Page 120 of Bonds of Starfall

Rin narrowed her eyes, hands clenching. At her back, Cyrus tensed, poised to strike yet still, as if awaiting her command.

"You’re exploiting them," she spat. "What could you offer that’s worth your price?"

"Protection," Valkar said simply. "You should know the lengths someone would go to possess an Aetherborn. For prestige, for power. I offer what they need and take no more than what they’re willing to give."

"And what do you take, exactly?" Rin wanted—no,neededto know. Was it more than the weapons? Did he…usethem?

"Their Stella. But not by force. I give Aetherborns safety and shelter, and in exchange, I siphon fragments of their Stella—enough to infuse into weapons. That’s how I keep Noctis armed.That’show we survive here, and I protect them. I can’t protect them if they don’t help me. One can’t live without the other."

He painted a pretty picture. Autonomy and protection. She knew better.

"I’ll help you look into LunCo," he continued. "But I want you to let me study your Stella. That’s my price." Finally, he sat back against his chair, and she felt like she could breathe again.

She stayed rooted, Cyrus’s touch grounding her. His purple eyes were understanding—he was with her, either way.

"If I sayno, what happens?" She doubted he’d let her go.

"Do you really want to find out?" Valkar’s smile turned razor-sharp. Fangs gleamed.

She hissed out a breath. Cornered. Trapped. An illusion of a choice dangled before her. But at least, this way, she’d get her answers. She’d know if Lucien was a villain.

"No, I don’t," she bit out.

"And here I thought you were stupid. That might be the smartest thing you’ve done. Do we have a deal?"

"Fine. But if you cross me?—"

He cut her off. "You’ll what? You can’t do anything worse to me than you’ve already done. If anything, I should be the one scared you’ll cross me."

Whatever he believed she’d done in her past life, it clung to him like viscous tar, dripping from his lips.

"I won’t cross you." She met his eyes and imbued every bit of truth she felt. She wouldn’t—not if he kept his word.

The leader of Noctis held out a beringed hand.

Cyrus exhaled roughly against Rin’s nape as she reached for the vampire’s awaiting hand. The cool silver of his rings cut into her flesh as he gripped it tightly.

"We have an alliance, then."

Rin nodded. "An alliance," she echoed; though, it felt less like a pact and more like shackling herself to the devil who claimed to be her husband.

14

TREACHEROUS

Rin held her phone between cold, trembling fingers as she typed out a text to Lucien:

Hey. I’m sorry. My phone died.

She drew in a sharp breath when Valkar’s shoulder nudged hers as he sat beside her on the bed. He was watching her every word, monitoring her, just as he had said he would.

Lucien had called and messaged endlessly.

She’d slept for hours, and her eyes had grown wide when she saw the time and day displayed on her phone screen.

She had been in Valkar’s hold for over twenty-four hours.

He had burst into Scourge Motel in that strange time between morning and night and taken her and Cyrus both. Between the moment he first drugged her and the time she’d rested after her episode, a full day had passed. It was morning now, the lamp casting a soft glow on the two males crowding her on the small bed.