Dany and I took shifts sleeping. It was hard being restrained to a chair with wolfsbane scorching my skin, but I was able to get a couple of hours in. I’m surprised Soren didn’t come and try to force his blood down my throat.
Surprisingly, when morning came, and Soren greeted us with a shit-eating grin on his face, he took off the wolfsbane-soaked ropes and let us walk to the van without being restrained. We got in the back while Soren and Saul sat up front with Saul taking the wheel. I didn’t see any other shifters around, but I know I heard them earlier. The question is, how many are there? My answer … I have no idea.
Rubbing my sore wrists, I tilt my head to the side so I can see the time. We got in the van at seven-thirty this morning, and it’s already closing in on eleven. I look over at Dany, and she huffs angrily.
“You two okay back there?” Soren calls out.
I scoff. “Oh yeah. We just love being kidnapped.”
“At least we took away the wolfsbane. That should get you in a better mood.”
“Asshole,” I grumble. I can feel Soren poking around in my mind, so I add the next insult silently. “What would get me in a better mood is ripping off your damn head.”
“That biting wit is what I love about you, sunshine.”
“You don’t know what love is.”
Dany elbows me in the side. “Are you seriously letting that bastard in your head?”
I roll my eyes. “Some things needed to be said.”
She folds her arms over her chest and nods at Saul in the front seat. “I don’t care if it’s wiping out every ounce of energy I have, I’m not letting that pea brain in mine.”
“Just wait,” Saul says, sliding a glance at her in the rearview mirror. “You can’t keep me out forever.”
Dany glares at him. “Watch me.”
Not that I’m discounting Dany’s situation, but I honestly think it’d be easier to hate Saul than it is for me to hate Soren. I do loathe him, but we have a history that Dany doesn’t have with Saul. Soren and I were lovers, and we shared many intimate moments. Being betrayed by him struck deep into my heart. My love for Micah has healed me, but it doesn’t change the fact that I was deceived in one of the vilest ways possible.
Dany leans in close, her voice softer than a whisper. “What if my brother changes allegiance?”
Soren and Saul smirk at each other, and my stomach tightens. “Then, we’ll deal with it.”
If Stark falls for the black wolf bitch flaunting her shit in front of him, then I’ll do everything in my power to end her. The allure of the darkness is supposed to tempt you with desire and intrigue. I can see through the lies. The only problem is I can feel it creeping closer, slithering around me, and telling me to give in. It infuriates me.
A few minutes pass, but the anger inside of me continues to fester. “You know, a true mate wouldn’t force the other to take their blood. Kind of the coward’s way out if you ask me.”
Soren chuckles and looks back at me. “Then, what else would you suggest, sunshine? It’d be much easier if you just gave in, but you’re too hardheaded to do that.” He shrugs. “If you don’t come to me willingly, then I have to force you. Giving you my blood is the way to do that.”
A million scenarios race through my mind. If I weigh my options, there’s only one that makes sense. I can already feel the toll Soren’s blood is doing on my body. The darkness is inside of me, and the only way to get it out is to complete the bond with Micah. I don’t want to know what it’ll be like if the Dark Luna wins.
“Fine,” I growl. “I’ll do it your way. If you stop giving me your blood, I’ll come to you of my own free will.”
Dany gasps. “What are you doing? Have you lost your ever-loving mind?”
Soren glances back at me, his gaze narrowed and searching mine. “You’re blocking me out. How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”
Drawing in a lungful of air, I slowly exhale it and lower the wall between us so he can feel the truth in my words. Is it the whole truth? No, but hopefully, it’s enough to get him to believe.
Soren must like what he sees because he smiles at me. “Very well. When we get to our destination, I won’t restrain you.”
“What about Dany?” I ask.
Saul meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. “She has to be willing, too.” He cuts his eyes over to Dany. “If you do that, I promise to make things better for you. Your brother isn’t exactly hating life.”
Snarling, Dany looks away. “What the hell am I getting myself into?” She turns to me, and I nod, wishing I could tell her she’ll get through it, but even I don’t know what the outcome will be. Dany slumps in her seat and clenches her fists so tight I can see the whites of her knuckles. “Fine,” she snaps. “My skin is still fucked from the wolfsbane. I don’t need any more added to it.”
Soren and Saul smile triumphantly at each other, and I wish I could smack the grins off their faces. “How long until we get where we’re going?” I inquire.
Soren peers out the window. “We’re almost there.”
Leaning forward in my seat, I concentrate on the highway and all the signs we pass. I don’t recognize a single city until we encounter a sign that says ‘Colorado Springs’. So we’re headed south … but to where?