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She eyed the expanse of concrete as though it might rear up and swallow her.

“Don’t get caught,”Liam whispered in her mind.

It was far too late for running. Alex was trapped in the bone-snapping snare of the powerful clan leader with no escape in sight. She bit the inside of her cheek, sitting beside him while taking his measure.

The silver-haired leader had an otherworldly air about him. His build was tall and lean, without the bulky muscle his guard favored. For some reason, his lethal elegance seemed twice as deadly.

There was no hint of his age in the sophisticated contours of his face, but his steel-gray eyes told a different story. Hidden within their depths was an ancient soul. One that had witnessed and done things that were probably unfathomable. He studied her with an alarming intensity. Not as a person. More like a curiosity, something to be dissected.

“Your, uh, orchids...” Were those thorns she saw on their slender stems? “They’re stunning.” And maybe a little carnivorous.

“Thank you. I’ve propagated a great number of them myself. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’ve brought you here to discuss more serious matters.”

Her heart pounded. Great. This was the part where he clapped her in chains and hauled her off to the Council.

“I understand you’re a sympath.”

She swallowed before answering. “That’s right.”

“Strange, but I checked the Council’s registry and found no record of you. Seems Liam was remiss in reporting your existence to them. A punishable offense, to be sure.”

Blood washed from her cooling cheeks, and she darted a glance at Jericho. He watched them with an air of detachment, though his jaw tightened. She had little doubt the glimpse of concern was for his friend and not her.

Fair enough, she was worried about Liam as well. If not for her, Liam wouldn’t be in this position. She owed it to him to see him clear of the charges.

From the moment she opened her eyes in Claymore’s medical facility, she’d known this would be the outcome. For hours she’d considered option after option, abandoning all but one.

She forced her confession past her tightening throat, signing her own death warrant. “Liam didn’t report me because I used my ability on him. First, I manipulated his emotions, making him think he was in love with me. Then, any time he talked about turning me in, I flooded him with fear so great it left him crippled. Liam is innocent. He was in my thrall the entire time.”

Though it pained her to do so, she dragged her gaze to Jericho’s. “Guess I’m everything you expected me to be.” That mask of indifference was gone. He didn’t even attempt to hide the rage boiling inside of him. Whywouldn’the believe her? She’d just confirmed all his suspicions about her.

While Jericho swallowed every lie as if it was the truth, it was Victor who arched a suspicious brow. “Fascinating. Your gift is strong enough to control a centuries-old vampire? Not even I had so much sway over the male. I find it interesting you were able to affect him so easily when a faerie’s gift does not work on one of their own. With Liam feeding regularly from you, he would have been immune to your thrall, unless he invited your manipulations?”

“What can I say?” She fought to keep the quiver from her voice. “I’m that good.”

His steely eyes turned calculating. “Before I send such a dangerous creature to the Council, I believe it’s my duty to evaluate your ability.”

She gripped the fabric of her slacks and swallowed. “Liam was my only…victim. I’m no threat to you or anyone else. I swear it.”

“Give me your hand, child.” Victor extended his palm, firm tone relaying this wasn’t open for discussion.

Jericho folded his arms, demanding, “Do it, Alex.”

She’d heard rumors the clan leader’s abilities stretched far beyond what was typical for a vampire. Some of the Howlers’ regulars theorized it was from all the powerful beings he’d sucked dry throughout his long life. The very thought of touching him had her stomach turning somersaults.

For Liam.“Very well,” she whispered and took his hand.

Immediately, sparks prickled down her spine. Victor prodded her mental barriers.You’ve got this. Keep your guard up.For the span of a heartbeat, she was confident in her ability to block him. Then his eyes turned metallic silver. The prickling increased, and the base of her skull vibrated. Vampires were notorious for their rigid mental shields. It was one of the reasons she’d been so comfortable at Howlers. Not only was Victor not shielding, but he was hammering his way through her defenses.

Static filled her head. It grew louder and louder. Roaring.

Overload.

Her walls cracked. Shattered. Psychic energy rolled over her in a flood, crashing through her defenses. Victor seeped into every part of her mind. Everywhere.Inside of me.No. No. No. This was too invasive. Intimate.

Fingers of panic squeezed her heart. Out! She needed him out. But how? He attacked her with not one or two emotions but all of them, centuries worth, all at once.

Stronger. Louder. Her body ached from the strain. Her temples pounded.