Jen shrugged. The healer wasn’t wrong. Myanin mumbled something about cotton candy and turned her eyes away from Anna.

  “In summary,” Heather said, “Kara hasn’t been found, Lucian is out of his cell, Peri is off her rocker and hiding out in a realm full of dragons, and the veil to that realm is locked.”

  “Also,” Lilly added softly, “we have no idea how many of the Order leaders survived.”

  “Add Tenia and Torion, the fae and her son, to that list. We don’t know if they survived the cold fire. Maybe if Peri did, then she managed to get them out,” Myanin said, her voice strained as if it hurt to talk about the people she mentioned.

  Jen pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath. No worries. They had faced impossible odds before and beaten them. “It does suck,” Jen agreed, “but then, most things in life do.”

  “Agreed,” Anna, Stella, and Heather said in unison.

  “But that simply makes the victories even better.” Jen looked around the table. “And we have had many victories.”

  “Kicking ass is sort of our thing.” Jacque’s voice came from behind her. Jen turned to see her best friend walking in. She wore black boots, black jeans, and a black shirt and jacket. Her red hair had been tamed into a braid so it was away from her face. She looked ready for battle.

  “Damn straight it is.” Jen smiled.

  Sally stood up and walked over to Jacque. She wrapped her arms around her friend and gave her a quick squeeze then stepped back. “I’m pretty sure we’ve earned an advanced degree in kicking ass.”

  "A doctorate in ass kicking even," said Jacque.

  "Dr. Ass Kicker. I like the sound of that," added Jen.

  “You’re on a leave of absence from kicking ass, brown eyes,” Costin said from where he still sat. Sally rolled her eyes at him, and he gave her his trademark dimpled smile and winked.

  Lilly stood next and smiled at her daughter. “You’ve been kicking ass since you and Jen had it out in the front yard when you were three. I’ve no doubt we’ve got this.”

  "You kept the locks of hair we ripped out as keepsakes," said Jacque with a smile.

  The rest of the group around the table smiled and stood. Each of the fae pulled blades from various places on their person and laid them on the table. Each wolf turned toward Jacque and bared their necks to her. Jewel lifted her hands and lightning began to dance in her palms, jumping from finger to finger. Stella and Anna joined her. Then the two high fae both began to glow, the brightness filling the room like the noonday sun.

  “Why do I feel like I’m missing something?” Heather asked. She stood next to her mate, but her hands weren't raised like the other healers.

  “Wheeler power,” Stella said. “Light it up, Helen.”

  “Oh, right. This is a knight's round table moment, isn’t it?” Heather raised her hands, and her own lightning began to bounce around in her palms.

  “I usually go with The Fellowship of the Ring,” Jen said absently.

  “I like it.” Heather grinned.

  “No,” Jacque said, her voice strong as it filled the entire hall. “This is a moment for us. For those who need us. For those who have sacrificed for us. This is a moment for the pack.”

  “FOR THE PACK!” The voices around the table rose as one. Then those who weren’t at the table—the pack members, the sprites, and the fae—added their voices to the battle cry.

  When the room fell silent again, Jacque looked at Disir. “Now, let’s get that veil open and do what Peri has done so many times for us.”

  Chapter

  Eight

  “I don’t know his name, and I can’t see his face, but at night, when all is still and the darkness takes over the light, I hear his quiet voice. It soothes me. I dread the daylight because then he is gone, and the emptiness is overwhelming.” ~Kara

  * * *

  Kara didn’t have to turn around to know that Ludcarab had entered her room. The elf king’s power was familiar to her now. She’d been his prisoner for a little over a month now, at least that’s what the marks she’d made on the wall behind her door indicated. She wasn’t entirely sure they were accurate, however, because sometimes she felt as if she’d lost time, like maybe she’d blacked out for some reason. Oftentimes, she would find herself standing in the middle of the room or staring out of a window with no recollection as to how she got there or what she’d been doing.

