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He leans in close. “Now, enchantress, you and your mate had a little game you used to play—Truth or Dare. Why don’t we have a go at it?”

My upper lip is curling.

This is our little game—and trust me, enchantress, it’s far from over.

“So, Truth … or Dare?” he asks, his strange, empty eyes glittering.

“Neither.”

“I’m afraid that’s not an option,” he says. “Why don’t we start with a simple dare: touch me.”

“No.”

The Thief pauses, and then he smiles. It’s only then that I realize he wants my disobedience more than anything else.

He glances at Des. I follow his gaze, unease coiling low in my stomach.

Suddenly, the Night King’s back arches and he begins to shout.

My knees nearly buckle at the sound.

So much pain.I can feel echoes of it through our bond.

“Stop,” I whisper.

The Thief ignores me, and Des continues to shout, his eyes sightless. The sound closes up my throat.

“Stop!”

Still, no reaction.

I swallow down my disgust and my anger. I imagine for a moment that I am Des, that I am dark and untouchable and nothing can ever hurt me.

I gaze up at the Thief. In all my life, I’ve never hungered for someone’s death so badly. But instead of delivering death, I lift a hand and cradle the side of the Thief’s face.

And still Des’s cries carry on.

The Thief’s eyes slide to mine. “More,” he commands. I can see the thrill in his eyes.

There are so many ways to control a person, but blackmail is, perhaps, the worst of them all.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and force myself to drown out my mate’s horrifying shouts. I guide the Thief’s face to mine. Very softly, I brush my lips against his.

I can taste the barest hint of the Thief’s dark magic. It reminds me of all those other kisses he forced on me.

We’re simply picking up where we left off.

When Des’s shouts finally quiet, I drop my hand and end the kiss.

The Thief smiles at me. “I think I’m going to like this game very, very much.”

Going to gut him for this.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Callie. You’ll learn to love it—or live with it. Because youwilllive. After all, that was part of your mate’s bargain.”

What?

“Des made a bargain with you?” My heart stutters. I glance over at my mate, his face placid.