My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(59)

Meryn continued. "What would've happened if I hadn't stopped the third trial of older blood with the children and shifters on Level Six?"

Vivi covered her face with her hands unable to speak. Gavriel turned to Meryn. "The levels of testosterone in the blood from the transition markers would have reacted to whatever was in the virus to promote aggressive behavior. They would have gone feral. The adults would have hesitated to hurt them and they would have decimated everyone in the hospital." He stared down at DeLaFontaine. "Magnus would have started from the bottom and worked his way up and the children would have started from the top and worked their way down. Any victim who lost a mate would have also turned feral and the bloodbath would have grown at an exponential rate."

Meryn nodded. "That's what I thought." She stared at DeLaFontaine. "You're not smart enough to do all this. You're too self-centered. You would've wanted to preserve the city, so you could rule it, you wouldn't have created this." Her eyes narrowed. "Who is pulling your strings?"

DeLaFontaine's body slumped forward and his head hung down, his hair blocking his face. "Do you really want to know?" he asked sounding different.

"Yes," she replied.

"So be it," was the last thing she heard before light exploded behind her eyes.

"Denka!"

"Meryn!"

Shit, they are going to be so pissed at me.

Finally, she gave in to the pain.





*****





When she opened her eyes, she looked round. She was standing in a bright white room. "Well fuck," she muttered.

A low masculine chuckle had her turning. "Holy shit!" she exclaimed. The man before her could not be real, he was simply too beautiful. If she weren't mated, she'd lust after this one.

"Thank you," he replied, in a deep voice. Silently he began to walk round her.

"Wait, can you read my mind?" she asked.

"In a way."

"Watch it, it can get a bit crazy in there," she warned.

He smiled and continued to circle her.

"I take it you're the head guy, the one in charge?"

"Something like that."

"Why are you doing all this?"

"Should you be asking so many questions? It cannot be good for your health," he warned.

"I've been asking questions my whole life buddy, it's what I do."

"The witches warned me about you. You have no idea how long I have been looking for you."

"They warned you about me?" Around them a flash of blue light illuminated the frosted glass walls. She ignored it. "Why would you be looking for me?"

"I wonder how they kept you hidden?" he mused.

"Back to my other question. Why are you doing all this? Is it for the necklaces?"

"The necklaces are just a means to an end."

"What end?"

"Your world of course."

"Dude, seriously? You want to take over the world? Have you seen how fucked up it is lately? Trust me, it's a headache you don't want."

He stopped his circling to stand in front of her. "Imagine being locked away in a small, wooden box. There are no windows, no doors. It is dry, dusty, hot and confining. Would you not risk everything to feel a bit of fresh air on your face or taste sweet, cold, water?"

"I suppose," Meryn admitted.

"Even if it meant killing others?"

She shrugged. "Depends on whether or not they deserved it."

"You are not what I expected. Most humans would respond, 'I would never kill an innocent person,'."

"Most humans lie to themselves on a regular basis, I'm not that smart," Meryn said, wincing at another bright flash of blue light.

"You think more like a demon than a human," he complimented.

"Is that what you are?"

"Your Dark Prince will be able to tell you more," he answered. He eyed her closely. "You know. I was simply going to have you killed, but I may change my mind. You are amusing. I think we could have a lot of fun together."

"You know DeLaFontaine will be questioned by the council," she pointed out.

He gave a lazy shrug. "He has served his purpose."

"Whatever you're doing, if it hurts the people I care about. I will stop you."

"You can try, and I will enjoy watching you try." He smiled and held up a finger. "Wait for it."

Meryn shielded her eyes from another flash of light.

He laughed. "Your squire is losing his mind to get you back."

Now it was her turn to shrug. "I know."

He paused. "You knew that was your squire this entire time and you are ignoring him?"

"I told you. I ask questions, it's what I do."

He slowly approached her. She felt ice slide down her spine as his lips neared her ear. "And I kill people, it is what I do."

She turned so that their noses were nearly touching. "But you won't kill me." Of this she was sure.

He smiled and leaned back. "I may not have to."

"What do you mean?"

"Did I forget to mention? To speak to me, I had to stop your heart." His eyes were cold. "I did say that asking so many questions could affect your health."