Page 207 of Cruelly Bitten

Only, as Michael drags me to the room now, it’s Cane waiting inside. His smile sadistic. His eyes cold. His hands ripping and tearing. His cock in my throat, not that girl’s on the floor.

“Now that’s a good little blood whore, relaying everything to my brother just like I told you to,” Cane mused, his accented tones sending another chill down my spine. “What’s he saying? Is he agreeing to my demand?”

“He hasn’t replied yet,” I admitted, my voice raspy. Which I hated. I needed to be stronger than this. But watching Cane fuck that poor woman… hearing his cruel words… it was difficult to maintain my composure.

It wouldn’t take much for Cane to destroy my link to Cam.

Rapeme.

Killme.

Only this time, I wouldn’t wake up. My ties to Cam’s immortality would be forever fractured.I’ll die. For good.

I’m not going to let that happen,Cam promised me.Tell my brother I’m on my way, but if my link to you becomes severed at any point, I will strongly reconsider my leadership role in this world and take his throne.

You’re… you’re going to the compound?It was a stupid question to ask, but I couldn’t stop myself from thinking it. Primarily because the repercussions of that choice were starting to settle into my brain, our precarious position becoming clear.

Cane had taken me as a bargaining chip. A pawn. A way to lure Cam back to the catacombs… and what? Imprison him again?

Did Cane imprison him the first time?I wondered.Is he really behind all of this? Was Lilith working for him? Or did shewake him in a fashion similar to how she woke Cam? Fuck with his mind?

Ismerelda,Cam said, trying to grab my attention.

But now that my brain was deciphering our situation, I couldn’t stop thinking. I merely started talking to Cam instead of myself.

What if Cane uses Lilith’s weapon against you?I asked him, another thought immediately following.What if…? God, what if it wasn’t Lilith’s weapon at all, but his all along? If she was working for him… then… then he’s the mastermind. Right? Cam, what if?—

Tell him what I said, Ismerelda,he interjected, his sharp tone making me flinch.

But—

That weapon already fried my brain. It likely won’t even work again.The assuredness of his tone told me he’d already considered that possibility and had decided it was worth the risk.

Except that wasn’t enough.This is too much of a risk, Cam. You can’t go to the compound. If Cane’s been in charge this whole time, or even if he’s just brainwashed, it’s too dangerous. They could wipe your memory again. And then what?

Tell him what I said, Ismerelda,he repeated, making my hands curl into fists.

Are we not even going to discuss this?I demanded.

What is there to discuss, Ismerelda? He has you. He’s given me his terms. I accept his invitation for a meeting, but only if he guarantees he won’t break our bond.

Okay, you’re agreeing to his meeting, but at what expense?I snapped.The last time you met with someone, you disappeared for nearly twelve decades!

Yes, but this time, I’m not attempting to be humanity’s hero. I’m doing this because it’s the practical recourse. My brother wants a meeting. So I’ll give him a meeting.

My jaw tightened.

“Ismerelda?” Cane prompted. “What has my brother said?”

Tell him,Cam reiterated.Tell him I accept his terms, but only if your mind remains open to mine.

I gritted my teeth. Cam’s mind told me he wouldn’t be changing his decision. Primarily because he saw no other way to let this play out.

And while I hated this choice, I couldn’t think of an alternative.

Other than to let Cane rape and kill me, I thought, wincing.

That’s not an option,Cam growled at me.