Chapter 5

• Leone took two steps and then purple sparks were flying as he hit whatever they’d erected to keep him contained. “What the hell.” He smacked it with his hand creating more sparks, then glared at me. “Take it down.”
• I opened my mouth, then lifted my hands. “I didn’t do it.”
• He gave me a blank look. “You’ve been fucking around in my head, don’t tell me you’re not a mage and can’t remove this.”
• Frowning. I gave him my own hard glare. “I am not a mage. From what I’ve seen those that are should be dropped in some deep hole and forgotten.”
• He made a noise that could have been one of agreement, but I wasn’t sure. “So you’re a telepath?”
• My eyes opened as wide as they could. “A what?” I shook my head. “No.” I hugged my arms around my waist trying to stop my stomach from churning with that feeling of dread. “I have magic… skills.” Trying to explain it never sounded right.
• Huffing out a breath he put a large hand to his forehead and squeezed either temple. “Are you still fucking around in my head? I can’t think straight.”
• “No. No, I-I’m not.” I went to step forward and remembered the crumbling wall. “It’s probably from whatever they gave you. I don’t think a body is meant to get two doses…” His hand dropped, and he gave me an unamused look. “I can,” I motioned over my shoulder, “make coffee or get you some juice?”
• He closed his eyes and sighed. “Fine.” His eyes popped open again. “Then you’re going to explain what the fuck is going on.”
• I opened my mouth, then closed it and nodded as I backed down the rest of the hallway.
• Going around the corner into the kitchen I leaned on the table and dropped my head down. This was a great idea. Leave the expendable tiny woman to deal with the pissed off giant. “You are such a moron, Beth.” I whispered to myself and then straightened up to make coffee.
• Carrying the coffee and a bottle of juice I stopped in the hall where he’d hit the invisible barrier. Did I want to go across it?
• Leone was standing in the room looking out the window. He gave me a distasteful glance. “Don’t worry, as much as I’d like to crush your throat in my hand I won’t. You have answers I need.”
• I didn’t move. “That’s reassuring.” The look I gave him said the opposite.
• He waved his hand at me. “Set it on the floor.”
• Deciding that was the best solution, I knelt and set it on the floor just inside the barrier. Getting up, I went back to the kitchen and got my cup. When I turned the corner, he stood in the middle of the hall holding the cup. “It’s black.” I said, sitting on the floor.
• He took a sip and said nothing for several minutes.
• I stared into my cup, not knowing how to start a conversation in this circumstance.
• “What’s your name?”
• Startled I looked up at him.
• He pointed to his head, “you’ve been in my head every moment for weeks, I think telling me your name is the least you can do.”
• He did have a point. “Beth.” I answered quickly.
• His dark eyes stayed on mine. “Okay, Elizabeth…”
• I shook my head. “Not Elizabeth. Bethany.”
• “Fine, Bethany, why are we here?” His jaw clenched a few times. “I’m the prize to be traded for that scum Marcus. I got that part.”
• I set the cup down and crossed my arms. “And Erin. I don’t give a crap about that freak Marcus.”
• He gave me a surprised look. “The Witch?”
• I shrugged, “my friend. They told me the royals, or whoever, would exchange one of their brothers for my friend and that idiot she’s been duped by.”
• It was his turn to stare into the dark liquid he held. “That’s not going to happen.”
• “What? Why not?” I stood up, unable to stay sitting now.
• He took a big gulp of the coffee. I winced when he should have by how hot it was. When he lowered the cup, he had a bland expression on his face. “Because the royals, my family, will find me and there won’t be any exchange.”
• I snorted, “Sorry to burst your bubble Leone Royal, but I’ve been told no one will be able to track you down.” The look he gave me had me replaying what I’d said to see if it was anything to warrant the strange expression on his face.
• “You have no idea, do you?” His jaw clenched.
• Crossing my arms, I tried to look bored. “About?” I flung my hand out to emphasize he should continue.
• “Who I am, what your involved with, who you’re working with?” He tipped the cup back and emptied it, then bent and set it on the floor.
• I just stood there, feeling stupid because he was right. I didn’t know. Most of what I thought I knew was from me fitting the pieces together—which had never been my strong suit. “Okay then, enlighten me.” I snapped, clinging to the hope that I had done the right thing.
• He stepped closer but stopped before he reached the barrier. With a smug look on his face he glared down at me. “My last name is not Royal, I am part of the royal family—” he titled his head, “like my father was a king and mother a queen.”
• If there was ever a moment I looked stupefied, now would have been it. “You’re royalty, like royalty? I thought it was a family name or gang or…” Oh my God I’d high-jacked a prince’s mind!
• He shook his head slowly.