Page 45 of Enchantra (Wicked Games #2)

44

THE HARE

Genevieve took off running. Just like the prey the Devil always hoped she’d be.

Her mind was racing as she burst into the foyer and ran for the front door. Pushing her legs until they burned, she sprinted out to the labyrinth. At this point she knew every twist and turn like the back of her hand.

As she ran through the maze, she caught glimpses of herself in the mirrors that lined the thorned walls within. A wild girl in a beautiful gown being chased by the fox that had stolen her heart.

As she crashed into the center of the labyrinth, she found Rowin already waiting for her.

Grave blinked into view right behind his brother.

Knox appeared next, right beside Grave, grinning from ear to ear. Her ring was so hot now it was nearly melting through her skin.

“Thank you,” Knox told her, sincerely. “This is going to make for a truly grand finale.”

Rowin started forward. And Genevieve backed away, until she hit one of the hedges.

Hell was made of swirling darkness and secrets just like the man in front of her.

“I loathe you,” she swore as the black tendrils of magic that slithered from his hands wrapped around her wrists and throat, shoving her back into the labyrinth’s wall. The sensual energy that always buzzed over her skin whenever he was this close made her grit her teeth as she resisted the shot of attraction slowly heating up her veins. The last time his shadows were wrapped around her like this, there was much less clothing between them.

He followed after his shadows, stalking forward until his chest pressed into hers.

“Love. Loathing. Same passion, different names,” he told her. “And how easily and swiftly the line can be blurred, don’t you think?”

“No,” she seethed. “I don’t think it will ever be anything but crystal clear to me that I hate you.”

Leaning down slowly, until his lips were right next to her ear, he said, “Prove it.”

Knox laughed behind him in delight.

Then Rowin whispered to her, “Two truths and a lie?” Over his shoulder, she saw Knox and Grave share a look of confusion.

“Go fuck yourself. As if I would ever believe a single word from your mouth after this.”

“C’mon, trouble, play the game with me,” Rowin taunted, a sly grin on his mouth.

“Fine.” The smile she gave him now was vicious. “Go ahead.”

“You love me,” he started.

Her throat became tight with shock.

He reached out and cupped her face, gently, brushing the pad of his thumb over her cheek as he spoke. “You are mine.”

He leaned his forehead against hers.

“And finally. Your plan is brilliant, but I don’t think it’s going to work.”

Genevieve’s heart was still racing from the first two things he said. When they’d concocted this plan over the last couple of nights, she’d told him to surprise her with the secrets he chose. One last little game just for them.

“What the fuck is going on?” Knox snapped, taking a step forward.

Genevieve smiled as Rowin loosened his hold on her, and she dug out the Soul Lock from her pocket. “Truth. Truth. Lie .”

“ What is going on? ” Knox snarled.

Behind him Grave raised a hand. And froze the Devil in place.

Knox roared, and Genevieve saw every muscle in Grave’s body strain with effort, the veins of his biceps bulging so much she thought they might burst.

“Do it,” Grave said between gritted teeth. “I can’t hold him for long.”

Genevieve clasped the necklace around her neck and pried open the locket. It had all started when she first saw the Soul Lock. But when she told Rowin her idea, they both knew they would have to convince Grave. It hadn’t been easy, especially after the fight in Rowin’s bedroom. It had taken them hours, about a million promises, and invoking Salem’s name countless times, but finally they’d convinced him this was their final chance at saving his entire family.

Grave had gone to Knox first thing this morning and planted the idea of capturing Genevieve’s soul instead of killing her. He’d also suggested that Knox could turn both brothers against Genevieve. That he could lift their magic to leave absolutely no doubt. Knox’s audience would be transfixed.

He can’t resist a good show , Rowin had said. And he’d been right.

“Ready?” Rowin asked.

Genevieve began to nod and then paused. “Rowin?”

“Yes?” he whispered.

Genevieve had gone to Enchantra looking for the reason that she felt she had never belonged in her family. And she had found him . Someone who made her a part of his own family. Whether she had been ready or not.

She’d spent a lot of time in the last year wanting to be the girl she had been before Farrow broke her heart. Before he set her hopes and dreams on fire and plunged her into the darkness. But Rowin was right.

The light was wherever she was.

“Would the two of you hurry the fuck up?” Grave seethed with effort now.

“I am yours,” she vowed. “Take good care of my soul, alright?”

Then she reached down to wrap her grip over his hand, the one holding the blade, and without hesitation she forced him to run the knife through her heart.