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“Well, I knew the dragon family name was Draco. We were ridiculously poor, but there was always beer money, apparently. Practically every night, my father would get drunk and bitch about the Dracos who wrecked our life,” Spencergrumbled.
“You’d think he’d hate the sorceress too,” Imurmured.
“Oh, he did, but he told me her line died with her. She lost her magic and never knew love. That was the story passed down to each generation.” He grinned. “So, I only had to punish the dragons. I’ve actually been plotting this since I was ateenager.”
I frowned. “We’re talking twenty years of plotting, right? That’s a lot of hatred, even for you,Spencer.”
“Well, I don’t see it that way. I researched trying to figure out the best way to stick it to them. The money. It always comes down to the money.” Hechuckled.
“So, why kill the dragons?” I tilted my head as if I was really interested and considering his response. In truth, I was testing the strength of these zip ties. Sadly, they seemedsolid.
“I’m not. I’m killing the men to end the dragons.” His shoulders heaved and I could feel his relief as he shared. “See, defeating the dragons is impossible, but these men? They’re no match forme.”
I scowled. “I can’t believe how you’re justifying allthis.”
“Their lines had to end, just like the sorceress’. I get the money. They die out. Justice is served.” He grinned, but his smile quickly faded. “That brings me to our dealings.” Spencer picked up his chair and dropped it closer to me. Then he sat, leaned over and stared into my eyes. “You have an important decision to make,Peri.”
I yawned. “I’m really sleepy. Today has been especially trying. I don’t suppose you’d consider letting me have tonight to sleep on it.” I stared at him innocently. Batting my eyelashes was out of the question for the time being. Since I probably looked like Quasimodo, it wouldn’t have the same effectanyway.
“No.” He spoke crisply. “I gotta tell you, I’m torn. You’re reallybeautiful.”
“Thank you?” I closed my eyes. The sociopath had a crush on me. Just what Ineeded.
“I think we should get married.” Spencer studied me for areaction.
My eyes popped open. “Why would I marryyou?”
“To live,” heexplained.
“I don’t know, Spencer. I feel pretty good about my chances of survival because you want to live. If I die, you’ll be dealing with one pissed off dragon,” I remindedhim.
“To not go to prison then.” Heshrugged.
“Sorry. We already covered this at the station. They have no evidence tying me to the crimes.” I shook my head. “Not buyingit.”
“Well, they could.” Spencer chuckled as he stood and wandered over to the mantle. Then, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and carefully turned a bottle around to show me. “This is the cyanide used to kill Devon. While you were passed out, I had your hands all over it.” He set it back on the mantle and used the handkerchief as he lifted a fancy goblet that seemed to resemble the ones from the dinner. “And they never found this, but I could make sure they get it. Devon’s lip marks and your fingerprints: pretty damning evidence.” Hegloated.
“Yeah, I don’t think so. The police saw me leave with you. I still think they’ll guess it has been fabricated. There’s no prison in my future.” My good brow shot up inchallenge.
When he saw my reaction, he pulled out the one reason I would actually give in and marry him. “Ah, but what wouldn’t you do to saveMishal?”
My head hung. There would always be that. I cared little about my fate, but if anything happened to Mishal, already I knew I’d be destroyed. The burning pain in my gut responded to thoughts of him, and simply hearing his name. I’d probably spontaneously combust if anything happened to him. “Why would you want to marry me? Don’t you want a wife who’ll loveyou?”
“In a perfect world, of course.” He grinned. “I believe we’ve already established this world is far from perfect. And if I can’t have love, at least I can have an heiress. Controlling that much money is almost asgood.”
“I’d make you miserable,” I warned. “I’ve proven I’m incredibly skilled at thatalready.”
“Yes, but I’m thinking you’d behave if it ensured I’d never go after Mishal. You’d become the model wife.” He reached out and touched my cheek. “And I’d get to watch Mishal suffer, which is almost as satisfying as seeing himdead.”
A blinding hatred seeped out of me. The audacity of this man, his smug demeanor, and the joy he took in hurting others made me want to lash out. “You’ll burn for this.” I stared into his eyes while rage took hold. Suddenly, I felt ridiculously hot. Steam was practically pouring off me. I pushed my ankles and wrists against the plastic holding me to the chair. The ties melted away about the same time Spencer jumped back and cradled hishand.
“How did you do that?” His eyes widened. “You are a witch,” he accused while carefully planting himself between me and thedoor.
Standing, I scowled. “No, I’m far worse than that.” I inhaled deeply for dramatic effect. “I’m a descendant of Sabine. Her blood still runs throughme.”
He gasped. “Stay away from me.” Spencer reached in his pocket and pulled out hispistol.
“Get out of my way!” I yelled while my eyes locked in on thegun.
