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I spin comingface to face with Cassius, my heart leaping into my throat. Displeasure rolls off him in waves and every muscle in his body is taut. I can practically taste his barely restrained ire. I knew he’d be furious when he learned I left without permission, but underestimated just how much.
I turn a glare on Della and hiss, “You promised not to say anything.”
Her head snaps up, eyes flashing. “I said ‘I suppose Icould.’ I never said Iwould to keep quiet.”
Throwing up my hands, I groan.Vampires…
“Don’t do anything stupid, Clara,” Cassius warns with a low growl.
I drop my chin and sigh. “Think about it, Cassius, the only things Icando are stupid. I’m alive only because Elizabeth is using me against Alaric. Otherwise, I would be dead or locked in the dungeon. If I was smart, I would obey her every word.” My hands ball into fists, nails biting into the soft skin. “But that would mean standing by as Alaric is forced into his worst nightmare.”
I take a step back from Cassius and reach for my bag. This won’t help his anger with me, but I have to do this. Alaric needs me. I won’t let anything, or anyone stop me before I even get started.
“Where do you think you are going?” Cassius asks again, each word strained as if it’s taking everything in him not to snap my neck.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m going alone.” I turn an icy glare on Della, directing the last three words at her.
Cassius grips my arm firmly, spinning me toward him, bringing his face within an inch of mine. “Are you insane? I’m not about to let you leave to go traipsing off to demons only know where on your own. You’ll be killed in a matter of days, if not hours.”
I open my mouth to argue then snap it shut because he’s not finished.
“You forget that you are inmycharge. What do you suppose would happen if anyone found out the human I’m supposed to train to behave—the human I’m supposed to oath bind to me—waltzed out of here without so much as a word? Do you care so little about the repercussions your actions have for others?”He looks at me expectedly.
Stunned by his outburst, I can only gape. He has lectured me, snarled, and growled, but I don’t think he’s ever yelled at me like he is now. I thought I knew his anger, but I was wrong.
My throat tightens with guilt.
“Well?” he asks when I don’t answer.
I shake my head, struggling to find words. “Nothing… I don’t know.” My voice sounds hollow. “I didn’t think…”
Cassius releases me suddenly and begins to pace.
“No, Clara, you didn’t think. Because if Elizabeth found out you ran off on your own, she would send her guards after you—not to bring you back but to kill you, leaving your body where you fell for demons and wild beasts to feed on.” He pauses in his pacing to rub his forehead.
Della groans from where she stands against the wall. “Ease off her. She sees your point.”
“No,” Cassius snaps rounding on her. “She is my ward.”
With each word spoken, time slips between my fingers. Desperation claws at my gut, my chest, my throat. He is right, but there is no other way…
“I’m going,” I announce, nearly choking on the overwhelming dread. The two vampires stop bickering to gawk at me. “Elizabeth can send her demons after me. This is the only way to break her compulsion over Alaric.”
Cassius is before me in a flash, eyes pleading. “Clara…”
“Don’t.” I shake my head. Tears spring to my eyes threatening to spill over. “He wouldn’t allow me that fate. I can’t let him suffer. No one deserves to be controlled like that.”
Alaric’s words replay in my mind, and it’s all I can focus on.I can feel my freedom slipping away every day. It’s the one thing I’ve always feared.
“How is it that you think you can break a compulsion spell? Where do you plan to go? What do you plan to do? Do you understand what it means to even attempt to break her hold?”
“He needs me, Cassius.” I blink, and the first tear slides down my cheek—traitorous body. “I won’t let him down. I’m going—with or without you.”
Cassius’s eyes darken. He reaches up and grabs the back of my head with one hand, pulling me forward and swiping my tears away with his sleeve. “Then I will go with you,” he says quietly.
I scrunch up my nose.
“What? I thought you would be happy.”
