Page 42 of Hell Fae Captive

Words likewell-fedandpamperedbled into my mind, not through my ears but via some enchantment that I fought to free myself from.

This isn’t real.

This isn’t happening.

This is wrong!

But it slithered around me, heating my veins, settling my spirit, and making me feel like Ibelongedhere.

Your parents signed the papers, sealing your fate. It’s a simple business arrangement, with your soul as the collateral damage. I warned them what would happen. They chose your fate anyway. Hate them, not me.

Those words wove through the others that depicted my fate, saying something about a survival test. He told us to be prepared, to take the pampering of the next few days to ready ourselves for the eventual battle.

Only the worthy will endure, he concluded.Then the real trials will begin.

Growls and chants met those words, the male Hell Fae eager to move this along. To shred us apart. Toownus.

There were very few female Hell Fae—a fact I somehow knew but couldn’t determine where it’d come from. Perhaps the incantation swirling around me had something to do with it. That damn spell held me captive like some obedient pet tethered to a calming leash.

Stop it, I demanded, attempting to fight my way out of the addictive web.

Relax, it cooed in response.This is your state of being now. Accept me. Accept us. Accept this world.

Fuck you!I screamed at it, aware that I was partially losing my mind. Because I was arguing with a figment, some sort of invisible, intangible being that sounded a hell of a lot like the Hell Fae King seated on the throne before me.

Seated, I thought.When did he sit?

Oh, who the fuck cares!

My brow slickened with sweat as I continued to mentally battle thisthinginside me, his speech worming through my brain to repaint my reality.

I couldseehim standing there, speaking, broadcasting the opening ceremonies, and telling us all to indulge and enjoy. His lips moved. His eyes smiled. He appeared almost angelic, beautiful, the epitome ofhandsome.

And yet I also saw him sitting there with a bored expression, his hand weaving a spell while Melek whispered something into his ear.

It was a dual reality that left me wondering what the hell I was truly experiencing.

Is he standing or sitting?

And how is he so loud in my head?

I screamed but my mouth didn’t move.

Applause echoed around me, the hungry males excited for the next phase of the evening.A meet and greet session to cast their votes on who they want to survive,the Hell Fae King was saying. Perhaps they’ll give you items to help you along the way, hmm? I suggest you seduce them well, ladies. You’ll need as much help as you can get.

Melek’s gaze my mine, a knowing flicker in the depths of his gaze. He was still seated by Lucifer, but he wore the same expression from where he’d stood minutes… seconds… whenever ago.

Then he gently stroked his throat.

Only, I felt that touch againstmyskin… and then the talisman against my neck.

Two words, he mouthed.

Somnum Dameonis,I thought, realizing what he wanted me to say.

Magic snapped around me, some part of me innately engaging the restraint around my mind and demolishing the spell to ash.

Oh!I hadn’t meant to actually enact it, but it was too late.