His shoulders slumped, and it took me a moment to realize that he was relieved. When his black eyes met mine again, he smiled. The curve of his lips was small, but it was enough to take me aback. It was the first time I’d seen the daemon commander smile.
“If that is the case,” he said. “Then, I will take you to the general right now.”
He walked across the kitchen to the pantry and went inside. I stared after him, completely confused.
A few seconds later, he stuck his head out the door. “You will need to follow me, Lady Leda,” he stated.
Cautious, I walked over to the pantry. I’d only been inside twice because Masu ran me out of here every time I tried to come in, claiming that it was her space.
Guldan waited inside, his hand resting on a shelf at the back of the room. He reached over and pushed in on one of the planks that made up the wall. There was a loud click, and the shelf in his hand moved backward, revealing a dark passageway with a set of steps descending.
“What is that?” I asked, the hair on the back of my neck standing up.
“The entrance into the root cellar.”
“And why are we going down there?” Once again, my fingers skimmed the handle of the dagger.
“Because that is where General Bokkan is.”
Confused and more than a little nervous, I gestured for Guldan to go down first. “I’ll follow after you.”
I wasn’t sure I completely trusted him, but I was out of options for now. A small smirk tugged at his mouth, but the daemon gave me his back and began walking down the steps leading into the cellar.
Swallowing hard, I followed him into the darkness.
Chapter
Thirty-Five
Bokkan
The whispers in my mind were all-consuming and never-ending.
Hunt. Mate. Brand.
My chin rested on my chest as I collapsed back against the wall. The shackles and chains around my wrist and ankles clanked. My muscles ached from fighting the bonds when the urges overwhelmed my control.
I could still smell Leda on my skin. Washing her away would have been the smart thing, but I was not ready to let her go yet.
Need mate. Want mate.
I growled, trying to drown out the voices in my head. I must resist. Leda returning home was best for her. That was all that mattered. I only wished I had been strong enough to take her to the witch myself. To see her and speak to her one last time.
The dim cellar was the best place to ride out the onset of the madness. It would keep others safe from me until I came back to myself… or had to be put down like a rabid animal.
When the door to the cellar opened, I kept my head down and eyes closed. It was probably Guldan or Masu coming to tell me that Leda was gone. Until her scent hit me.
She was here.
MATE!
Before I could control the urge, I was on my feet and straining against the shackles holding me. My lips peeled away from my fangs in a snarl as I watched Guldan descend the stairs.
Where was she?
I growled at him, my arms aching as I tried to reach out for him. What had he done to her?
Then, there were more footsteps on the stairs. Lighter. Softer. Yet still determined.