  Though Kara knew he would stand there quietly until she turned and looked at him, she didn’t acknowledge the elf king right away. They were engaged in a not-so-subtle power struggle. When she’d realized his twisted tactic—that he always waited for her to face him before he greeted her—Kara had resolved to beat him at his own game. She tried to wait him out, hoping he’d leave if she didn’t do what he wanted. The longest she’d made it had been three hours. She realized then that someone as old as Ludcarab had, no doubt, endless patience. Life wasn’t a sprint to him; it wasn’t even a marathon. It was a thousand-mile hike across continents. She took a deep breath, hoping to ensure she wouldn’t vomit as she finally turned around. Her eyes met Ludcarab’s, and the desire in them nearly caused her to double over.

  “It has been long enough,” Ludcarab’s voice broke the silent stand-off. “You’ve been on the formula for a month. You should be ready.”

  Kara swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. The conversation Ludcarab and Alston had when they’d brought her here reverberated in her mind like a crashing gong. “It will do two things: ensure she is able to conceive and help make her mind even more susceptible to Tenia’s power.” She had no idea who Tenia was, nor did she particularly care, considering the woman had never shown up. She did, however, care about the fact that she’d continued to drink a liquid that a high fae claimed would make her able to conceive a child. Now, it looked as if the elf king had come to collect.

  “You told me that you could give me everything,” she said through gritted teeth. “You said you could lay the world at my feet. That I would want for nothing. You said you would protect me like I’d never been protected before.” Her jaw clenched as she stared at him. “Is this how you treat someone you claim to be willing to do all those things for? To force yourself on me?”

  The king took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He held out his hands in front of him, palms up as if in supplication. “Would I like for you to give yourself to me willingly? Of course. I have shown you kindness. I’ve provided for you. I’ve not harmed you. What more must I do in order for you to give yourself to me?”

  All of those things were true, except he had harmed her. He’d taken her from her home, from him, the one she couldn’t quite remember, but knew was her heart, her soul. There was an emptiness inside of her that she felt would swallow her whole. Kara fisted her hands at her side and straightened her spine. “There is nothing you could do. I will never willingly give myself to you.” Her chin rose as she watched emotions roll over his face. His lips pursed, making it obvious that he was not pleased with her response. His eyes narrowed, honing in on her as if she was his prey. She was pretty sure if she took a step back, he would pursue her.

  He dropped his hands and then folded them behind his back. “That is unfortunate. Regardless…” He reached back with one of his hands and snapped his fingers toward the door. “We must move forward.” Several female elves walked in, all with their eyes on the floor. “Get her ready. Then bring her to my chambers. She is to be prepared as my queen.”

  “As you wish,” the three women said in unison.

  When Kara looked away from the females, she nearly stumbled back. Ludcarab had moved and she hadn’t even realized it. He stood so close she could feel his breath on her face when he leaned down. He cupped her cheek in his hand, and his fingers were ice cold. So unlike another hand that she remembered cupping the same cheek, one that had been warm and welcomed.

  “This is happening, Kara,” he whispered. He made her name sound exotic as his voice took on an accent she didn’t recognize. “I promise you, it will be good. I will not hurt you. After tonight, you will be mine.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.

  Kara felt tears welling up in her eyes but squeezed them tight, not wanting any to fall. When she opened them, a single drop rolled slowly down her cheek. “You might have my body,” she said as she took a step away from him and out of his touch, “but I will never be yours.”

  “I’ve got nothing but time. And it is amazing what time can change.” He turned without another word and strode from the room.

  Kara’s brain worked overtime. She watched the three women begin to move around the room. One pulled clothing from a closet, and another headed into the bathroom. Kara heard water running in the opulent bathtub. Moments later, a sweet aroma flowed from the bathroom as steam billowed out. Kara stared and wondered if they were going to try to boil her alive. How hot was that water to produce that much steam? And why was she worried about the damn temperature of the water when she’d just been told she’d be sleeping with Ludcarab that very night?

