"He says … he won't hurt me again if you do what he says and then turn yourself over to him."

Her throat tightened. No part of her believed Valon was serious about sparing anyone. But the sight of her brother in this condition destroyed any rationale.

"He says … in the desk is something that will let you disable Jonny."

Her heart skipped a beat. She had been purposely not thinking about Jonny, about how tender of a lover he was and how poorly she'd convinced herself she stopped caring for him when he betrayed her long ago. When she stilled long enough for her mind to roam, she felt his warm, strong palms skimming her body once more, experienced the pure ecstasy of him sliding into her and kissing her with passion she hadn't thought him capable of. He had claimed her with gentleness and persistence, touched her with reverence and whispered her name in a low, husky voice that dripped with desire and affection. That she could experience him every night she bore his brand, become the sole focus of his entire world, rendered her breathless. She'd wanted him and yet been scared as well, and he'd shown her a level of ecstasy she'd never imagined possible.

To betray him as he once had her sent her emotions smashing to the ground. Revenge didn't feel as good as she thought it should.

The constriction of her chest was only getting worse. She didn't need Brandon to tell her what happened if Jonny became disabled after Jonny's explanation that Valon was a godslayer. With trembling hands, she opened the top drawer of the desk and spotted the single item in its depths. A knife hewn out of one single piece of pale material was smooth and cool beneath her fingertips. She hefted it, the dread inside her growing as she thought about what Valon wanted her to do. It was made of material she didn't immediately recognize, with the lightness of wood and the solidness of stone. Was it ivory? Bone?

"Why us?" she whispered. "Why didn't he take some other Naturals to torture?"

"Because of our skills and because he wants to use us to keep … Xander in check. He found you at the club. He found me … by tracing the cell phone, same as Jonny." Brandon's good eye closed and he sagged more. "Hurry … Ashley. Disable Jonny … and go to the location … on knife."

She glanced down. In the glow of the screen, she was able to make out numbers written on the blade, coordinates like those Brandon used in his emergency app.

"Memorize and erase … the numbers," Brandon directed her. "He says now."




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