Chapter 34 Lennox #2
Light filtered into the room as Sidna lit a lantern, illuminating Luka’s slumped body on the floor, his head lolled to the side with his eyes still closed.
Sidna stopped her song to give another direction, except it was not to me this time. “Wake, Luka.”
Luka shifted, his head rolling from side to side as he groaned. A deep part of me yearned to go to him, but I remained frozen in place, obeying Sida’s direction.
Finally, Luka sat up, rubbing his hands over his eyes. “Lennox?” His gaze fixed on me. “Where are we?” Fear laced his voice. “What’s going on?”
“Now, Lennox.”
My feet moved without me putting them in motion, taking slow steps toward Luka. He stood, his gaze flicking between me and Sidna. “Lennox, what’s happening?”
My lips remained pressed together, Sidna having not permitted me to speak.
There was only a foot between Luka and me now. I tried to slow my steps, every muscle in my body going tight as I tried to slow my steps—to stop my feet from moving—but I couldn’t.
My body trembled as I made it in front of Luka, only an inch remaining between us.
I placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. “Lennox, Sweetheart, what’s going on?” His eyes searched mine as I tried to fight my movements, but it was like I didn’t have control over my body. I didn’t want to hurt Luka.
But I had to.
“Do it,” Sidna said, breaking from her song for only a moment. “Now.”
My hand moved before I could stop, my hand thrusting the blade into Luka’s side.
He groaned, falling forward against me, his eyes searching into mine with an emotion I couldn’t place. Something warm coated my hand, but I didn’t move it. I couldn’t move it.
“Lennox,” he breathed.
“Remove the blade.” I pulled the blade out as the words left her mouth. “Now do it again,” she directed.
“Resist her, Lennox.” Not a hint of fear flashed across Luka’s face, only steely determination as he clung to me. “Fight her command.”
“No more talking from you,” Sidna snapped. “Stab him again, Lennox.”
Something wet slipped down my cheek as I pressed the tip of the blade into Luka’s side.
“Lennox,” Luka said softly. He fought to remain standing, his blood-coated hand cupping my cheek. “Fight it, Lennox—”
I closed my eyes tightly, my entire body trembling. Luka, this was Luka. My mate. I was hurting Luka. I cared about Luka.
I loved Luka.
I loved Luka.
I didn’t want to hurt him.
Why was I hurting him?
My mind came back to me in a flash. Bile crawled up my throat at the feeling of
Luka’s warm blood coating my hand.
That fucking bitch.
I promised I’d slit her throat and I’d do just that.
And then some.
She was a siren.
A fucking siren.
Controlling my mind with her siren song.
I cursed myself for not figuring it out sooner. I should have known—I felt something was off about her—but I couldn’t put a finger on what it was.
Until she tried to force me to hurt Luka.
I opened my eyes, putting all the emotion and words I couldn’t say into my expression.
I’m sorry, I tried to convey.
Luka’s breaths were shallow, his eyes glassy.
I closed my fist around the blade again, the pommel dug into my blood-soaked palm. I took a deep breath.
“Again,” Sidna demanded. My body tightened, but I resisted. My will was stronger than hers. My love for Luka was stronger than her will.
I turned and leapt toward Sidna. A flash of fear flickered across her features before she opened her mouth once again, her song once again tumbling from her lips. Her voice louder this time. The words rough.
“Stop,” she demanded.
I didn’t stop.
I bared my teeth at the siren, tackling her to the ground.
We fell to the floor with a thud, she landed on her back with me on top of her.
Sidna screamed, once again trying to use her siren abilities on me to lull me into submission.
My body tensed, but I fought it, jamming my blade into her chest, not into her heart, I didn’t want her dead yet.
I needed answers before I slit her throat.
But first, I needed to make sure Luka was okay.
I removed my blade from her chest. Before I could strike again, she knocked the blade from my hand, I reached for it, sending my body off-kilter.
She moved quickly, rolling so I was now beneath her. She snarled, the violet ends of her hair dangling in my face.
I thrust my knee upward, into her stomach.
She groaned in pain, shifting back slightly, allowing room for me to raise my leg up again.
I pushed her off me with one swift kick to her chest.
She fell on her back with a moan of pain. I was on her again before she could move. My fist connected with her jaw. Once. Twice. On the third punch, I heard her jaw crack.
Blood poured from her mouth, but I didn’t stop.
“Lennox.” Luka’s voice pulled me from my blood lust.
“Fuck, Luka.” I leapt from Sidan, leaving her face nothing but a pile of mangled flesh as I scrambled for him.
He lay on the ground in a puddle of his own blood, holding a hand to his bleeding side.
“I’m so sorry,” I stammered, “I was under her siren song, and I couldn’t stop at first.”
I moved his hands away from the wound and pressed my own into the gash, not hesitating before I started the spell. Magic rushed to my fingertips as my hands illuminated with healing magic, pushing into Luka.
“I’m fine,” he managed to croak.
“You’re not fucking fine, Luka. I stabbed you.”
“Lennox.” I couldn’t meet his gaze. The guilt over my actions pressing in.
I swallowed, blinking back the wetness in my eyes as I continued to push my magic into him, not letting my eyes leave his wound until the skin was stitched back together—until nothing but healed pink flesh stared back at me.
“I’m so sorry,” I choked out, no longer able to hide my crashing emotions.
“It’s okay.” He reached for me, his blood-caked hand brushing the hair back from my face and cupping my chin. “I knew it wasn’t you. I knew she was a siren. All that matters is that you fought through it, that’s all that matters.” He brushed away the tears staining my cheeks.
“It’s okay.”
I leaned forward, resting my forehead against his and fisting my hands in his shirt. “I’m glad you’re okay,” I whispered. “If something had happened to you because of me—”
“But it didn’t.” His thumb stroked my cheek. “I know you would never willingly hurt me, Lennox.” He brushed his lips over mine in a featherlight kiss.
“But I did.” My gaze slid to my blood-stained hands. Stained with his blood.
“Like I said, willingly. Even then, you broke through the compulsion. Your love for me broke the spell.”
“For fucks sake.” I choked out a laugh. “That is the cheesiest fucking thing I’ve ever heard in my life, please don’t ever say that again.”
“But it made you laugh.”
Bright light burst into the chamber, blinding me, despite the torches glowing.
“Lennox? Luka?” My shoulders sagged in relief at the sound of Luce’s voice.