Page 119 of Dark Lover

Sam decided not to answer. That page was his ticket to freedom, and maybe, to peace and happiness. Then she looked at Carlisle, who grinned. “Yes, I heard him. I heard you, too. You do realize your cooperation spares you a terrible ordeal and your eventual death?” Carlisle turned to the thugs. He nodded.

The three possessed men started toward them.

Sam knew that they were going to do something to Ian. “Stop!” she cried, panicking. “Whatever you intend, stop, because I said we would bring you the page!”

Ian knew they were coming for him, too, because he raised his hand in warning. Sam wondered how much power he could muster.

“If you try to use your power, I will use mine and we both know who will win,” Carlisle said calmly. “Seize him.”

Sam and Ian exchanged glances as two of the three men took Ian’s arms. He paled as his arms were twisted behind his back. And then she saw the needle.

“Absolutely not,” Sam cried. “That is not necessary! Carlisle, let Ian go. He has the page and he can bring it to you. You can keep me hostage until he does.”

“An interesting proposal,” Carlisle said. He nodded at the balding man who held the needle.

Sam cried out. Ian tried to twist away and dodge the needle, but he was held still by the other two. The third guard jammed the needle into his arm.

“What is that?” Sam demanded furiously. She was frightened, because Ian suddenly collapsed in the two thugs’ arms.

Carlisle watched as they laid him down on the hard floor. “A sedative, of course. A powerful one—after all, he’s Aidan of Awe’s son. The drug would kill a mortal, but he should survive it.”

“He’s lost a ton of blood!” Sam cried. “He needs a doctor or a Healer. He’s still bleeding, damn it!”

Carlisle laughed at her. “Bring me the page of illusion, Sam, and I will let him live.” He paused before her and touched her cheek. Sam flinched. “I might even restrain my own libido and my need to inflict pain for a while—if you hurry back.”

She couldn’t stand the notion of Ian being this demon’s prisoner for another second. “If you touch him while I’m gone, I won’t hand over the page.”

“I don’t take orders from anyone, not anymore. When the drug starts to wear off, he’ll need some encouragement to remain weakened and powerless, won’t he?”

He’d start torturing him even while he was on sedatives. The pain would be dulled, but not eradicated. “You sick, sadistic sonuvabitch,” she said.

“I’m a demon.” He was amused. “Pain excites me. Pain empowers me.” His gaze locked with hers. “And I like boys better than I do girls.”

Sam was thankful Ian was unconscious and couldn’t hear what the monk had said. “All right. I’ll bring you the page. Release me so I can get it. And we’ll arrange a transfer. The page for Maclean.” She swallowed. “I’ll have a medical team with me. I want him alive—and untouched.”

Carlisle remained amused. “You can’t dictate any terms to me. You love him. Don’t you know that is why you mortals will always lose to us? Your emotions get in the way of war. You’ll give me the page, even if I return him to you as he’s dying. Won’t you, Sam?”

For one moment, she looked at him in utter and helpless rage, speechless. He was right. If she returned and found Ian at death’s door, she’d still hand over the page.

On the floor, by their feet, Ian stirred. Sam instantly knelt. “I’m coming back for you, Ian.”

His lashes fluttered but his eyes did not open.

She laid her hand on his cheek. To her horror, he felt feverish. An infection was setting in from the pike wound. She looked up. “He needs a doctor, damn it. He needs antibiotics!”

“Then I guess you should hurry, shouldn’t you?”

Sam looked down and as she did, his eyes opened. Don’t give him more power.

“I have to,” she said. “I can’t leave you here.”

His glazed eyes flickered. Ye can leave me, Sam. Ye can walk out the door an’ walk away an’ never look back…

Did he want to be tortured? Did he want to die?

The monk grabbed her arm, dragging her to her feet. Sam shook him off violently. “If you don’t bring me the page, he will wish he were dead all over again.”

“I said I’d bring it.”