Hunt the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #11)(61)

“Then he must have told you that the mating was an accident,” she said.

“So he says.” The vampire couldn’t sound more bored. “He also insisted that you be fed and that a hot bath brought to you later.”

Sally blinked. Roke ordered that she be fed and bathed like a damned dog in a kennel?

“And that’s it?” she rasped.

“As far as you’re concerned.”

“I don’t believe you.” Sally pressed her back against the steel wall of her cell, the pain inflicted by Dyson’s whip nothing in comparison to the tidal wave of agony that threatened if she allowed herself to accept the female’s filthy lies. “He wouldn’t leave me trapped down here.”

“For now he’s occupied with his clan.” The blue eyes narrowed. “He does have duties, you know.”

“I have no intention of interfering in his duties.”

“But you already have,” the woman abruptly hissed.

Sally shivered as the temperature abruptly dropped. Christ, being around vampires was like being shoved in and out of a freezer.

“Not intentionally.”

The female made a sound of disgust. “Maybe not, but because of you he’s abandoned his people for weeks.”

“I told him that he didn’t have to stay with me.”

“He’s a vampire of honor. He unfortunately felt he had no choice but to offer you his protection.” The woman’s tone indicated just what she thought of Roke’s choice. “Now he—”

“What?”

The woman nibbled her lip with her fang, trying to appear as if she were debating whether to finish her thought or not.

Devious leech.

“I’m not sure Roke wants you to know.”

“Tell me.”

“The clan is concerned that his mating to you has divided his loyalties.”

“Concerned?” Sally frowned at the unexpected words. “Why?”

“He can’t be an effective chief if he’s devoting his time to tending to your constant needs.” Her voice was edged with an icy hatred. “We’ve endured an absent leader before and we won’t suffer through it again.”

Sally ignored the female’s unmistakable jealousy. It was obvious she wanted Roke for herself.

No big shocker.

“What does that mean?”

The vampire grabbed the bars of the cell, her frigid gaze pinning Sally in place.

“There are younger, stronger clansmen who have won the battles of Durotriges and are now prepared to challenge for their right to become chief.”

Oh. Sally’s stomach churned with a growing horror. Of all the various scenarios she’d envisioned for Roke’s return to his clan, this one had never even blipped on her radar.

“He’s going to be challenged?”

“If he can’t prove he’s willing to put you aside.”

“That’s not fair,” Sally whispered. “He didn’t create the mating, I did.”

“Then break it,” the leech abruptly hissed.

“I . . . can’t.”

The temperature dropped again, coating the bars in a layer of ice.

“Then you’re willing to sacrifice Roke?”

“No. Of course not.” She clutched the blanket tighter, shaking with a combination of cold and outright fear. How could Roke possibly fight after he’d nearly died? Weren’t there any rules about the battle being fair? “I don’t know how to undo the bond, but I’m going to discover how.”

“When?”

“Let me go,” Sally pleaded, unwittingly moving to stand next to the bars. Dammit. She had to convince this female to release her before Roke could be challenged. “I’ll find my father and—”

“There’s no time.” The vampire’s voice held a compulsion that was a tangible force. If Sally hadn’t been so powerful, she wouldn’t have stood a chance against it. “Soon he’ll be stepping into battle. He’s weakened, barely able to leave his bed. There’s no way he’ll survive unless you end this.”

Sally bit her lip, fear galloping through her. If something happened to Roke, it would be entirely her fault.

How could she live knowing what she’d done?

Oh hell, if something happened to Roke, she wouldn’t want to live.

“I can’t.”

“Only you can do it, Sally,” the female pressed. “Break the mating.”

“It’s impossible,” she cried.

The compulsion continued to beat at her for a silent minute, then, with a click of her tongue, the leech took a step back and smoothed her hands down her spandex pants.

“A pity.” The boredom returned to her tone, the ice on the bars melting. “Roke hoped you would do this the easy way.”

Sally blinked in confusion. “What?”

“He was . . .” The woman pretended to consider her words. “Displeased when he awoke to discover that we’d treated you so roughly. He was the one to suggest we try to touch your soft heart to convince you to break the bond. He said it would be far more effective than actual torture.”

“No.” Sally gave a violent shake of her head, but deep inside a shard of doubt pierced her heart. “He wouldn’t.”