The killer butterflies multiplied inside my stomach, and my knees trembled.
Clearing my dry throat, I struggled to speak. “Why d-do you care?” I whispered into the dark.
A sinful, humorless laugh echoed, and his chest vibrated against mine. Sharp sensations traveled from my chest to my core.
Everything was on fire.
His lips lingered dangerously close to my ear. “Because—no other man is allowed to have you,” he said silkily.
The words were a punch to the gut, and my eyes slammed open.
I reared back and hit my head against the rocks by accident. A loud crack echoed, and Augustus swore.
Just what I needed on top of everything else, a concussion.
He pressed me harder against the wall so I couldn’t move. His grip was hard enough to bruise.
“What are you talking about, Professor?” I asked with genuine confusion.
What game is he playing?
The scent of electricity burned caustic in the air, like lightning had struck between us.
His fingers flexed and held me still.
“When Chthonic lives are at risk, it’s myjob as eldest heir to know everything,” Augustus said darkly. “Answer the question. Now.”
This is about my mentors. Why is everything always about Patro and Achilles becoming generals?
Blood-covered eyes glowed faintly in the dark, the only source of light.
Pressure burned behind my eyes. There was a stabbing sensation. “Tell me!” a foreign voice demanded inside my skull.
I ripped my gaze away and stared at the floor as throbbing pain pierced my head.
He’s trying to break my mind again.
Trembles shook my limbs, and my teeth chattered.
Long tense moments passed.
“Look at me!” Augustus ordered silkily out loud.
I didn’t obey.
Staring at the floor, I focused on not becoming a mindless zombie, which was becoming surprisingly hard these days.
The tension between us was a live wire of electricity, and our breaths were loud and labored.
I waited for him to attack.
He waited to make his attack.
His fingers dug harder into the bare skin of my biceps.
Everything was so confusing—my head spun.
I’m too tired for this.
