Lexi’s fingers dug into his back before shereleased him and started to step away. She didn’t get far before hepulled her back. The Lord was angling to put her and Malakaitogether, and he would not allow it.
“Cole,” she whispered as she tried to pullaway. “Cole, he’s testing you.”
She was right, but his hands remained lockedon her. “I don’t care.”
When she rested her hand on his cheek andnudged his face toward her, he finally looked away from the Lord.He focused on the beautiful green of her eyes and the distress inthem.
“We have to do this,” she whispered.
“I’ll take her, nephew,” Maverick said andextended one of his large hands toward them.
The lycan inside him stirred, and its hackleswent up. His fangs elongated as his knuckles popped and the bonesin his hands shifted toward the change. He’d rather have her withMaverick than Malakai, but he couldn’t let her go.
“It’s okay,” Lexi assured him. “I’ll stayclose to you.”
