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“There’s a shield of sorts, buried deep within his psyche. I’ve never seen anything like it. Whoever placed it there was incredibly powerful. The harder I pushed, the harder it pushed back.”

“What fool would bind a vampire?” Drazen curled his lip. “They’re weaklings. Fast, but inferior to us in every way.”

I had no knowledge of any barrier. Whatever it was the little thief discovered, at least it had kept my secrets out of her clutches. To hide my own pain and confusion, I chuckled, my head lolling on my shoulders. “What’s the matter, pet? Bit off more than you could handle?”

“That’s it. I’ve had about enough of this arrogant bastard.” Drazen snapped his fingers, fire blazing from their tips.

Kronk grasped the infernus’s hand in his large fist, snuffing out the flames. “Brother, you cannot.”

Runa groaned her disappointment. “Kronk is right. Even without his secrets, he’s valuable. Twenty-four hours and we’ll be free of him. Then our debt will be paid. Surely, we can tolerate the arrogant prick for twenty-four hours without killing him.”

Chapter Five

VICTOR

“One more word,and I will gut you like the sniveling swine you are,” Runa snarled against my back. The blade she’d pressed to my kidney dug deeper.

With her generous curves pushing against me, her inner thighs grazing my hips, and her spicy scent plundering my senses, I was beyond distracted. That, combined with the knife play, had many disturbing urges prodding my psyche. The experience was a first for me as I believed myself above such animalistic drives.

“Such charming words falling from honeyed lips. Do you intend to woo me, sweet sorceress?”

“Bleck,” she gagged.

I fought a smile.

“Please know, you are everything I hate most in a mate.”

“How so? You don’t even know me,” I couldn’t resist saying, more intrigued than offended.

“Oh, Iknowyou. Like so many leaders, you’ve used your authority to further your personal agenda instead of serving thepeople. Full of arrogance, you believe the world owes you their loyalty without having earned it. Perhaps you started out with good intentions only to be corrupted by a broken system, falling into a never-ending cycle of lies and deceit. Like the rest, the power you fought so hard to obtain corrupted you.”

“Ouch,” I said, unable to refute her accusations. Despite her blatant disgust for those in authority, I found I didn’t hate sparring with the sorceress. She had a keen mind and sharp wit despite being an inhabitant of this land. My darker side urged me to challenge the opponent it sensed in her.

After a restless night spent beneath Carcerem’s twin moons, my captors had set out before sunset, planning to enter Rottwood, some small backwoods village known for being a criminal stomping ground. Drazen and Kronk rode beside us, one on a horse, the other on a massive bovine, while Runa and I rode together. The sorceress sat behind me, dagger poised, should I attempt to escape.

And I would.

All I waited for was the right moment.

The effect of the submission rods had worn off shortly after sunrise. My injuries from my tumble off the cliff were healing at a rapid rate, far faster than they would have back home. Though I continued to feign weakness.

Given my superior intellect, it was only a matter of time before I escaped. Still, I waited. Why struggle when they were taking me exactly where I needed to go? Into a village where I might find shelter, provisions, and information regarding portals. As a bonus, my bandits were protective of their prize, providing me with the security I needed. Despite their inadequacies, they’d proved surprisingly resourceful.

Again, I allowed my body to list as though I was too tired to even sit on a horse.

“Steady, you fool,” Runa growled. “Fall, and I’ll drag you behind us.”

I had no doubt the little thief would follow through on the threat. Though my legs were unbound, my hands remained shackled. She had draped me in a hooded cloak, likely to prevent anyone from recognizing me and attempting to steal—or kill—her prize. Both were real possibilities, considering how many criminals I had sent to this place.

“Tell me about this barrier you discovered while invading my mind,” I demanded of my so-called captor. Since our journey together neared its end, I’d use the time left to gain all the information I could to ensure my survival in this gods-forsaken land.

Runa stiffened behind me. “What does it matter?”

It mattered a great deal. In all my years and dealings with the supernatural, no one had ever claimed there was a binding placed on me. I had no idea who could have done it without my knowledge—or for what purpose. Perhaps my mother put it in place, before she abandoned me.

An image of my mother flashed in my mind. Blood spilled from her lips.“Leave this place and never return. Stay and you will only know pain. As I have.”

Growling low, I shoved the image aside. “Have you ever seen the like?”