Chapter 1
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule one: No means no. NO MEANS NO.
I like to think I’m not a violent person, but my feminine urge to engage in ritualistic killings has never been stronger.
Leon is standing at the end of my bed, gazing down at me. His expression is a mixture of pride and adoration.
I frown, blinking once.
Twice.
And that’s when it all hits me – the memory of Need holding my friends hostage on the beach, and the way Leon wrenched my neck to the side.
I am ninety-nine percent sure he murdered me.
The fucking audacity.
It doesn’t matter that I was already planning on dying to probably come back as an immortal. What matters is that once again, this man decided my consent meant nothing.
Is this what the self-help books meant when they mentioned setting boundaries?
I narrow my eyes at him as I slowly climb off the bed, not letting him leave my sight.
There is no way he gets to have me at any more of a disadvantage, at least not more than he already has.
No light comes from the window in my periphery, and the room is cast in a dark, ambient glow from the small orbs floating along polished marble walls.
Shadows dance across Leon’s face, highlighting his sharp cheekbones.
Unfortunately, the darkness does nothing to conceal the look of absolute focus he has on me.
The effect is equal parts creepy and menacing.
Dread curls in my stomach as I realize where I am.
I’m back in the Council’s castle.
With Leon.
If this is karma, I’m going to need the universe to be a little less dramatic.
Leon takes a step toward me.
Absolutely not. No invading personal bubbles.
Immediately, I take a measured step back, internally cringing at the way my long silk gown tangles around my feet.
I don’t own any gowns.
Chills crawl down my spine at the realization that once again, people have taken the liberty to touch me while I was asleep. The violation claws at my throat, and my panic only grows.
Don’t think about it, Vivian. Not now. You can’t fall apart in front of this man.
My spiraling is cut short, though, when Leon stops his advance. His brow is raised in surprise, and he slowly lifts his hands as if to show he means no harm. Which is rich, coming from the man who very recently murdered me.
What’s the fantasy world equivalent of 911? I would like a nuclear-level restraining order.
“I’m happy to see you awake and well. I’ve missed you so much.” He sounds like he’s trying to coax an injured animal.
His words do nothing to soothe me. This is the man who exploited a corrupted magical bond between us. He used it to touch my body and tried to force me into freeing his terrifying power. When I refused to give in, he left bruises on my skin.
Leon is volatile. And yet here he is, holding his arms open, like he’s waiting for me to clue in and run into his embrace.
Apparently, delusion is rather tricky for some people to overcome. At this point, I don’t even think therapy will do much for Leon’s brand of crazy.
I stay where I am, internally bracing myself for the anger I’m sure will follow once he realizes that:
I’m still not into him.
Cassandra wasn’t into him, either.
Yeah, he isn’t going to take the rejection well.
‘Don’t just stand there waiting to be a victim. Find a weapon.’ Cassandra’s memories ring out in my mind, and her sharp voice helps me focus on action, rather than fear.
Subtly, I scan the room, looking for anything with stabby potential. I’d really like to return the favor and murder Leon, or, at the very least, violently maim him. The thought almost makes me smile. I used to wonder if I had it in me to kill someone. Silver lining, I have my answer now.
Personal growth is nice like that.
Unfortunately, the room is just about empty, save for the bed and a large wardrobe pressed against the corner of the opposite wall.
There’s a door next to it, and another door to my right.
You’d think the Council’s castle would have fancy metal candlesticks.
I’ve played Clue, so I’m pretty sure a candlestick can take someone out.
Something in Leon’s face flashes, but he doesn’t drop his coaxing smile, even as he lowers his arms. Evidently, he’s really sold on this whole ‘let’s pretend I didn’t commit any atrocities’ act.
How about no?
“What did you do to my friends?” More anxiety coils around me. I need to know they’re okay. But Leon killed me before I had a chance to guarantee my Mortal Realm friends were safe… or the others on the beach with me.
My breath catches at the thought of who else I left behind, and I shove it away as quickly as possible. Thinking of him is a one-way ticket to a breakdown.
Leon doesn’t get to see my pain. I need to be strong.
This time, I don’t miss the momentary flash of irritation that ghosts across Leon’s features before he masks it again.
He shrugs, feigning nonchalance. “We left them on the beach and apparated away. Fates only know what Sin and the other filth did to them.”
