Page 208 of Blood Day

Perhaps it was selfish of me to force her to remain in this cruel world, but I would do whatever I could to ensure her safety and comfort. I’d hide her for eternity. My one secret. My reason for being. My sole purpose for doing whatever Silvano demanded.

So long as he didn’t find her.

I had it all figured out now. I knew exactly where I would take my flower so that she could bloom. It would be without me by her side, but she would be safe. She’d live. And when I was able, I would visit.

That has to be enough, I thought, my mind focused on hers.

As I’d suspected, my reopening of the link had changed her scent, something one of the lycans had noticed almost immediately.

Thatwas why I hadn’t reached out to her until it was time.

And now, I needed her to listen to me.

I needed her to trust me.

I needed her tosurvive.

Are you ready, Lily?I asked.Are you ready to follow my every command?

She hadn’t accepted my demand yet, her body frozen just inside that dark room. I could see her on the security feed, the night vision painting her in shades of black and white.

I’m not even sure you’re real,she whispered.

I am,I promised her.And I’m going to be really pissed off if you don’t listen to me.Because we only had one chance to make this work.

If those lycans returned for her before I could help her escape, they’d destroy our bond.

And I refused to let that happen.

Step out into the corridor and turn left, Lily.

She didn’t move.

Now,I commanded.We don’t have time to waste. Those lycans will return quickly after seeing my name on your file. So move your ass.

I didn’t have many friends in Clemente Clan for obvious reasons. The few I did have were helping me with this mission.

Lily visibly shivered.Why should I trust you?

Rather than respond with words, I opened my mind completely toshowher why. To show her the last few days. My agony over losing her to the moon chase. My determination to find her. And my fear over what would happen to her if she didn’t listen to me now.

It was a thousand different emotions delivered to her over the course of seconds.

Which caused her knees to buckle as she collapsed to the ground on a cry of agony-filled surprise.

My heart stuttered at the sight.

But my ancient mind overrode my emotions, my sense for strategy kicking into play.

This hadn’t been the plan.

My ally on the inside was supposed to get her out. But while watching her in the cafeteria, I’d picked up on some sort of indecision in her features. A potential avenue she’d seemed to be considering exploring. I’d tapped into hermind to tell her to be patient, only to be slammed with her hatred.

All because of a banana for some female named Willow.

Thathad been her debate—whether or not grabbing food would have been worth the risk.

She’d intelligently decided against it in the end. But by that point, it’d been too late. Because I’d altered her scent by touching her mind.