Page 201 of Wicked Bonds

Her eyes narrowed at the thought of all the insults he’d throw her way.

Maybe she could go tell Alik instead.

She hesitated for a breath, then shook her head.

No. Luc needs to know.

He’d probably be angry if she went to anyone else with this. It was a wonder Ezekiel hadn’t said anything yet. He was probably too busy consoling Skye.

Eliza swallowed.This is my responsibility. I’ll own it.

Luc’s steps told her he was on some sort of mission, though, so she stayed back, giving him space as she waited for the right moment to talk to him.

Which turned out to be a good thing because he halted suddenly, and had she been just a little closer, her presence behind him would have become obvious.

She stepped behind a tree, observing him with a frown.What are you doing?

He’d frozen midstep on the path.

Did you hear me back here?

Maybe she should announce herself and—

“Hello, Lucian,” a deep voice said, the familiarity of it sending a chill down her spine.

Osiris.

A memory assaulted her of the first time they’d met.

Her body dressed in chains.

An auction for who would own her life.

His sadistic amusement at the games ahead.

She’d been so cold. So terrified. Sobroken.

Yet furious at the same time.

She’d wanted to kill every asshole in that room.

And then he used a razor to shave off that woman’s skin, she thought, her heart in her stomach at the smell and sight of her being doused in alcohol before being set on fire.

Oh God…She felt sick just thinking about it.

Yet here he stood, several meters away, talking to Luc. She tried to focus on what he was saying, but the pounding in her ears made listening impossible.

What is he doing here? How is he here? What’s happening?

Luc had started walking with him.

Her feet moved of their own accord, following them, her panic mounting by the second.

Why are you walking with him?

Where is he taking you?

Oh God, did he compel you?