A tendril of my anxiety dissipates. At least my sacrifice wasn’t for nothing. Need doesn’t have my friends. Arianna and Sin will keep them safe.
Sin.
Fuck! I’m not supposed to think about him.
But it’s too late. My heart starts beating erratically, and small wisps of electricity dance along my spine.
Shut it down, Vivian.
Leon must notice the slight shift in my emotions, because he takes another step toward me, eyeing me appreciatively. “Light and immortality suit you, darling.”
Oh fuck no.
He has seriously misunderstood where my mind went.
His steps are confident as he advances, but this time, I stay where I am. I refuse to cower before this obtuse prick.
I’m about to tell Leon that six feet of dirt would suit him when he tries to stroke my cheek. Immediately, I slap his hand away, bracing myself for the pain our corrupted bond will unleash on me for my rebuttal.
No pain comes.
My eyes widen.
Nothing is pulling me towards Leon. The bond between us is gone.
Well, that confirms my earlier suspicions. The only way to break a Keeper bond is in death, which means that now, I must be a Creator.
Yet another job I didn’t apply for, but at least I’m no longer being magically forced to want this man. That is no small victory. Right now, that is everything.
Leon tsks at my response to his touch and mutters, “Still so stubborn.”
He cocks his head to the side and smirks before lifting his hand to pull at something invisible between us. Instantly, I feel a tug, like he’s just pulled a thread that is tethered somewhere deep within my mind. A feeling of wrongness settles over me at the intrusion.
I jerk back. “What the fuck was that?”
At the same time, I mentally take stock of my body, searching for whatever is inside me. But instead of finding whatever just pulled on my mind, I feel something else. There’s a heaviness around my neck.
A collar.
The same collar, I realize, that is imbued into all Creators and Destroyers, to contain our power unless our Keeper unlocks it.
Is Leon my Keeper? There’s no way. Hades said that the Keeper power couldn’t exist with the Creator power, so I don’t think Leon, a Destroyer, could hold it either.
Leon’s smirk turns cruel. “Now, now. As the embodiment of light and creation, you can’t be using that filthy language, Vivian.” His tone drips with condescension.
Rage ignites within me, and I open my mouth to tell Leon to fuck off – only to choke on air. The words refuse to leave my mouth. I struggle for a moment before swallowing them back down. My panic resurfaces. “What did you do?” I choke out in a harsh whisper.
Sighing, Leon shakes his head. “It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with, my love.
Need and I simply decided that given your…
difficulties accepting your fate, you couldn’t be trusted to make your own decisions.
We had a leash built, especially for you.
It binds your will to mine, so I can ensure you act accordingly. ”
My stomach drops. I don’t bother trying to mask my horror.
Not this. Not again.
Despite breaking the Keeper bond, my worst fear is back. Leon has control of my mind. My palms start to sweat, and my panic continues to grow, tightening around my neck.
Leon rolls his eyes. “Now, Vivian, don’t give in to your propensity for dramatics.
Truly, there is no reason to be afraid. This is only a temporary measure.
” In a gentler tone, he adds, “Once you’ve fully accepted your role as a bearer of light and creation for the Council, we’ll revisit removing the leash.
But for now, it’s necessary, while I try to undo whatever brainwashing Morgana did to turn you against me.
” He says the last part imploringly as he once again moves to stroke my cheek.
I don’t hesitate. I take a swing at him. This man will never touch me again.
He must expect my response, because he catches my wrist, and his grip is painfully tight. “This behavior will not be tolerated, Vivian. You will not try to hurt me, and you will not recoil from my touch.”
Despite his surge of anger, he still manages to speak to me like he’s an adult instructing a toddler. Mentally, I tell him to go fuck himself, as I try to dig my nails into his hand.
My arm goes limp.
I stare at it, horrified, and a tightness settles over my chest. Sucking in another breath, I try to command my body to recoil, to lash out, anything!
Nothing happens. My breaths start to grow shallow and rapid. It’s like I’ve been locked inside myself, forced to do nothing as someone else wears my skin. Instead, I watch helplessly as Leon lays a gentle kiss on my palm, just above where the key to his collar was once imbued.
My mind is screaming to escape his touch as he continues kissing up my arm, drawing me closer to him. Black rings form at the edges of my vision, and pure, unadulterated terror starts to take over.