Page 16 of Claim Me

If Nikolas O’Neely is subject to death, so is Fallon Doyle.

They weren’t reallyherwords so much as the Outcast Coven’s words. But someone—likely our father—forced her to say them to me.

I don’t try to reach out to her again, aware that she’s no longer conscious. It’s something I can sense through our twin bond, our magic and energy linked in ways that can’t be explained.

She fought whoever tried to control her mind.

And she failed.

Which suggested it might have been more than our father who coaxed her into relaying that message.

Or maybe it was just him alone.

Our father is powerful, revered,fearedby many. That’s partly why we never stand up to him. But he’s also the only one keeping Issy alive and safe.

Although,safeis a subjective term.

Is Issy reallysafeif she’s kept locked up all the time?

Am Isafehere, in this glorified prison cell the Gold and Garnet King refers to as a guest suite?

No, I’m not,I tell myself as Kaspian continues his speech on the screen, detailing the events of the day Klas was caught, and the council’s findings.

I half expect Kaspian to mention me—the witch with the deadly power Klas used—but he doesn’t. He keeps the focus on “Mercenary Klas” and his many wrongs against Gold and Garnet.

Meanwhile, Nox seems to be entirely focused on me. He hasn’t said anything; he’s just studying me in that quiet way of his. He does this often after I wake from anepisode, his presence oddly soothing rather than suffocating.

I like that he doesn’t push me.

He simply lets me know he’s here.

Although, I suppose that’s his job as one of my guards.

He’s not here to protect me, but to ensure I don’t do anything to hurt others. Which I imagine is his purpose now as well. Kaspian sent him to watch the announcement with me and evaluate my reaction.

Well, I won’t be giving you one,I think, my eyes on the broadcast.

There’s nothing for me to react to. I know what’s coming. And I’m more concerned about what my sister told me.

Fallon Doyle will honor the Outcast Coven by adhering to our ancient pledge—loyal mates die with their beloved. Or those mates will be punished with fates worse than death.

I shiver, her voice running through my head.

The Outcast Coven expects me to take my own life, to die with Klas.

I can think of severalfatesthat may await me if I choose not to comply. Most of them don’t frighten me, not after surviving four years with my forced mate.

The problem is, they have Issy.

And knowing my father, he’ll use that leverage to his advantage to ensure I behave, just like he did for my arranged mating to Klas.

I have to find a way to help Issy escape,I think while Kaspian continues addressing his leadership and his constituents.But where will she go? She can’t go into No Man’s Land. No House will accept her. Not even this one…

Because Kaspian and the others think I’m an orphan without a family.

Even if I tell them the truth, I know they won’t allow someone as powerful as Issy to come here. Not to mention all the questions that will follow regarding my own powers and birth and home.

They don’t even know Klas’s last name.