Page 141 of This Blood that Bonds Us

“Teach me how to sound all scary like that,” Presley said.

Luke’s head shot up. “They’ll kill you for siding with him. You’re making this worse. Nothing is safe here. I can’t protect you from everything.”

“And I’m telling you, you don’t need to. All I need you to do is follow me. Believe in me.”

“I can’t,” Luke said through gritted teeth.

Okay, things weren’t going well, but Kilian had prepared me for that. Sure, I’d hoped they could be convinced with a simple conversation, but that was wishful thinking. It wouldn’t be that easy, but I had plenty of time to change their minds.

Presley watched me with a smirk. “Aaron, you don’t understand anything. You haven’t felt the bond with Her yet. You’re gonna flip. There’s nothing like it.”

“He’s right . . . you didn’t drink yet. You came on your own, which further proves that this was fate,” Luke said.

“No. I came because I wanted to get you so we could get out of here.”

“You’ve always been such a rule follower.” Presley snickered.

“Luke?” Zach set his jaw, awaiting Luke’s decision on something.

Luke looked down briefly at his hands, then nodded.

“Take him to Her. She’ll make him drink.”

“What?! Luke!?” I backed up, but Zach and Presley grabbed my arms.

“I know. It won’t force the bond, but it will make it easier for you to accept eventually. It will make this entire place easier for you to accept. And She’ll be merciful to you.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t want to accept it! We have to get out.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Aaron. But we can’t leave. It’s impossible. And you’re just going to get hurt trying. She’ll punish you and . . . it’s easier this way. I promise. I’ll make sure you and Presley don’t struggle like Zach and I did. I’m protecting you. I know it doesn’t feel that way—”

“No, it really doesn’t!”

They were already dragging me out of the door and into the hallway. I tried to grab the doorframe but three against one was unfair.

“This is for your own good. He’s right. I never feel sad here. It’s great.” Presley was remarkably stronger than I’d remembered.

Even if I could weasel away from his grip, there was nothing breaking Zach’s death grip on my arm.

“It doesn’t have to be this way.” I tried to get my footing, but it was useless.

“It really does. You won’t last five seconds here. We’re doing you a huge favor,” Zach said.

“You’ll love Her, Aaron. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly. You won’t get hurt. It will be okay.” Luke looked back to me with somber eyes.

He was grasping at straws and actually believed he was doing the right thing. I had to keep calm. Even if I drank Her blood, nothing would happen. We expected this. It was all part of the plan.

I felt sick to my stomach, and not just because I was being dragged by my brothers to a demon queen. That wasn’t nearly as terrifying as knowing my older brothers had been so traumatized by what had happened they couldn’t imagine a better future. I let it fuel me. I would have to lie convincingly.

“I’m sorry, Aaron.” Luke swallowed and looked away. “This place will break you. I won’t let that happen.”

“It’s okay, Luke.”

I was going to convince my brothers to fight even if it was the last thing I’d ever do.

Sixty-Four

Aaron