Unable to sit any longer, I begin pacing the room. As much as I want out of here, I’m not willing to beg. I refuse to make any of this easy on Lethe or the rest of the clan. Keeping women captive is wrong on so many levels. If I accept it, then it’s as if I’m giving them my consent to keep me here.
My lips flatten as I look around the room that I hate. There’s nothing in here that I like. It doesn’t represent anything except the person they want me to be.
Fuck that.
I walk to the dresser and grab the lamp. If I’m going to be stuck in here, I’ll be damned if they try to cover up the reality of what they’re doing. I turn and heave the lamp across the room as hard as I can. It hits the wall with a loud thud and drops to the carpet.
That was disappointing.
The jewelry box catches my attention, and I snatch it up and throw it at the door. This time, I am pleased to hear the crash and shatter of glass and porcelain. Much better. Destroying the contents of the room is giving me an outlet for my anger, and I begin trashing everything that I can. I shatter vases and other stupid stuff that has no place in this room.
The tray on the bed catches my attention, and I stalk towards it and pick up the plate.
“Enough!” I hear a familiar masculine voice roar.
I startle badly and look up, the plate held in my hand as syrup drips off it to the floor below.
Lethe stands in the doorway, and he looks furious.
Without giving it a second thought, I throw the plate at his head as hard as I can. He dodges it and starts walking towards me in a predatory manner.
My eyes widen, and I grab the tray, brandishing it as a weapon as I back up a step. I’m not actually expecting him to tackle me, so when he lunges at me with his body, I’m caught completely off guard. I fall backwards onto the mattress with a scream, and the tray flies from my fingers. My wrists are immediately caught above my head, and Lethe’s body comes down on top of mine, effectively pinning me.
“Lethe?” I hear Cassius ask from the doorway.
Lethe’s eyes are glowing with fire as he glares down at me. “Leave us and shut the door,” he says calmly.
We hear the door shut.
The shock of his physical attack has worn off, and I begin to furiously struggle beneath him.
“Stop being a brat,” he grits out, tightening his grip on my wrists.
“I’ll stop when you breathe your last breath,” I say waspishly. I buck beneath him, trying to throw his bodyweight off me. His knee suddenly pushes between my legs, and his hips sink into mine, bringing our bodies together intimately.
The air in my lungs halts as an unfamiliar feeling courses through me at the feel of his hard body resting so intimately against mine. I’m wearing another pair of lounge pants, so it’s just thin fabric between me and the hardness beneath his jeans. Suddenly, I have this urge to undulate against him—to feel that hard body working against mine.
When I realize this, I stiffen beneath him and go completely still as I struggle against the searing attraction that’s stirring in my blood.
Lethe’s face is inches from mine, the fire still swirling in his heated gaze. “No need to stop. I was quite enjoying that.”
“Fuck you,” I hiss. I don’t care how sexy he is or how much my traitorous body wants him, I am going to find a way to kill the arrogant bastard.
His lips curve in a cunning smile. “I’m game if you are.” He deliberately grinds his hips slowly against me, and my breath hitches.
“Stop it,” I whisper, and I hate that I am losing the anger in my voice.
The fire in his eyes slowly extinguishes itself. “Are you ready to act like an adult now?”
I tilt my chin defiantly, glaring up at him. “Someday, you’re going to be powerless, whether it be physically or emotionally. When that time comes, I hope you think of me and the other women you’ve made decisions for. I believe in karma, and you’re well past due for payback.”
He scowls down at me, and then I watch as his eyes shift to my wrists that he’s still pinning above my head. He blinks, and his expression darkens. “What the hell have you done?” He swiftly sits up, forcing me with him. I try to yank my wrists from his grip, but he refuses to release me as he stares at my bloody skin. I watch his lips part, and regret flickers across his handsome features.
It’s that regret that has me staring at him with surprise. He seems genuinely upset that I’ve hurt myself.
Without a word, he rises to his feet, gently pulling me with him. I’m confused by this softer, kinder side of him, so I allow him to lead me to the bathroom. He walks me over to the toilet, and with a snap of his wrist, he pushes the lid down. “Sit, so I can take care of your injuries.”
Curious now, I lower myself to the lid, and Lethe releases me as he opens the cupboard beneath the sink and rummages around. He pulls out a medical kit and sets it on the counter before retrieving a cloth and dampening it under the faucet.
He turns back to me and squats down, holding out a hand for one of my wrists. After a moment of hesitation, I give him what he wants. I watch as he patiently cleans away the blood to see how bad my injuries are. “The other cuffs are almost ready. Maverick just needs to tweak a few things, and then we’ll get these off you,” he says in an emotionless voice.
“You can’t keep me cuffed and locked up the rest of my life,” I tell him in a flat voice.
He glances at me, his eyes cool as he reaches for the antiseptic cream. “Stop fighting us, and we wouldn’t have to do this to you.”
“I will never stop fighting for what I believe in,” I say fiercely.
“Freedom for a drakon female is nothing more than a fantasy,” he clips out. He sets aside the cream and picks up gauze and a roll of medical tape.
I yank my wrist from his grip. “I can do the rest,” I say stiffly, deciding I no longer want his help.