  “Shock,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m in shock.” Kara took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She closed her eyes and tried for the millionth time to see the face of the man she knew meant the world to her but seemed just out of her reach.

  “My lady.”

  One of the three elves. Kara’s eyes snapped open, and she looked at the woman.

  “My name is Dyna,” the she-elf said. Her flowing hair was a deep, rich red. Her eyes held something Kara couldn't identify—kindness or maybe sadness. “This is Coya.” Dyna motioned to another female attendant. This one was blessed with hair just as long but sleek black. “And that’s Reena.” She pointed to the third elf. This one had shorter hair that only reached the middle of her back instead of her waist. It was the same black as Coya’s. Both of the females bowed their heads to her but then went about their tasks without a word.

  Kara nodded to them and then looked back at Dyna. “This is going to sound rude, but why do you work for him?” She motioned to the door where Ludcarab had walked through. “He’s a monster.”

  Dyna dropped her eyes to the fabric in her hands. She went to the bed and laid out the dress—if you could call the tiny bundle of skimpy, see-through fabric a dress. After a few moments, she snorted. "I could ask you why you’re here, Kara.”

  “I’m a prisoner,” Kara bit out, her temper rising at the thought of anyone thinking she would actually choose to be with someone like the elf king.

  Dyna’s green eyes snapped to hers. “What makes you think we are not?” The elf held out her arm. Kara noticed something she hadn't seen before—tattoo-like bands around the woman's wrists. Kara glanced down at the similar marks that encircled her own wrists. Then she looked over at Reena and Coya. Both women held their arms out for inspection. The same patterns.

  Shame filled Kara as she realized that she’d done exactly what she thought Dyna was doing to her. “I’m sorry,” Kara whispered. “I shouldn’t have assumed.”

  Dyna waved her off. “We take no offense.” She motioned Kara toward the bathroom. “We all have a story, some uglier than others. But now is not the time to tell them. Right now you have to prepare yourself for your king.”

  “He is not my king,” Kara said a little harsher than she meant to.

  Dyna’s eyes narrowed, though she looked determined, not angry. “If you want to live, you will make him believe he is.”

  Kara's eyes widened. When the elf didn't elaborate, Kara frowned and marched toward the steam-filled room. “He’s not hurt me since I’ve been here.”

  Reena made a snorting sound, and Dyna clucked her tongue at the she-elf.

  “What?” Reena said softly. “He’s been giving her that poison.”

  “Hush!” Dyna snapped, her eyes like ice as she stared at Reena. “You would do well to remember that the walls have ears.” She looked at Coya and then Kara. “You would all do well to remember that.”

  Kara couldn’t help but glance around the room. This was something she hadn't considered. Were there cameras? Did they even have cameras in this nightmarish fantasy land she found herself? Perhaps they used other creatures. Were invisible pixies hiding on the walls, reporting back to Ludcarab about every move she made? Kara shook her head. She was being ridiculous. But she was also losing her mind, that much she knew. So maybe imagining pixies on the wall wasn’t such a stretch.

  “Reena,” Dyna said, her voice firm. “Begin.”

  Kara looked at the dark-haired female. The woman began to chant. Her voice was smooth like silk. It ebbed and flowed as words Kara didn’t understand filled the room. Coya joined her. Her voice was a little deeper but harmonized pleasantly with Reena’s.

  Dyna gently pushed Kara the rest of the way into the bathroom. The room was dim, a collection of randomly placed candles providing the only light. Steam danced hypnotically through the air. Incense burned on the edge of the large, ornate tub. Since she’d been in captivity, she’d only used the shower in the bathroom and paid little attention to the tub. Now that she was looking at it, she saw that it was made from gold and contained etchings of words on the outside. The words were written in a language she didn’t know, but she assumed it must be elvish. She saw the words were beginning to glow. Okay, she was sure that had never happened before.

