Chapter 29

Zara

I was back in the tower. And this time, I didn't think I was going to get out. I remembered Lucian's face when he caught me. There was nothing in his eyes but blind rage and betrayal.

How could I convince them that I'd had nothing to do with the poison?

Lucian had threatened to interrogate me himself when he caught me. But so far that hadn't happened. I'd been locked back in my prison, and mostly ignored. To my shock, I wasn't starved again. Every day like clockwork, a silent wolf would bring me a cup of water and a small meal. It wasn't much, but it was better than I'd expected.

I didn't try to talk to the wolf who brought my food. I tried the first day, just to see if I could get any reaction. I did. The lights were shut off from outside the room, somehow, and I was left without food the next day.

When the wolf came back and a thin line of light appeared, I kept my mouth shut. My food and water were slid into the dark room, and the door closed again. I ate by feel. So far, the lights hadn't come back on. I didn't know what they wanted me to do to earn the privilege of seeing my empty, boring cell.

I hated the knowledge that eventually, I would do whatever it was. I wasn't afraid of the dark, no, but the constant silence and endless dark was beginning to play tricks on my mind.

I saw shadows shift and twist on themselves even though nothing was there. I heard whispers from the corners of the room and skittering in the walls. I hummed to myself and even sang out loud to drown it all out.

How long before I went mad? Was this how Kieran and Lucian felt? No wonder they were so determined to find their fated mate. I felt guilty for hiding the truth from them, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't let them learn that I was their mate. Even though after what had just happened I knew I would never taste freedom. Our bargain would mean nothing now.

But I still had my life. And if they learned I was their mate, I wouldn't. They would make me use the bond to repair their wolf-bonds. And because of my incomplete bond to Adrian, I would die.

Could I explain that to them? Would they care? Maybe. I was useless to them dead. But I remembered the rage in Lucian's eyes. I remembered how ruthlessly he'd slaughtered the Rogues in the ballroom. Would that Alpha hesitate to use me until I died? Somehow I doubted it.

I paced in the darkness, keeping one hand on the wall so I wouldn't end up lost in the dark. Although that wasn't much of a danger. The cell was small enough I would bump into a wall in a couple of steps.

The door opened and I twisted to face it. It wasn't time for my one meal. I hadn't slept since my last one. Or had I? Was I losing track of time? Probably. I'd thought I at least had a good count of days since my meals were so regular.

“Zara,” Lucian's voice purred through the darkness and I froze.

The light flared on. I covered my face, shrieking in pain as the sudden brightness stabbed my eyes. I couldn't see Lucian's smug little smirk but I could feel it, burning from the open doorway I was too staggered to run for.

I heard Lucian step closer. I backed up until I hit the wall. Lucian followed me, and stopped a half pace away. He tilted my chin up with one finger. My eyes watered from the light.

I tried very hard not to remember the last time I'd been pressed up against a wall by this man. Lucian would smell my reaction and that was the last thing I wanted.

“I've given you a few days to think about your crimes,” he said. “Thank me for my generosity.”

I tried to spit at his face, but my aim was off and there wasn't enough moisture in my mouth. His growl told me he got the point anyways.

I did wonder what he meant by 'crimes', plural, as in more than one. What was he accusing me of besides trying to poison him and Kieran?

He gripped my chin, hard. I winced.

“You still haven't learned manners, have you?” he growled. “I'd have thought you at least learned some respect for your Alphas by now.”

I glared. It was about all I could do.

“Your little ploy failed,” he continued. “And don't worry, I already said you could try to poison me if you wanted. I won't kill you for doing it. I'm just surprised. Why'd you go through with it?”

I tried to shake my head. He loosened his hold enough that I could talk.

“I didn't,” I insisted.

“So you're still playing innocent? Cute. Idiotic, but cute.” Lucian shrugged. “I still have several of your co-conspirators to interrogate. It's tedious. They're not as resilient and strong willed as you are.”

Co-conspirators? Who? Had he caught Adrian? I wasn't conspiring with him, or anyone! He just shoved a vial of poison in my hand and ran. That wasn't a conspiracy. It was a set up.

“I'm not working with anyone,” I insisted, “and I didn't try to poison you!”

Lucian sighed. “All right, if that's how you want to play it. I can give you a little more time to think. Just a little. I will get the truth out of you, soon enough. It would be better if you cooperated.” He paused, and took a step back. “My brother really is fond of you. We could, maybe, work something out. If you tell me what the plan was, who was involved, all of those silly little details. You could go back to being his pet.”

“Why would I want that?” I scoffed.

“Hm. No reason,” Lucian said. His hand shot out and stroked my throat, skin to skin contacted only interrupted by a thin strap of leather. “You still haven't taken this off, I see. I'd have thought it'd be the first thing you discarded.”

I reached up, honestly shocked. I'd just forgotten I was wearing it. How had I forgotten that? When had I become so used to wearing a damn collar that I didn't even feel it anymore?

Lucian twisted his hand, and the collar fell free. He caught it before it hit the floor.

“I'll give this back when you earn it,” he declared.

“Keep it,” I snarled.

Lucian shrugged and turned to walk away. He paused at the door, and turned to look over his shoulder.

“The full moon is soon. Kieran and I will visit. You'll keep your bargain, and soothe our wolves.”

“And if I don't?” I asked.

Lucian's eyes narrowed and I flinched from the fury in his gaze.

“Then we have no further use for you.”

He walked out and slammed the door behind him. I slid down the wall, my knees turned to jelly.

What was I going to do? Could I soothe their wolves without the bond hurting me, maybe killing me? Or was it better to face the Alphas' rage instead?

I wrapped my arms around my chest and curled up in a ball. I needed a plan, but all I could think of was the rage in Lucian's voice, and the stupid warmth in my belly when he touched my face.

I didn't want that! I didn't want him. I wanted to be free. That's all I'd ever wanted.

Wasn't it?