Marcus’s grip on my arm tightens. “Elaine, get the fuck out of here now!” he barks.
Elaine finally drops the light and cackles. “Oh, my Goddess! Did you really think that no one would recognize you?” She laughs again, and the group of girls join in. “It took me a while, but I knew exactly who you were when I saw your eyes.”
I frown. She recognizes me?
“Clever girl, thinking you could run away from your territory and manipulate your way into the royal family. Thought you could steal my Luke from me, did you?”
I roll my eyes. I’m sure Luke told her all about how I plan to hurt and steal from his family. He hates me. They probablylaughed behind my back when he shared how he caught me red-handed giving Charlie my V-card and then running off with Liam right after.
Electricity tingles in my palms. No, no, no, not here. Not now. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to concentrate on something else. I don’t care where she thinks she recognizes me from or what Luke told her. I don’t want a confrontation. My instincts scream to stay away from her, but I can’t leave. Marcus traps me against the railing, while Dustin blocks from the side.
“You smell so good,” Dustin whispers, tugging on a lock of my hair. “Just say the word and I can get you out of here, away from the drama queen.”
Elaine scoffs, pushing Dustin away.
My hand begins to throb. “Stay away from me,” I grit through clenched teeth.
“Why? You going to use your magic on me, magic wielder?” She glares at me, a knowing smirk spreading across her face. “I don’t know how you survived, but the Resistance will come for you once I tell them where you are.” Suddenly, ice chills the blood in my veins, and I stand still in shock. “Oh, they’ll come for you, and they will kill anyone who even thinks about protecting you. Is that what you want? To take down the entire royal family and the guards?”
I am frozen to my core. I want to throw up. Luke was right. I’ll hurt his family,myfamily. I squeeze my eyes shut as a single tear slides down my cheek.
A vibration buzzes against my arm. The group’s echoing maniacal laughter fills my head. They have me. There is nothing I can do if I want to keep my family safe, except to submit.
Elaine grips my chin, forcing me to look at her. “I’ll make you a deal. We’ll keep your secret if you do everything we tell you to, which includes telling Marcus where Boris is.”
Bile rises in my throat. I want to hurt them, but what choice do I have? I glance over to Marcus, smiling like he won, and turn back to Elaine’s smug expression. Fear and panic grip me, making it impossible to breathe. Her lips move, but the rapid thud of my heartbeat drowns out her words.
Something flits across my vision—no, in my head. Beyond the deafening roar, I hear a cacophony of voices. I heartheirvoices. I unclench my hands and bring them to my ears. I hear every thought, every plan. Elaine’s only concern is how she will use me to get to Luke. She will ruin me if I don’t comply.
The worst plans, though, come from Marcus. He doesn’t plan to merely torture me. He plans toownme.
I lose myself to the overwhelming, messy disorientation in my head. I gasp for breath. I do not have control over this situation. I don’t know how to gain the upper hand.
I own you, bitch!Those four words ring through my head, echoing from both Marcus and Elaine.
Unexpectedly, I am wrenched from Marcus’s arms.
A large body wraps around me. The strong smell of bergamot, mixed with dirt and freshly cut grass, infiltrates my senses. My throat instantly opens, and my heartbeat slows. I take another deep breath, and the deafening roar of voices dissipates. Before I gain my bearings completely, I am yanked behind a strong wall of muscle.
“What the fuck do you all think you are doing? You dare threaten the Princess in her own home!”
I blink a few times. My gaze travels up the back of the man standing before me, protecting me. He’s so tall, with blond hair. It’s Luke.
In my periphery, long strands of glossy black hair wisp past me. I step out from behind Luke, intending to clasp onto Emily. I want to pull her back, but I’m too late. Without missing a beat, Emily punches Elaine in the face. Blood splatters down her faceand onto her dress. Emily turns and punches the girl I thought was Liam’s girlfriend, Cassie, running to Elaine’s side.
Elaine wails, “Emily Blackguard, I’m going to kill you! You mark my words!”
“Whatever, bitch. Like I’m afraid of you,” Emily grinds out, looking bored with her arms folded across her chest. She tilts her head to the side, reminding me of Ean and Elias.
“All of you need to get the fuck off my territory right now!” Luke roars. Thundering footsteps approach behind me. The guards are here.
Chapter 7
When the Past Returns
JESSICA
Present Day