His jaw tightens, and he lithely rises to his feet as he looks down at me. “Cassius will bring in a few garbage bags tomorrow morning. You can live in the mess that you’ve made for the day, and in the morning, clean it up. When you’re ready to have a civil conversation, use the intercom and ask for me.” With that said, he turns on his heel and walks out of the bathroom.
Thirteen
Lethe
After I lock Arista’s door, I turn and find Evie has approached me while my back was turned. She gives me a provocative smile. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
My mind is on the woman inside the room, and I give her a curt nod. “Good, thanks. Have a good evening.” I turn and stride across the living room, and my eyes rest on Tenley, who stands there with a concerned expression on her face. Cassius had told me earlier that she’s been worried about Arista. “She’s fine,” I assure her, and she nods.
I take the elevator down to the first floor and think of Arista’s wounds on her wrists. They weren’t severe, or I would have taken her to Anton. But still… It bothers me that she refuses to see that this clan is what’s best for her. I’ve never met a more stubborn female. Most drakon women are quick to obey for fear of repercussions. Then again, Arista didn’t grow up in a clan, so she’s never suffered the abuse that most women endure.
The elevator doors open, and I walk down the hall towards the recreational part of the warehouse. Earlier, Maverick had wanted to speak with me in private about something important. Before he could begin, Cassius had interrupted us with news that Arista was demolishing her living quarters. Last I’d seen, Maverick was headed to the refrigerator in the kitchen, likely about to feed his face until I was free to speak with him. Sure enough, he’s still there, only now he’s drinking a beer and caught up in a conversation with Killian.
Maverick looks up and spies me.
I nod my head, signaling that I’m ready to speak with him when he’s finished. Then, I head for my study. After I’ve poured myself a drink, I settle in behind my desk and frown.
There’s a heavy feeling in my chest, and I know my days of
sex and debauchery are soon coming to an end. I’d known the second that Arista could wield fire that I wouldn’t mate her off to anyone else. The men in this clan respect me, and they’d fight to the death if I asked them to. So far, I’ve done a damned good job protecting them and making a life for us here in the United States. I’m not going to throw it all away so that one of them can take my place. Sure, Knox and Kai can be cold bastards, but I can’t imagine them actually leading the clan. Nor can I see Maverick taking over for me. He’s too much of a playboy and too easygoing with them all. If the others aren’t at least a little frightened of him, then he’s no good as a leader.
After setting my glass on the desk, I massage the back of my neck. Arista’s going to be a fucking headache that I’d like to avoid. Unfortunately, if I want to keep my position here and bring Davina home, I’m going to have to take that little spitfire as my mate.
I recall the feel of her body beneath mine, her legs spread and hips cradling mine perfectly. I admit the sex will likely be pretty damned good, and that’s a relief. I find her sexy, and I remember the widening of those yellow-green eyes of hers as she’d realized just what her wiggling was doing to me. Maybe having sex with one woman for the rest of my life won’t be so bad—as long as she keeps my interest. Her fiery eyes flash in my mind. I don’t think I have to worry about that.
A brief knock sounds from the other side of the door, and it opens as Maverick steps in the room, firmly closing it behind him. He walks to the chair across from my desk and lazily drops into it. “We’ve got big problems,” he tells me bluntly, getting straight to the point.
“What’s going on?”
“Davina’s pregnant,” he announces in a terse tone.
Silence fills the room as I process what he’d said. We haven’t heard from Nearic in months, so I’d just assumed everything was the same there. Nearic hadn’t wanted to leave the clan with us, but he’s remained a loyal friend and has been keeping us informed on how Davina’s doing.
“Davina’s pregnant,” I slowly repeat, trying to wrap my head around my baby sister becoming a mother. Her pregnancy changes our timeline for getting her out of there. “How far along?”
Maverick gives me a grim look. “A month or two shy of giving birth.”
I straighten in the chair, scowling. “And we’re just now finding out about this?”
“Nearic had a hard time getting away so he could send word about the pregnancy. You know that if Victor becomes suspicious that there’s a spy in the clan, and he happens to suspect Nearic, he’ll kill him without a second thought.”
Shit. When it rains, it fucking pours. I reach for my glass and finish the rest of the whiskey I’d poured earlier.
“We have to go get her, Lethe. You can’t let that child be born in that place. Davina wouldn’t want that,” Maverick says as emotion roughens his voice.
“I know.” I run a weary hand over my jaw. “I need to mate with Arista and hope it triggers the armor,” I say heavily.
Maverick gives me a look. “That could take weeks or months.”
I think back to how her body had responded to mine before she could hide it. “You could be wrong on that. I’ll speak with her first, see where she stands with the whole situation.”
“I can already tell you she’s going to tell you to go fuck yourself.”
“Probably, but I need to be careful with how I proceed. I’ll be stuck with her for life,” I remind him.
“Yeah, I don’t envy you that.”
Fourteen
Arista
After I clean the last remains of the mess I’d made yesterday, I set the bags near the door and sigh. At least cleaning had kept me busy for a while this morning. I know Lethe had told me to request to see him when I’m ready to talk, but instead of going to the intercom, I walk to the bed and sit down.
