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I whirled away from him, my fury heightened to dangerous levels. If he hadn’t cuffed me, I would likely have leveled the building with my anger. “When will I learn that I can’t trust anyone?”

First Malcolm, now Lucien. When would I realize thatvampiremeant betrayal?

New Rule No. 1: Trust No One, especially a vampire.

“Phoebe.” He tugged me around to face him, but I shoved away from him again.

“Don’t touch me! You really think I’m still going to sleep with you when you’re about to turn me over for execution!!” I couldn’t have survived all these years on the run just for another vampire to trick me. Not. Again.

His dumbstruck expression made me pause, even more so when he snarled,“Any attempt on your life is an act of war.”

His eyes went bright red with his rage at the thought, cooling my anger a bit. He lurched forward, digging his hands into my arms as if he needed to make sure I was still alive. I was confused. None of this made any sense. He yanked me into his arms, even as I resisted, wrapping them tightly around me, kissing the top of my head. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Phoebe.Ever.”

What exactly is going on here? I stood rigid in his arms and blurted, “What are you talking about? Youboundmy powers.” Some part of me wanted him to have a good reason, but I knewnothingcould justify it. Betrayal was betrayal, no matter the reason.

He stepped back, looking down at me. There was still a trace of madness in his eyes, barely held at bay. “I had to make sure you wouldn’t run from me again.”

I wrenched away from him, forcing his hands to drop. “Why me?”

I couldn’t read the emotions in his eyes as he said, “Because it has to be you.” He tried to take me in his arms again, but I dodged him, ignoring the flush of delight at his answer.

“What does that mean? Who am I to you?” I yelled at him. As much as I hated the thought of him with someone else, I couldn’t be with Lucien. Despite how much I wanted him.

He thrust his hands forward, shouting, “My mate! You’re my mate.”

My mouth gaped for a second in total surprise. That was the absolute last thing I expected him to say. I hope I misunderstood.

“Please,please,tell me where you are from, that is a cute little term for someone you want to nail.”

“It is not. You are her. The one I’ve waited millennia for. You are my queen.”

“You’re wrong. I’m not her. I’m just…not.”

He frowned at me, his eyes narrowing as they returned to a bright green. “I am not wrong. You are my mate.”

I glared down at my wrists, shaking the cuffs binding me. “These cuffs don’t really vibe with what I’ve heard about immortal mates.”

He covered the cuffs with his hands, forcing my eyes to his. “Tell me true. If I took them off, would you run? Even knowing what you are to me?”

If the legends I’d heard were, in fact, true, his health and power would steadily decline until he claimed me. I couldn’t soften at the thought. My eyes drifted from his, and he had his answer.

His hands dropped, fisting in anger. “Then they remain. You’re coming with me, Phoebe. I can keep you safe from whoever is after you.”

Lucien didn’t give me a chance to answer. He reached down to swipe my go-bag, rucksack, and Bast’s carrier from the floor before grasping my arm in an unyielding grip and forcing me to follow him. My familiar had been strangely quiet during the entire encounter, probably not sensing an actual threat from Lucien. That made one of us. Lucien was a bigger threat than even the Council.

The sun hit me full force in the face, blinding me for a moment as he pushed me into a darkened SUV. The well-dressed man from earlier was in the driver’s seat. How were all of these vampires suddenly able to walk around during the day?

“Hi.” I waved awkwardly, unsure of what I should be doing. How did one react when you were forced into a car against your will after your powers had been bound?

Lucien climbed in next to me and pulled me onto his lap. I put my hands on his chest and leaned back, desperate to create space between us. I needed to marshal my chaotic thoughts. “Where are you taking me?”

The cuffs glinted on my wrists, and I frowned again at the bindings. He lifted my chin with his finger, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

“Somewhere you’ll be safe. Tell me who’s after you.”

Rule No. 3: Don’t Tell Anyone Anything Ever. Especially assholes who kidnap you.

I remained mulishly silent, refusing to answer. Just because I might have been submissive to him sexually didn’t mean I was normally or at all.I wasn’t going to reward him with more information about me, not after he bound my powers, making me as helpless as a mortal.