Chapter 3
Before I could move, the needle hit my arm, and her thumb pressed down on the plunger, injecting the drug. My T-shirt had given her an easy target.
Still, the floor shook underneath me from the hum of my magic.
Glinda yanked the needle from my arm, and the door handle to the room twisted. With her free hand, she lifted her palm toward it just as a vampire charged in. A gust of wind slammed into the attacker and tossed him back into the hallway.
With her other hand, she slid the desk against the door.
Between the floor shaking and my heart racing, I almost lost my balance as the drug kicked in. My legs became dead weight.
Multiple vampires banged against the bedroom door, and enough adrenaline pumped through me to keep me upright. Luckily, the hum didn’t intensify, and soon, my blood eased into a fizz, and the floor stilled.
I groaned, hating the fear and anger that remained constant in my chest. The intensity was nearly overwhelming now that everything else had calmed.
Each second, my blood calmed more, and the vampires’ frenzy quieted. I hated being drugged, but at least the vampires were no longer making noise at my door. I hoped that meant they were gone.
I wobbled, and the world tilted underneath me as the drug got into my system.
“Let’s get you onto the bed,” Glinda said and moved to place her arm around me.
I jerked out of her reach. I’d rather fall than allow her to touch me after she’d drugged me. I teetered but stayed upright.
Weird.
I’d never been graceful before. That was new.
“S-s-stay back.” My words slurred like I was drunk.
She raised both hands and stopped. “I’m sorry, but we’re underground, and any structural compromise could jeopardize all of us. There are also five vampires down here who covet your blood when your magic is out of control. I had to do something before chaos erupted.”
I snorted. “Every villain is the hero in their own story, but I’m not buying it. This is the second time you people have drugged me against my will.”
“If I’d asked, you would’ve consented?” She arched a brow.
“That’s not the point.” My breathing slowed, and I anchored my focus on the strong sensation in my chest. It was the only thing I could feel with the drug in my system. “Don’t try to paint a picture that’s not real.”
“We did it to help you so that you can see the truth of the brutality of the wolf shifters and how they control us.” Glinda shook her head. “Believe me, I know this isn’t ideal, but it is necessary.”
I closed my mouth. Anything I said would be a repeat. I needed to stop expending energy arguing with her and focus on my goal. I kept waiting for sleep to take me, but I was able to remain standing.
She licked her lips. “Get some rest. I’m going outside to ward these vampires from entering your room. It’ll be best for all of us if you can’t get out and they can’t get in. I’ll come back with your dinner.” She lifted a hand and removed the desk from the door.
Her words sank in.
Dinner.
Odd. It was right around that time that I’d gone into the woods looking for Raffe.
When she opened the door, I asked urgently, “How long have I been here?” If it was the same day, that meant I was close to campus. I’d been dead weight, so maybe Dave hadn’t been able to carry me far. There was no telling how many secret locations these witches had on or near campus. Maybe Supreme Priestess Olwyn and Slade would find me.
“It’s been a day.” Glinda’s shoulders sagged. “You were given too strong of a dose, which wasn’t our intention. That’s why you need to eat, especially after I gave you more of the same drug. I’ll be back soon.”
She exited and shut the door behind her, leaving me alone.
I’d thought I understood what isolation meant, but I’d never experienced this. Even with the drug numbing my emotions, my chest ached from the sob building inside. I closed my eyes, wishing I was back at the campus apartment with Raffe, Lucy, and Cat-Keith. The need was so desperate that I didn’t think I could take being here anymore.
There was no way I could survive this without the drug in my system. My blood probably would’ve hummed and killed us all like Glinda feared.
Maybe drugging me had merit, but I would never admit that … especially not to her.
With nothing else to do, I lay on the bed and let tears slide down my face as sleep overtook me.
“One more signof losing control, and I swear, Warin, I will do whatever is necessary to protect her.” Glinda’s terse statement stirred me from sleep.
The scent of pineapple and mint clung to my nose, and my eyes popped open.
A man with gorgeous dark, wavy hair stood at the edge of my bed, his coal eyes narrowed as he stared at the older woman. “I’m fully in control. I won’t be caught off guard again.”
