There had to be an answer on the pages.
Her pulse quickened as she refocused on the paper, finally reading the jarring words underneath the circle.
* * *
As suspected, Selma Lehman is a Breeder.
Application of the blinding mark removed her ability to see through my human disguise. Attachment of the breeding ring instantly enhanced her scent. She no longer fears me. No longer fears my presence; she will be ready for auction soon.
* * *
She didn’t read any further, because when her eyes darted over the word “auction” for the second time, trying to find some meaning in it that didn’t make her tremble, someone politely cleared their throat.
Selma jumped and tore her gaze from the paper, only to have it land on Dr. Hershey’s tall form looming by the door.
He cocked his head, giving her the impression of a cat watching a mouse, as a wry smile spread across his handsome face. This time he made no attempt at hiding the devious quirk to it.
“Why, Selma... whatever are you doing in my office this late? Is there something you wish to discuss?”
She swallowed thickly, ignoring the teasing note to his question. He knew without a shadow of a doubt what she’d seen.
“What did you do to me?” she whispered, trying her best to stop her hands from shaking. “What is that mark?”
He narrowed his amber eyes at her before twisting the doorknob so it locked with a menacing click. “That document was not for your eyes, sweetheart. But since you’ve seen it, I suppose you might as well learn what it means a little sooner than planned.”
Taking his time because there was nowhere for her to run, he walked toward her, his shadow growing larger with every step.
6
Selma
“What did you do?” Selma backed away from the desk. Through her fear of the man stalking toward her, a spike of anger rose, heating her chest and arms. “What did you do?”
He’d tricked her, had gained her trust with deceit and used her broken mind against her. For what gain she didn’t know, but the page with the diagram made it painfully clear that it wasn’t for anything pleasant.
“I took away your delusions. Isn’t that what you wanted?” He tilted his head as he assessed her movements, obviously calculating how much closer he could come before she’d dart around the desk. “Does anything else really matter?”
His silky tone only made her heart thrum harder against her ribs. It was deceitfully kind, just like the man himself. She kept retreating, maintaining her distance. “You’re dangerous!”
It was too late, of course. She should never have let her guard down around one of them, should have known that his caring words and manners were only meant to lure her in. Would anyone hear her if she screamed? The corridor had been deserted; they were likely the only souls in this part of the hospital.
“You will not be harmed.” His soothing words aside, he matched her retreat, keeping his body between her and the exit at all times. When her back hit the far wall and her eyes widened in terror, he stopped, leaving a few feet of space between them.
“Have I been anything but good to you yet, sweetheart?” There was a taunt in his smooth voice, one dark eyebrow curving up as if to suggest that she was being ridiculous when her gaze instinctively darted around the room in search of some way out. She found none.
“You lied.” Selma stared back up at the man who had her cornered. She set her jaw, hoping to convey something other than “weak female” to whatever instincts ruled him. “You took advantage of me.”
Though she tried to keep her voice calm, it held a shrill note that spoke of her fear as much as the tremble of her hands, emphasized by the rustle of paper clenched in her fist.
“Hmm, whatever do you mean? You no longer see demons, correct? I promised you as much.”
He took a step closer, causing her to flatten herself against the wall. So much for putting on a brave act.
“Y-You branded me!” She touched a hand to her forehead. “I saw it—in the mirror. You did this! Why?”
He glanced at her forehead with both eyebrows raised in what looked like genuine surprise before bracing an arm against the wall right next to her head. “You can see the mark? Oh, Selma… if only you knew how valuable you are.”
Her breath hitched at his sudden proximity. He really was very tall, and his broad shoulders caged her in from above as oppressively as the rest of him.