  Dyna joined the other two in the chant, and Kara felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Goose bumps rippled across her skin as the elves' voices flowed around her. She sensed power rising in the room. It felt similar to the kind of power that Peri had exhibited, except twisted somehow, dark and forbidden. The women began to help her out of her clothes, and Kara was so caught up in the sound of their voices that she didn't even think to be embarrassed about her nakedness in front of the three women.

  Reena held her right hand and Dyna held her left, leading her to the tub. They helped her balance as Kara stepped into the water. It was hot against her flesh, so hot that she should have snatched her foot back. But even though she knew the water was too hot, her brain couldn't command her body to do what it wanted. Instead, Kara put the other foot in and then eased herself down until she sat on the tub floor. Kara’s mind screamed at the temperature, and anywhere the water touched, her skin turned bright red.

  The chanting continued, while Dyna poured small vials of liquids into the water.

  “What are those?” Kara asked. Her voice sounded dreamy to her ears. She ran her hand over the top of the water where some of the liquid had landed and settled on the surface as little, shimmering circles.

  “Simple oils. Lavender, sandalwood, and clary sage,” Dyna replied while Reena and Coya continued to chant. “They will help your desire grow.”

  This seemed to clear a bit of the fog in Kara's brain. She grunted. “It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than a few snake oils for me to even develop a desire for that man, much less for one to grow."

  The she-elf ignored her. Dyna retrieved a much larger bottle from somewhere Kara couldn't see. She opened it and began to pour it over the top of Kara’s head. “Close your eyes,” she commanded.

  Kara wanted to scream. She wanted to jump out of the tub and snatch up her clothes. She wanted to run, to pound on the door until someone came and rescued her. She wanted to fling herself out the window—anything to escape what was coming. But she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to do any of those things, she couldn't move. Instead, she obeyed, closing her eyes with a soft sigh.

  The warm liquid flowed down Kara’s hair, onto her shoulders, and down her back and chest. “This is hyssop, to cleanse and purify you before you join with the king.”

  Kara shuddered. She tried to keep her mind blank, not wanting to think about what “joining” was to come. She wanted to sink so deep inside of herself that at least her mind wouldn't experience the sensation of the touch of a man she didn’t want. He might violate her body, but she was determined he wouldn't reach her soul. The chanting around her combined with the aromas lulled her further into a trance. She searched for something familiar, something that would bring her comfort in this time of utter terror. Kara had been trying to tell herself that she would not let fear rule her, but she’d also thought somehow she’d be free before Ludcarab could follow through with his intentions.

  All too soon, Dyna took her hand. “Rise,” she instructed softly. Like a robot, Kara's body obeyed. She stood and stepped from the bathtub. Kara felt as if she stood on the outside of her body, observing herself, watching the mechanical motions of the pliant, sandy brown-haired girl while the three elf women dried her wet skin. Coya ran a comb through Kara’s thick hair, the oil making it shiny and smooth.

  When they’d finished drying her, Reena sprayed Kara’s skin with something that made it shimmer. It looked like tiny flecks of glitter, causing the candlelight to make her sparkle as she moved. She raised her head and looked at the girl staring back at her out of the mirror. Kara might have thought herself to be beautiful with her shiny hair and glowing skin flushed from the hot water. But she remembered the reason for the pampering. Instead of feeling beautiful, she felt dirty.

  Once again, Dyna took her hand. She led Kara from the bathroom and back into the lavish bedroom. Coya picked up the gown that had been placed on the bed earlier. “Raise your arms, my lady."

  Kara did so without arguing. There was no point. The gown slipped over her hands, down her arms, and over her head. As it cascaded down her body, Kara shivered. This was not how she’d imagined the moments leading up to losing her virginity. Her brow drew low on her face, and she tried to remember how or when she’d even thought about what her first time might look like. It wasn’t like she’d had a lot of time to think about such things when she’d been in foster care. She’d been too busy trying to survive unscathed. But then something had happened. Kara knew it had; she just couldn't quite remember what it was. Someone, she thought, had come into her life, someone who had made her consider something so special and intimate. The more she tried to remember, the further it slipped from her mind.