Yesterday, I’d given into my frustration. I can’t let that happen again. When I get that angry, that’s when mistakes are made. I reach up and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, my right wrist protesting. Even bandaged, they hurt like a bitch. The heaviness of the cuffs just seems to aggravate the scrapes even more. I recall Lethe’s unexpected show of kindness as he’d tried to tend to them himself, and I frown. He’s easier to hate when he’s being an obnoxious asshole.
My eyes scan the now barren room but for the mirror above the dresser and the one lamp that I’d salvaged—which is now on the nightstand. If I want to get out of this room, I’m going to have to find out what Lethe wants.
I’m not stupid. He’s going to want something in return for my ability to move around the women’s quarters. I’m sure I’m not going to like it, but I at least need to act like I’m willing to discuss my options. My failed escape has them watching me closely now, and I need to give them a reason to lighten my security. Yesterday’s moment of madness definitely hadn’t won me any favors.
If I could just find a weak spot again…
Damn.
That garbage bin plan had gone down perfectly. I’m beyond irritated that even several states away, they’d still been able to drag me back. I think the next time I escape, I’m going to have to leave the country. Unfortunately, if I do that, I’ll never have a chance of seeing Brin and Andi again. I guess I’ll deal with that dilemma when I have a reason to sort it out. Right now, I have no chance of escaping.
With a resigned sigh, I rise to my feet and walk to the side of the bed where the call button is located. I might as well get this over with so I can quit dreading it. I also mentally warn myself not to lose my temper in front of Lethe. He seems to find it more amusing than anything. I press the button and wait.
“Yes?” an unfamiliar male voice answers.
“I’d like to speak with Lethe,” I stiffly say into the speaker.
“He’s currently off the premises, but I’ll be sure to let him know you’re asking for him when he returns,” the voice says kindly.
The friendly voice has surprised me. “Okay. Thanks,” I add awkwardly.
I hear a click, and I move away from the box.
Feeling bored, I lie on the bed since there’s nothing to do. Where does Lethe go when he’s not here at the warehouse? How can they afford such a nice place? I need to start asking more questions, because I know absolutely nothing about this clan. I hadn’t been interested before, because I’d been forming my escape plan. But now that I probably won’t be leaving as soon as I’d hoped, it might be wise to gather as much information as I can.
* * *
It’s not until much later when a curt knock sounds on the outside of my door. I look up from where I’m sitting on the bed, and I watch as the door opens to reveal Lethe standing there. He studies me for a moment, and his expression is impossible to read. “Would you prefer to talk in here, or would you like some fresh air and discuss your issues in my study?”
As much as I hate accepting anything from him, I want a change of scenery. “Your study,” I say a bit stiffly.
His eyes narrow on me. “You try anything at all, and I swear to God I will build you a room the size of a closet and lock you in it permanently,” he threatens.
I decide to ignore his threat as I ease off the bed and walk towards him. I’m wearing one of the stupid dresses from the drawer because the room seems warm today. It’s a red sundress, and I feel foolish wearing something so nice. I hesitate and glance at my bare feet.
“Are your feet cold?” he inquires.
“No. Should I grab shoes?” I reluctantly ask. All the shoes that have been supplied for me are flat sandals—the dressy kind.
“No need. The floors are clean. Ready?”
“Yes.”
He motions for me to walk ahead of him, and I rigidly step out of the room. I see Evie lounging on the couch, and I swear she’s trying to pose as sexy as she can while watching a movie on the TV. Her blue eyes slide towards us, and when her eyes land on me, her pouty lips visibly tighten.
Lethe says nothing behind me, and we cross the living room
and head to the double doors. I open one of them and enter the small foyer. After Lethe closes the door to the women’s quarters, he strides to the elevator and types in a code. He glances at me. “Memorize it all you want; I’ll be changing the code as soon as you’re back in your room.”
I smartly keep my thoughts to myself.
When the elevator arrives, we step inside, and Lethe presses the button for the first floor. We both are silent as the elevator descends to the lower level, and then the doors smoothly slide open.
Lethe escorts me into the hall, and we walk to his study. Once we enter the familiar red room, I walk to the chair situated in front of the desk without being asked. I’d prefer to sit of my own accord rather than being told to do so.
“Thirsty?” Lethe asks, pausing by the table with the liquor.
My eyebrows lift. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“No. I am offering you water.”
Actually, cold water sounds nice. “Water’s fine,” I murmur.
He nods, and I watch as he opens the bottom of the table that happens to be a refrigerator. He pulls out a bottle of water and pours it into a clear glass. When he brings it over to me, I accept it and take a small sip.
Lethe moves to stand before me, pulling a pair of slim, golden bracelets from the back pocket of his jeans. “Let’s get the cuffs switched first. Give me your wrist.”
I stare at the slim bracelets, a fine line developing between my eyebrows. “Those aren’t going to be permanent, are they?”
“No. But right now, no one in this place trusts you.”
My eyes lift to his. He’s staring down at me as he patiently waits for me to hold out a wrist, his expression giving nothing away.
Captive (Igniting the Flame Book 1) Page 9