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He continued as though he hadn’t heard her. “When Salvatore died, the formula for my drug was stolen by another. I understand civilians now use it for recreation. They even gave it a catchy name.Black ice,” he sneered. “Do you have any idea how much it pains me to see my work desecrated?”

“I can only imagine.” She feigned sympathy.

He slid his finger along the dagger’s edge, stroking it like a long-lost lover. “I won’t let them do the same with the soul sword. I’d rather die than see it fall into the hands of someone like Zion. When I realized just how close the fire demon was to stealing it for him, I knew I had to act.”

“It was you.” She clutched her hand to her chest. “When Dante had us cornered, it was you who opened that portal, allowing us to escape.”

Alistair cocked a scornful brow, mocking her. “Did you think your lover had the skill to perform such a feat? At the time, I didn’t have enough energy to pull you all the way through to me. Not with several feet of stone in the way.” He held out his arms, every bit the arrogant male she remembered. “I knew if I waited, my patience would be rewarded.”

The confident gleam in his eyes raised the hair on the back of her neck. Whatever it was he was planning, he already believed he’d won. “Now what? If you intend to make me your final sacrifice, you’ll find me even less receptive than the last time you tried to take my soul.” She wasn’t the weak and battered woman he once held as his captive.

“Initially, that was my intent. Since then, I’ve reconsidered. Thanks to you, I have something far better in mind.” He lifted the candelabra from his work table and carried it across the room. Flickering candlelight illuminated a horrifying scene. Chained on top of the concrete slab where Alistair once tried to murder her was Liam.

“No,” she gasped, stumbling to her mate’s side.

While Alistair lit candles around the space, she took Liam’s face in her hands. “Liam, wake up.”

He groaned, turning his head. His clothing was gone. Now a length of white cloth wrapped his hips. Every inch of his muscular frame was covered in cuts and bruises, and blood trickled from a gash on his forehead. Iron cuffs circled his wrists, and chains bound his ankles, shackling him to the slab. The metal glowed with a dull blue-green light. The mage must have infused the bonds with his own disgusting brand of dark energy.

“What did you do to him?” she snarled, bracing her arms protectively over her mate’s chest.

Alistair turned from lighting the final candle, scowling as though she’d insulted him. “Don’t look at me. You’re the one who delivered him in this condition.”

The avalanche.

“From the looks of him, you should thank me for saving the two of you. Again.” He folded his arms, tone snapping with impatience. “Well, go on. What are you waiting for? Wake him. After all, we wouldn’t want him to miss this.”

Apprehension coursed through her. Alistair wanting Liam awake could only mean bad things. Still, he couldn’t help her out of this mess if he was unconscious. She patted his face. “Liam?” Thick lashes flicked against his cheeks, and he groaned. “That’s right. Wake up.”

He blinked, staring up at her with unfocused eyes, then flexed his arms. “What the…” He eyed the cuffs on his wrists, frowning.

“Easy,mon coeur.” She stroked his chest, quick to give him as much information as she could. “After we were caught in the avalanche, I reached for the dagger. When I touched it, Alistair portaled us to my former mansion. He’s chained you to his table. The metal is mystically reinforced. For as long as Alister’s reserve of energy holds out, they’re unbreakable.”

Twenty-Five

Liam scannedVivian from head to toe, noting the fresh bruise on her cheek. What the hell was she wearing? “You okay? Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, but the damage to her face told him otherwise. That and the stark terror she failed to hide. He’d little doubt the fresh injury to her swollen cheek was Alister’s doing.

Liam kept his eyes locked on Vivian, directing his threat to the shadow lurking in the corner. “Mage, you put your hands on her again, and I’ll pull your fucking liver out through your nose.”

Alistair snorted a laugh. “Threaten me all you like, but I’m quite certain I’ve taken better care of her than you have so far.”

Liam lifted his head off the slab, eyeing the mage. “Nice face. You make out with a blow torch?” He scanned the male with a disdainful eye. “Nothing but a weaselly little bastard, aren’t you? Figured someone who abuses women must be compensating for his tiny dick.”

Alistair ignored the jab. “Apologies if I don’t waste my time exchanging insults with you, for I have much more important things to do.” He reached out, extending the dagger to Vivian. She drew back as though he’d offered her a snake. “Go on. Take it.”

She hesitated, her golden eyes ticking between Alister and the weapon. Shit, she was planning something. Something guaranteed to get her hurt. Liam ground his molars together, fear for his Bride clawing up his throat. “Viv, don’t—”

Before he could finish his objection, Vivian’s hand closed around the hilt, and she lunged, striking at Alistair’s chest. The mage caught her wrist in his glowing palm. Static crackled up her arm, and she convulsed, screaming.

“Vivian,” Liam bellowed. “Let her go, you sick fuck.” With all his might, Liam pulled on his restraints, slicing metal into his wrists. The enchanted cuffs didn’t give.

Alistair released Vivian’s wrist, only to grab a handful of her hair. She grasped his hand, crying out.

The sound of her pain was acid in Liam’s veins. He thrashed in his shackles. “You’re a dead man, mage. A fucking dead man. You hear me?”

Alistair pulled Vivian’s head back, snarling into her upturned face, “Did you really think I’d be stupid enough to fall for your tricks a second time? Tonight, we’re doing things my way.” He shoved her away from him, and she crashed into the altar.