Page 2 of Claim Me

The O’Neely Clan Patriarch—the same one who chose this mating match—sent Nikolas to live in Ireland decades ago, planting him within Gold and Garnet territory, where he became a mercenary. From what I understand, the Outcast Coven plans to someday use him and his alliance for corrupt purposes.

Now it will be my task to help him succeed. Commit whatever treasonous acts he requires. Play the role of a dutiful mate.

Make both our families proud.

This won’t be a kind courtship or a loving relationship.

This will be hell. One where he’s the devil and I’m being castigated for the contrived sins of others.

The sins of my sister, I think, my throat dry.Only, she didn’t mean to hurt anyone, and everyone in this room knows it.

But that doesn’t matter. Because that’s not how the games are played in this world full of magic dealers.

“Fallon.” My father’s voice holds a note of warning in it, his green eyes the same color as my own. Only his irises flare with an unspoken threat, while mine probably reflect resigned acceptance.

Because there is no other option here.

I have to finish this to fix the past.To protect Issy.

Clearing my throat, I lift my chin and utter the two words that’ll seal my fate for the rest of my days. “I do.”

My sister whimpers in my mind, her guilt palpable.

This isn’t your fault,I remind her.This is our parents’ doing.

Not that they have much choice, either.

The Supernatural Syndicates in what’s left of New York City is the only place in No Man’s Land with any sort of protection. Sure, it’s run by criminals, but at least those criminals look out for one another.

Sort of, anyway.

Better than in other areas of this magically corrupt world.

Except I’m about to join a House as Nikolas’s mate.

I shiver, uncertain of how this will work. There are eight Houses in the world, all of them strictly governed by the most powerful supernaturals on Earth.

They’re selective about whom they accept.

But somehow Nikolas is part of one.

And he’ll be taking me “home” as his fated mate.

What if they discover what I can do?I wonder for the thousandth time since I learned of Patrick’s choice for my mating.

That choice stares at me now, his eyes flickering with dark flames that threaten to burn me.

“Do you, Nikolas O’Neely, take Fallon Doyle to be your forever mate?” Daithi asks, a sinister lilt underlying his Irish accent.

“I do,” Nikolas replies without hesitation.

Magic prickles the air, the scent foul and wrong to my senses.Acrid smoke, I think, nearly gagging as it smothers my nose and creeps into my being.

I’m so sorry,Issy whispers to me, her mental voice a sob that slices at my heart. She’s not here to witness this, her presence not welcome anywhere in the city. But she can feel what I’m feeling, hear my thoughts, and nearly see through my own eyes.

We’re twins and bonded by birth.

Always.