CIAN
The terms settled over me like chains.
He was not just asking for protection. He was asking for immunity. Complete and total, extending to everyone I had ever known or would ever know. If I agreed to this, I would be powerless to stop him. He could walk away, disappear, do whatever he wanted, and I would have to let him because the alternative was losing Fia.
My wolf howled in rage, throwing itself against the inside of my skull.
"Sure." I took a step forward, forcing my voice to stay level. "Let us mark it in blood."
"No, no." Valentine jerked back, the blade pressing harder against Fia's throat. Another thin line of red appeared. "Stay back. Her blood is enough."
He leaned in close, his lips nearly touching her hair, and whispered something I could not hear.
Then louder, "You consent, since you want to live, right?"
Fia's voice came out weak and hoarse. "No."