Thiswas Warin? The two-thousand-year-old vampire? He appeared to be in his early thirties, if that and had scruff on his chin like so many men of that age. The only thing that set him apart was the way he held himself, but other than that, he wore an ordinary black button-down shirt and black slacks you could find anywhere. Even his skin was a nice tan color, as if he’d spent time in the sun, quite a contrast to Dave’s and Zella’s paleness. I would’ve thought he was human. Granted, his handsomeness was on par with the supernatural world.
“You didn’t seem in control earlier today.” Glinda rolled her eyes and placed a tray of food on the desk.
My stomach grumbled, and Warin’s steely gaze swung to me.
Even with the drug in my system, my heart rate increased.
“How very human.” He wrinkled his nose. “You’d think you’d learn to control yourself better than letting your stomach make all those noises.”
His condescending tone got the best of me, and I snapped, “Like you controlled yourself earlier when you tried to drink from me?”
Jaw clenching, he flared his nostrils but didn’t say a word.
“She has you there.” Glinda chuckled and smacked Warin out of her way while pulling out the black rolling chair from behind the desk. “Come and eat.”
Though I didn’t trust either of them, I needed food for energy. If I wanted to keep up my strength to seize my chance for the first opportunity to get out of here, I had to be smart, not stubborn. Besides, I hadn’t eaten in two days, and I had used a lot of power.
Sluggishly, I stood and made my way to the chair. As I passed Warin, a shiver ran down my spine.
He smirked, obviously noticing his effect on me.
And here I thought I’d never find someone I disliked more than Raffe’s best friend, Keith.
There had to be a higher power with a horrible sense of humor who liked messing with me. I’d bet whoever it was called the game “How Can We Prove Skylar Wrong?”
Straightening my spine the best I could, given the circumstances, I slid into the seat and examined the food—a turkey sandwich, chips, and a bottle of water. Basic items that almost anyone would enjoy. I took a bite of the sandwich, trying to prove that Warin’s presence didn’t bother me.
Glinda sat in the white chair. “I hope the food is to your liking.”
It was the best damn sandwich I’d ever had, but I wasn’t sure if that was true or just the hunger talking. “It’s fine. Thanks.” I figured I should be somewhat polite to see what information I could glean from them.
I tried to eat slowly, but I took a second bite as hunger clenched my stomach. The two of them watched me as if I were a freak show.
Now, that was something I was familiar with. That’s the way Lizzie and the other kids I’d gone to school with had treated me.
I refused to fill the silence. They’d brought me here, and the more desperate I seemed for answers, the more control they’d have over me. That was how bullies had worked back in school too.
“You must be curious about why we brought you here.” Glinda crossed her legs.
I swallowed my latest bite to make sure my words were clear. “You already told me the reason. To get me away from—” His name caught in my throat.
Raffe.
My fated mate.
I couldn’t say it without letting them see how much he meant to me.
“Oh gods, did the drug kill her brain cells?” Warin crossed his arms and glared down his nose at me.
He must have thought the drug was the reason I’d stopped speaking. For once, something had gone my way. I blinked, playing the part. “What?”
“Wolf shifters, dear.” Glinda lifted her chin, staring the vampire down. “We needed to get you away from the wolf shifters before they tainted your mind.”
I opened the bottle of water, making sure the seal was intact. Not that it mattered. They could’ve put whatever they wanted in the food. But it gave me a sense of control. “Right.”
Warin tapped one dress shoe on the floor. “Shouldn’t we talk to her when she’s not drugged? It would make the conversation easier.”
“So she can panic and her blood can make you lose your mind?” Glinda tilted her head. “Not happening. If you want to be here, this is how you get her.”
He hissed but didn’t say another word.
Interesting. She was the one in charge, and he didn’t like it. Typical alpha male.
I opened the bag of chips and popped one into my mouth, then chewed loudly. As expected, Warin cringed, giving me a little satisfaction.
“Wolf shifters are amazing manipulators, especially when stringing someone along.” Glinda pressed her lips together. “They’re power hungry and use their influence to control everyone.”
Unfortunately, the drug left me too loose with my reactions, and I laughed, nearly choking.
“My gods, what is shedoing?” Warin took a step back, staring at me like I was scum.
That made me laugh harder.
“She’s choking.” Glinda grimaced. “I think.”
I cleared my throat and took several gulps of water to get myself under control. “I’m sorry. I just find it hilarious that you called the wolf shifters power hungry and controlling when you kidnapped me and imprisoned me in a room. Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”
Neither one of them cracked a smile.
