Page 26 of Wicked Dove

“Yes.”

Self-defense? That’s like me, technically. I definitely can’t be mad at him.

“It’s with this consideration that we take your sentencing seriously, but after much discussion, a solution has presented itself. You have two options, Mr. Forrester,” the central man states, leaning forward an extra inch as he glowers at Kael. “Death, or your saving grace. You may escape the slice of death’s blade tonight under the condition that you too return toInstitute Thirteen as the guardian and protector of Miss Elodie Blackwood. Do you accept?”

Kael’s gaze finds mine and I can’t look away. I’m fixed in a stare-off with a guy I want to hate with every fiber of my being, and now they’re offering him my guardianship. I don’t need a guardian.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to state just how furious that fact makes me when Kael turns back to the panel and nods.

“I accept.”

SEVEN

ELODIE

The door slams shut behind us as I blink up at Kael. He turns away from me without a backward glance, as dismissive as ever, forcing me to look around the tiny room we’re in. Dark mahogany walls greet me in every direction, and even as I turn back around, I realize the door blends in too.

I feel like I’m suffocating. There are no windows, no natural light, nothing.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” I blurt, leaning forward to brace my hands on my knees as my pulse thunders in my ears.

“You’re being dramatic, and we haven’t even arrived yet,” Kael grunts with a sigh, but the witty retort I want to lash him with falls short as my breathing grows faster and my vision turns spotty.

Dammit.

Do not pass out again, Elodie.

My legs buckle, my knees hitting the floor with a thud as I struggle to take in a deep breath. Unshed tears burn the back of my eyelids as the idea of lying down grows more desirable, but the moment I start to lower my chest, hands sweep beneath me, lifting me into the air.

Kael’s spicy scent tingles in my nose, confirming it’s him manhandling me. I can’t fight it, nor can I appreciate it. Not that there’s time to because a second later, my back hits the wall behind me with a little more force than necessary.

I gape in surprise at his proximity as he pins me, feet an inch off the floor, before slamming his palm into my chest. Anger burns through my veins, but it quickly simmers down when I finally take in a deep breath.

“What the fuck was that?” I snap as he releases his hold on me. I barely manage to keep my balance as I press my hand against my chest, glaring at him. All of which earns me another pointed look.

“Your lungs were spasming, I helped them out.”

That… asshole.

I don’t relax my glare as his nostrils flare in irritation, but before I can decide on how mad I am, I’m jolted, the floor shuddering beneath my feet.

“Where the hell are we moving to now?” I whisper, heart racing in my chest as I splay my fingers against the wall behind me.

Kael sighs, running his fingers through his blond hair as he moves to the other corner of the small space. “Were you not listening? We’re going to The Vale. Institute Thirteen, to be precise,” he explains, and my eyebrows pinch in disapproval.

“But I don’t want to go there.”

His facial expression remains impassive. “So you want to die?”

He’s insane.

“No, of course not. I want to go home.”

He purses his lips and I hate it. “What did you have going for you there?”

My heart stutters. “My family,” I insist, hating the way his eyebrow arches in question.

“You grimaced at your parents’ names being called out,” he states, catching me off guard. I didn’t realize he was watching.