“I love you.”
He let out a groan and then he was lifting me in his arms, stalking through the doorway, into his penthouse, and through to his bedroom, where he slowly laid me down on his bed. He handled me so gently, it was as if he thought I was suddenly breakable.
“This doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do all the time.”
“Quiet.” He nibbled on my lower lip.
“And I’m not going to give up my career for you.”
He laughed. “Of course not.” He pulled back long enough to strip off his clothes and my mouth went dry. I forced myself to raise my gaze to his face in an attempt to get my point across.
“I’m serious, Samael.”
“I know.” He let out a frustrated groan as he pulled my shirt and tank-top over my head. “So many clothes in my way.” His gaze got stuck on my breasts and the next groan that left him was a different sound entirely.
“I want you, little witch. Not a woman who will do everything I say without question. Although that might be an interesting experience for a few days.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, and he laughed, nuzzling my breasts. He unhooked my bra with deft movements, and a dark possessiveness slid into his eyes.
“I’ve had centuries of women doing as I said,” he told me. “None of them could hold my attention for more than a few weeks. You? You will be mine forever.”
I must be crazy, because the idea of being with the demon forever no longer scared the crap out of me. Well, only a little.
My earlobes burned as if they’d been set on fire. The bone bracelet tightened around my wrist, until it cut off my circulation, and the gold mark covering my arm heated until it felt as if it would burn me alive.
It was as if that one memory cracked something open inside of me, and new memories poured into me. One after another, after another. Meeting Samael. Hating him. Falling in love with him. Saving his life.
Then there was Evie, Vas, Kyla and Meredith. Recognition gave me back Keigan, Selina, and Hannah. Bael and all the other demons came next. I tumbled through space and time and finally, I saw Samael again as I knew him now. My bondmate. My love.
I wanted to scream out my fury, and I shook with it, the rage so encompassing, I teetered on the edge of sanity.
The Dearg Due slowly backed away from me, a hint of fear flashing across her face.
“Control yourself, witch, or your power will burn you alive. There’s no outlet for it while you’re wearing that monstrosity.”
I followed her gaze to the metal encircling my wrist. Now that the spell was broken, I could see it. And I could feel my power, raging below the surface—far below my shields, where I couldn’t access it.
Cellen did this. Lucifer had taken his sister, but the seelie hadn’t seemed broken up about the fact that he was leaving us at Lucifer’s mercy.
I would kill them all for this. I would burn this place to the ground and dance on the ashes, if that’s what it took. Bile burned up my throat as more memories trickled in. Lucifer hadprogramedme with that spell. He’d turned me into an unrecognizable version of myself, and he’d enjoyed it.
Oh yes. His amusement had been constant as he watched me. He’d been having a grand time.
And Gloria?
I let out a laugh that made the Dearg Due flinch.
I would make them rue the day they decided to come for me, oh yes I would.
“You’re bleeding, witch.”
I swiped a hand under my nose, wiping at the blood. Then I turned, stalking toward my friends.
Kyla snarled as I approached.
“It’s me. The real me.”
It took her a moment, and my chest clenched as the wild rage didn’t fade completely from her eyes. Lucifer was keeping her in wolf form, something that would eventually turn her feral. Panic clawed at me, and she showed me her teeth. Right. Werewolves enjoyed fear. My emotions wouldn’t help her keep control.