“Humans are so stupid.” Warin lifted both hands. “We should just kill her. That would solve our problem.” His fangs extended from his mouth, and I stilled.
He wasn’t joking.
“Say that again, and I’ll make sure you leave immediately.” Glinda stood, her breathing rapid. “We’re supposed to be working together. You may move faster than me, but all I need is to be quick enough to force you from the room and spell it so you can never reenter. And I will do it.”
“How would killing me solve the problem?” That was something I needed an answer to.
“It doesn’t solve the problem. He’s trying to scare you.” Glinda pursed her lips. “But you are important, which is why we did what we did.”
My heart thudded. Please tell me she didn’t know. “What do you mean?”
“You’re the arcane-born we’ve been waiting for.”
She did know. Word must have gotten out among the coven. “If you know that, why do you have vampires anywhere near me? You know how my blood affects them.” That made no sense unless she wanted to make me dependent on her.
My stomach churned, and the food I’d eaten sat hard. Was this an act they’d concocted to make sure I trusted the witch more than the vampire?
“Because, in our circle, vampires and witches are equals and work together for a common cause,” she replied simply.
Wait. “Circle? As in the supernatural world?”
“No, the organization Warin and I are part of. The Veiled Circle. It’s a secret society that formed centuries ago with one goal. To diminish the power and influence of the wolf shifters so witches and vampires can have an equal say in matters, especially within their own species.”
“Witches and vampires?” A lump formed in my throat. I didn’t like the way that sounded. “What do you plan to do with the wolf shifters?”
Warin smiled so big I could see every tooth in his mouth. “Oh, they’ll still be around, but the royal family and anyone who opposes us will be imprisoned, if not killed, for dissenting. Those savages have been in control for way too long, killing thousands of vampires needlessly just because we exist.”
My skin crawled. Something about him was horribly off, but I supposed living for as long as he had might put his sanity at risk.
Worse, the idea of Raffe dead or imprisoned had my blood jolting despite the drug. “Why haven’t you done that yet?”
“Because our organization is small but mighty. We include only those who are most trusted, which was why, when we saw the sign of your birth, we were excited.” Glinda rubbed her hands together. “With your power, you can help us regain our rightful place, and vampires and witches can once again embrace who they truly are without hiding.”
My heart froze. Knowing what I did about animal behavior, I assumed most of the wolf shifters would be against this secret organization. “You do realize that wolf shifters won’t support the mistreatment of their alphas. There’ll be too many rebellious shifters to take them all prisoner.” They’d be talking about genocide.
“Good riddance.” Warin shrugged. “Fewer wolf shifters to monitor.”
Oh, I was sure the vampires would be more than happy with that. Fewer people around to kill them when they stepped out of line.
Glinda glared at him and said, “We’re hoping that won’t be the case, but we’re aware of the possibility. Either way, the wolf shifters have proven to be able to reproduce effectively. Their heritage will survive, and the next generation will be more accepting of the change in leadership since they won’t have lived with the present power structure.”
Acid burned my throat. They wanted to mistreat people for mistreating them. Their whole mission was tainted, and they’d be perpetuating the same cycle, but I knew better than to say that out loud. “And what if I don’t agree to work with you?” I had no doubt they wouldn’t let me out of here alive.
“I’m not worried.” Glinda lowered her hands at her side. “You’re the arcane-born. The restorer of balance in the world. It’s your duty and the whole reason you’re alive here and now. With time, you’ll see the truth and believe in our mission.”
A faint knock sounded on the door before it opened.
A man with light-tan skin stepped inside, his eyes a light brown that contrasted with the thick eyeliner around his eyes. “Priestess Glinda, I hate to interrupt, but we have an issue. Can you come with me outside?”
She tensed and glanced at Warin.
Warin placed a hand over his heart. “I promise I’ll behave. I won’t harm her. Like you said, we’re a team.”
“You have two seconds.” Glinda walked to the door and assured me, “I’ll be right outside the door.”
I wanted to beg for her not to go, but that would only give Warin more power.
When the door shut, Warin blurred the five feet toward me. His nose touched my neck, and he inhaled.
I tensed.
“Just to be clear, if you don’t join our team, I will kill you,” he whispered in my ear.
I gritted my teeth. “Back away. Glinda will return any second, and she won’t like this.”
He laughed, grabbed me by the neck, lifted me, and pressed my back to the wall.