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Rage. Apoplectic rage.

So much rage. Enough to kill an army ten times over.

Beneath my sorrow and horror, I can sense the same determination that helped him fell kingdoms.

I am coming,he says again, but his voice is entirely different. Cold. Wrathful.They’ll pay.

“Leave us.” Lia says, dismissing the group of supernaturals without tearing her eyes from me.

The six individuals release their hands and wordlessly file out of the room. There’s not a single sound except for my ragged sobs, and I think I might hate these supernaturals as much as I do Lia. They cannot all be as evil as she is, yet they participated in such an act.

Maybe they’re bonded just as I am.

The thought draws another ragged cry out of me.

Once the door clicks shut behind them, Lia’s magical hold on me loosens. Without it pinning me in place, I sink off the chair and onto the cold concrete floor.

My cries trail off, but I’m now heaving in breaths as I bow my head.

Lia steps up to me. I can see the pointed tips of her heels.

“My, my, youarea powerful witch. No one warned me about that. They all said you were weak,forgetful. An easy target but a poor asset.” She taps the toe of one of her shoes against the bare floor. “And what is this?” She looks at me, but her eyesare unfocused. She tilts her head. “Another bond?” She frowns. “Twobonds?”

The fact that she can senseanybonds besides hers is horrifying.

She takes me by the jaw and tilts my head up. “I cannot allow them to exist.” There’s a gleeful gleam in her eyes. “That would complicate things. Your first true task once I release you tonight will be to sever each of those bonds the first chance you get.”

I press a hand to my sternum as her malevolent power digs in, and I begin to heave, over and over, as it forces its intentions upon me.

Memnon could survive such an assault, but sweet, cranky Nero, who’s waiting for me even now…

I heave again.

No, no, no.

Plum-colored magic spills from Lia, giving her an ominous backdrop. “Let’s go over the basics. You willneverharm me,” she commands, the order slipping straight down the bond and into me. “You will do everything in your power to protect and serve me.”

My fingers dig into the skin over my sternum. I canfeelLia in me just as I can Memnon. But where Memnon’s magical presence is familiar and comforting, Lia’s magical imprint feels like a violation.

She comes over to me then and places a hand on my head. I want to knock it away, but one of her commands activates and stops me.

I grind my teeth together, my body bowed beneath her touch.

Her deep purple magic trickles over me, then into me, and I’m powerless to stop it. But as it slips down my throat and into my body, I feel it driving out the effects of the drug in my system. I can feel my own magic swarm me again, and my control over it sharpens.

“I imagine that feels better, doesn’t it?” she asks from above me.

I press my lips together.

“Answer me.”

“Yes,” I hiss out.

Her hand slides from my head. “Why don’t we have a demonstration of what it means to be bonded to me?”

I hear the click of her heels as she moves away from me.

“Bow to me.”