Page 82 of Maleen

Jesper groans in annoyance—he was hoping to shed some blood sooner rather than later, and I definitely am with Jesper this time.

Talyn sighs, forcing his shoulders to relax. “Come on Evera. You know he messed with my mind to hate you right? I can’t help it.”

She gasps. “But he and my father have a deal. There’s no way he would compromise it. He needs what my father has.”

He rests his arm above his head on the bars, frowning. “And what does your father have that would force us to marry?”

She rolls her eyes this time, completely forgetting that Jesper and I are here. Her sole focus is directly on Talyn. “Because of power, obviously. My father is securing my future, making sure I’m with the most powerful male in Damorleia, all in exchange for some stupid red rock. The only way he will get it is if we are mated and with fledgling.”

The three of us freeze at the mention of a red rock.

“Red rock?” Talyn asks hesitantly.

Did this female’s father somehow get his hands on a piece of the Soul Stone? Why not just take it from him and forget about an agreement? Craven definitely has the resources for it.

She shrugs, slinking closer to him until the chains pull taut and she hisses from the pain, remembering where she is. “I’m not telling you any more until you get me out of here!”

Jesper claps Talyn on the shoulder. “Looks like your time is up.” He pulls out a wicked looking blade and grins manically. “I think it’s time we try this the fun way.”

Talyn pulls me into his side, ignoring the shrieks coming from within the cell. “Thank the fucking Fates, because if I had to pretend to be nice to her for one more moment, I would have needed to take a tonic to cure me of whatever infection I would have received from listening to her speak,” he mutters into my ear, making me chuckle.

Nero’s caw is the only warning I get before he lands on my shoulder, panting. “I made it just in time!”

I giggle, scratching his head. “Glad to have you back. You ready?”

“Born ready!”

I touch the ground and coax the earth to surround her feet, and in moments the stone flooring has swallowed her boots, keeping her firmly in place. Next, a chair made of stone appears, forcing her to sit, and stone restraints that encircle her wrists to keep her completely at our mercy.

Jesper opens the cell and gestures for me to enter, and just as I’m about to, he pulls me in and whispers. “After this is done, and you’re covered in the blood of our enemies, I will take you against the wall and make sure you forget everything but how my name tastes on your lips.” He kisses me and sends me into the cell with a smack on my ass.

All the nerves I was feeling are replaced with excitement for later. I turn toward the bitch who made my life at Phixmery like living in the void. Who hurt and continues to try to hurt my mate. Who tried to have me killed by going after my familiar. All the anger I’ve suppressed from trying to keep it together finally boils over and a strange sense of calm overtakes me.

The hilt of my blade finds my hand as I pull the dagger out of its sheath. Jesper and Talyn enter the cell a moment later. The latter stands against the furthest wall while Jesper prowls around Evera and I like he’s sizing up his prey.

I grin at her and she smiles back at me, but I know she’s scared—the slight tremor in her hands gives her away. “So, you can either tell us everything you know about Lord Craven and I’ll end you quickly, or we can do it ‘the fun way’ as Jesper would say.” I lean in and whisper. “I really hope you choose the fun way, because I would love to pay you back for hurting my mate and my familiar.”

“You don’t have it in you to—”

I stab my blade into the base of her pinky finger and sever it completely. “I don’t have it in me to what?” I ask sweetly.

She stares at her hand in horror as I remove the blade from the stone and her finger falls to the floor. She screams, and I can’t help the satisfaction I feel.

I slip into her mind and stop the pathetic wails that pour from her lips. I grin. “Shall I ask the question again or do you remember?”

“Go to the void,” she mutters with a pout. “He will kill anyone who betrays him.” Her body shakes from the shock.

“News flash, Evera. You’re dying anyway—the longer you don’t cooperate, the slower and more painful your death will be. Not that I mind if this drags out…” I let the tip of my blade run down her face, watching in morbid fascination as her blood mixes with her tears.

I dive back into her head, searching for fears. I could try to find the answers this way, but I want my revenge first. Ugh—I straighten in disgust as I realize her only fear is not pleasing her father or the males in her life.

Flames roar to life in my hand with the help of the nearby sconce, and I hold the fire near her face. “I’m getting tired, Evera,” I sigh. “Shall I pay you back for what you did to Talyn? I think scars would look good on your face. What do you think, Talyn? Jesper?”

Talyn pushes himself off the bars and makes his way over to me, kissing me deeply. “The honor is yours. My greatest revenge is showing her who I truly belong to.”

My heart melts and I turn my head toward Jesper as Talyn makes his way back to his spot.

“I say do whatever makes you happy, Temptress,” he purrs.