“I’m outside your door.” His voice came through the speaker. “It’s locked.”

“Emergency breakthrough!” I shouted.

The door clicked, and Benedict stumbled through, catching himself on the wall. “Damn, I was in the middle of trying to muscle it open.” He shook his head and then took in the scene. “Whoa. Okay.”

“You make one fucking joke, and I swear I’ll tear your bloody head off and leave you out to suntan.” I glared at him, but my eyes were having trouble focusing.

“Noted.” He took a blanket from the end of the bed and tossed it over my mid-section, covering me. “No one needs to see that.”

“Was that a joke?” My eyes narrowed.

“Never.” He examined the cuffs and swore under his breath. “Valor?”

“Who the fuck else would be in my chamber or close enough to chain me to the bed?” I snapped.

“Temper, temper,” he replied. “Did she tell you where the key is?” His brow furrowed in thought.

“You mean while she was cuffing me to my own bed?” I yanked at the chains.

“You make a good point. We’re going to need Hawke.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Absolutely not. Figure it out.”

“I’m just saying that male is into some kinky shit and might just know—”

“Absolutely. Not.” Hawke would never let me live this down.

“Okay, then.” Benedict shook his head and looked over the room, his gaze scanning every surface. “Right there.” He walked over to my dresser and plucked a key from the top of it. “Looks like your mate didn’t want you to suffer. She just wanted to delay you.”

“So she could get a head start,” I muttered, swallowing back my panic as the pieces clicked into place.

“Figured it was something like that.” Benedict unlocked one wrist, and the shackle fell away, tumbling to the floor. “That mate of yours is a firecracker. Good luck.” He snorted with a small laugh as he walked to the other side of the bed.

“Just wait until it’s your turn,” I grumbled, already feeling the strength return to my left arm.

“Me? Hell no. Not that I’m against mating. It’s a great practice. But if fate really matches you with the woman you need, then mine will be a sweet, biddable little thing who listens when I tell her to keep her ass safe in the house.” He unclicked the lock. “Fate knows anything else would drive me up a fucking wall.”

The shackle fell to the ground, and I took my first pain-free breath since they’d snapped into place. “That’s better.” I took breath after breath, feeling the power flood through me, restoring me to full strength.

“I’ll…uh…wait in the hall.” Benedict put the key on my chest. “You should keep that somewhere close by for the next time she decides you’re inconvenient.” He flashed a grin and disappeared into the hallway before I could beat the shit out of him.

Mostly because I knew he was right.

I dressed in record time and strapped up, choosing my favorite weapons as I glanced at the clock. She’d had a half-hour head start.

Fuck.

Yanking my hair out of the way with an elastic band, I strode into the hallway, fully clothed and armed. “Let’s go.”

Benedict smothered a smile, then followed.

The bond was…still faded, as though I was still bound by the iron. Maybe it took a while to come back after being exposed to the metal? But I knew from even that miniscule connection that Valor was no longer on the estate. I couldn’t even scent her.

Hawke, Alek, Ransom, and Lyric’s voices came from the dining room.

“She insisted we eat,” Benedict muttered from behind me.

I pushed my way through the French doors and stared down the table, which was laid out like a feast.

“And I love that you care,” Alek was saying, lifting his mate’s fingers to his lips. “But we have to get going, love.”

Lyric’s expression froze when she caught sight of me, her smile falling away.

Gotcha.

Looked like Valor hadn’t been alone in her plan.

“There you are,” Ransom gestured at me. “Grab something to eat. The men are gathering in the courtyard, and we have twenty minutes before we need to wend to the rendezvous point for Xavier.” He stuffed another piece of bacon in his mouth.

“Where did she go?” I growled at Lyric.

Every head swung my way.

“You might want to alter your tone,” Alek warned, coming to his feet. “That’s your queen.”

“Well aware.” I spared him a glance, and whatever he saw in my eyes was enough to send his gaze skittering toward his mate.

“What is he talking about?” he asked Lyric.

She swallowed.

“Where is she, Lyric?” I gripped the back of a chair, reminding myself that Lyric wasn’t the one who had chained me to the bed. She didn’t deserve my wrath. But it was clear to see that she knew. She’d known and had done nothing.

“I’m not exactly sure,” she said slowly.

Tags: Samantha Whiskey Onyx Assassins Fantasy
Source: readsnovelonline.net