Page 123 of Possess Me at Midnight

“Ice.” Her voice trembles.

I want to reassure her that all will end well, but I can’t lie. I know what to do, how to defeat Mathias. But he knows it. He’s fighting me with everything he’s got.

“Never forget I love you.” I memorize her face, the way the light catches her hair, the love shining in her eyes—in case these are the last moments I have to carry her with me.

It takes all my strength, but I sprint down the stairs. Vitality flows through me, bursting from every pore of my body, not just magical energy but something deeper—Sabelle’s love, her faith in me, her absolute trust. It’s the most beautiful gift, and it’s more potent than any spell. Now, it’s time to put this power to good use and do my best to stop Mathias from taking this Council seat—and continuing his reign of terror.

If I succeed, I’ll grab Sabelle with both hands, beg her to speak the Binding, and begin my future.

If I don’t…everything will be lost.

Sabelle

Once Ice leaves, I fight the urge to tuck my knees under my chin and cry miserably. But succumbing to the urge will accomplish nothing. And since the challenge is beginning soon, I need to be dressed and sitting outside the ring supporting Ice, praying for his victory…and his well-being. But the thought of watching him face Mathias again, knowing this might be the last time I see him alive, makes my chest tight with panic.

Though Ice is a skilled warrior, and now well trained in human combat tactics, thanks to Marrok, Ice is honest. He’ll abide by the challenge’s rules. Mathias will circumvent as many as he can get away with. I’m frustrated. I hate feeling helpless because I can only caution him to be careful and give him my support.

Sighing, I rise, magically repair the rips Ice made to my clothing, and dress myself again. I don’t spare a few moments to take a shower or to tidy the room. No time or energy; both are reserved for Ice.

Hurrying out of the room, I reach the stairs. As I grip the banister and begin my descent, I feel a presence behind me. Heart pumping in my throat, I whirl.

Mathias.

Instantly, I freeze in terror.

He stands at the top of the stairs, clearly enjoying his superior position several steps above me. His smile looks pleasant on the surface, but I don’t trust him for a moment. With disheveled hair, he holds his shirt in one hand, revealing the slick, rippling muscles of his chest and abdomen. Evil rolls off him.

A witch in head-to-toe red stands behind him, clinging to his arm. Mathias drops a quick kiss on her neck, burying his fingers in her tangled hair before he releases her, turning from her like she’s an afterthought. “Miss Rion, have you been…keeping Mr. Rykard company?”

I bristle. Whatever passes between Ice and me is no one’s affair, particularly Mathias’s. I huff and resume my trek down the stairs.

“I asked you a question,” he snaps.

I refuse to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

“Tsk, Miss Rion. You gave Mr. Rykard energy, and I doubt very highly that your brother approves. If he did, you would have answered Ice’s Call. Bram thinks Rykard is rather beneath you. But I guess it’s you who’s been beneath him.”

I bite my lip to hold in a scathing reply and descend the next step.

Mathias races until we stand shoulder to shoulder. “Oh, dear. Have I offended you?” When I still refuse to reply, he clucks in a mockery of regret. “A thousand apologies, pet.”

“I am not your pet,” I insist, creeping ever closer to the bottom of the staircase.

“Stop,” he demands. “Face me. Allow me to apologize.”

Not only do I not care, I don’t dare. Lord knows what he truly wants from this interaction. “You should go, or you’ll be late for the challenge.”

“I have a few moments. Please. I’d like to apologize.”

Cold dread fills my stomach. Mathias is up to something, probably terrible. All along, I feared he would find some way to harm Ice. Now I see that Ice is strong enough to fight this bastard, and Mathias is too clever to risk doing something underhanded to his fellow combatant that might cost him the challenge. Instead, because Ice Called to me, Mathias knows he can instead prey on someone his enemy will defend to the death.

Me. Ice’s weakness. The only thing that could make him abandon strategy and charge headlong into danger.

Like the crafty bastard he is, Mathias held back from the challenge ring, likely lying in wait for me. If I hadn’t needed a few moments to repair my clothes before donning them… If I hadn’t needed a few moments to repair my emotions after Ice refused to allow me to complete the Binding… And if I had considered that Mathias would not only risk but relish harming me in Blackbourne’s house…

Damn it all.

“You won’t listen?” He darts to the bottom of the stairs and faces me. “Then I insist you spend a bit of time with my…close friend, Rhea.”