“Come, my darling, it’s time,” Brianna urged.
My head lolled forward as someone dragged me to my feet and threw me over a broad shoulder. They carried me through an open door and down a thickly carpeted corridor.
“Kenji!” If my familiar didn’t get here soon, it might be too late.
“Goddess, what did I do to deserve such a pain-in-the-ass witch?”
I choked while promising myself that, the minute I escaped this predicament, I would apply for a new familiar. One concerned about my safety.
We descended a steep staircase. With every step, my stomach lurched. And with my dress hiked up around my hips, anyone who cared to look would have a stellar view of my ass.
Where were my males?
Even though they were all capable of defending themselves, I worried about them. There were likely dozens of highly trained mages working for Tiberius Vane. If they used dark magic enchantments, my beloved mates might end up hurt or worse.
I tried reaching out to them again, but the bonds remained silent as a grave. At least they were still alive.
Kai’s capture by the sea witch had been a painful lesson in what happened when a mate bond frayed.
“Put her over there,” Tiberius ordered before the male carrying me unceremoniously dumped my ass on a fur rug. This time, thank the goddess, I had a better view of the room. A tall woman with lustrous red hair stood waiting by a door on the far side.
My assessment earlier had been correct: this was Brianna Vane, leader of the Nightshade Coven.
When my gaze swiveled to my left, I spotted Alaric. Thick ice encased his legs, effectively immobilizing him, and his eyes were closed.
Goddess, he’d end up with frostbite if someone didn’t release him soon.
My magic surged forward again, eager to help my mate. This time, the enchantment locking me in place failed to stop the heat from spreading. As Tiberius and his evil bitch of a wife, who had successfully knocked the mer queen off the number one spot for the Worst Mother-In-Law Ever, talked in low voices, the ice around Alaric slowly melted.
Water spread, soaking the thick white pelt under me. I pushed harder, desperate to free Alaric before his parents noticed, but before I could complete the task, Tiberius turned to check on us.
“Well, well. This is interesting.” He chuckled with amusement.
Brianna the bitch pursed her lips. “She’s more powerful than I expected. We’d better speed things up before she frees herself.”
Tiberius flicked his fingers, refreezing the ice that locked Alaric in place. This time it spread to encompass his entire torso, leaving only his head free.
My storm mage showed no reaction. He’d checked out.
Once his parents turned their backs on us, I tried testing the strength of the magic holding me. I could move a fraction, but not enough to do anything useful.
“Dammit, Kenji, now would be good!”
“Five minutes.”
“We don’t have five minutes!”
“Three, then.”
“Sir, there’s been a disturbance on the perimeter,” a male voice said from behind me. “It appears the witch’s consorts are trying to get past the wards.”
Tiberius huffed crossly.
“Send the guards. Kill the bear if you have to, but bring me the incubus alive. I can use him.”
“And the other one?”
“The merman? Kill him. Laryssa won’t care.”
