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According to vampire law, he had complete control over her. Betrayal scraped through her throat and plummeted into her stomach. How could Liam have done this? Not only was she another vampire’sproperty, but she couldn’t help Liam.

She jerked her arm out of Jericho’s grip, glaring through hot tears. “Return me to him.”

Jericho stepped back, shaking his head.

“You did it before,” she said in a rush. “Liam believed he was dying, but he survived. Just do your vampirehocus-pocusand bind me to Liam. No harm done.”

Jericho paced a tight circle, rubbing his face, his composure cracking. “Didn’t Liam explain any of this to you?”

Alex pursed her lips. No, no, he hadn’t, as a matter of fact. In typical Liam style, he’d skipped right over the tiny, life-altering detail.

“I don’t needyourconsent, but I do need Liam’s, andheis unconscious.”

That’s right. In the underworld, Chosen were little more than cattle, though Liam had never treated her as such. What did it matter if they had her approval as long as her benefactor agreed? Shit! Jericho, the guy who hated her, was now her benefactor.She flopped her head against the pillow, sending a fiery jolt of pain stabbing through her shoulder.

To her dismay, tears tracked down her cheeks. She dashed them away with her fingertips and sank her teeth into her bottom lip to stop its trembling.

Jericho shifted his weight from one foot to the other, eyes darting everywhere but in her direction. At length, he exhaled a rumbling breath and dropped into the chair next to her bed. “You really do love him, don’t you?”

She clenched her teeth. “Is it so hard to believe?” God, he was a judgmental asshole.

After a moment of silence, she dared to ask, “What happens when Liam wakes?”

“When Liam wakes, I’ll do everything within my power to return you to him.”

She studied Jericho’s expression, finding nothing that reassured her. “What do you mean by everything in your power?”

His head dropped back on his shoulders. “You being a faerie makes things…complicated.” Meaning if the Council decided she was too powerful or dangerous, he’d hand her over to be executed. And yetshewas the evil bitch here.

Tapping sounded at the door, and Doc Randall entered the room. He glanced between them and frowned. “Alex should get some rest in her own bed.” Her face heated at the narrow look he sent her. “I’d like to keep her here at least one more day. After that, she’s free to go.”

Jericho lurched to his feet, no doubt grateful for the interruption. “I’ll return tomorrow.” He turned to her, his demeanor stern and commanding. “Stay here and do what Doc tells you.”

Eye roll. She was all too familiar with this routine.Alex, stay. Good Chosen.She glared daggers at his retreating back, fighting the urge to stick out her tongue. If Jericho believed she’d blindly follow his orders, he was in for a rude awakening.

A soft chuckle snapped her head around.

Doc Randall coughed into his fist, then straightened the cuffs of his rolled sleeves. “Glad that business is out of the way. Now, how about you let me see what kind of mess you made of your bandages while you were exploring the medical facilities?”

Seven

“Your mind is troubled,my old friend.”

“Yes, my liege.” Jericho walked at Victor’s side. Massive palm trees and tropical greenery arched over their heads. Above that, a multitude of glass panes enclosed the domed conservatory. An exotic fragrance perfumed the damp air. Butterflies flitted from flower to flower.

“I imagine this has something to do with Liam.” Victor’s long white hair was contained in a thick braid. As usual, his ageless, patrician profile revealed nothing of what he was feeling. While he strolled with his hands clasped behind his embroidered tunic, his manner relaxed. Jericho knew better than to let his guard down.

Jericho stifled a wince. “Liam is one of many concerns.”

“I understand he is gravely injured.”

“Yes.”

“He’s a fine warrior. Not good at taking direction, but a skilled swordsman all the same. It’s a shame he spent but a handful of years in my army.”

Long before Victor became clan leader, he’d led a small contingent of warriors. Back then, he’d fought side by side with his men. His skill was legendary. When a pair of sell-swords offered him their services, he was quick to accept. At the end of their contract, Jericho stayed on while Liam chose another path.

“You remember the ambush at Sherwood?” Victor asked with a light chuckle.