Page 25 of Balor

Fuck! I yelled out to be heard over the chaos. “Finish this! And finish it now!”

“Decoy?” Collin asked.

“Yeah, I think so. I don’t believe Thaddeus planned to fight us fairly. He took advantage of this fight to get what he really wanted, and I’m sure he took his heavy hitters with him. These witches are just cannon fodder.”

* * *

Belladonna

I fought against the restraints, my body twisting and straining as I tried to break free. The bindings dug into my flesh, and I could feel the bruises forming. It didn’t stop me from struggling. I refused to give up, refused to let him win. My father might have me now, but I wouldn’t remain here. One way or another, I’d escape.

If only he hadn’t used binding magick that blocked my abilities.

My fiery red hair clung to my cheeks, damp with sweat. I panted as I tried to wrench one wrist free. All I managed to do was make the restraint cut deeper. I’d been so close to freedom, to safety. And now…

I swallowed hard. I wouldn’t cry. Couldn’t show any weakness. He’d pounce on it, use it to his advantage. No, I had to be strong. For myself, for Balor, and most of all, for the child growing inside me.

“You thought you’d escape me? That I’d let the last remaining Kline female slip through my fingers? You may be worthless to me, but I’m sure someone would think you’re an excellent broodmare. You have the magick from my family in your veins, after all.” My father’s voice was edged with a growl. “Where did you think you’d go, Belladonna? You don’t have any friends, and you’d never make it on your own. You were raised in a coven. You need others to survive.”

“I was doing just fine without you.” I straightened my spine and met his gaze. I wouldn’t let him see my fear. If he knew how terrified I was, he’d use it against me. He was the master of cruelty and delighted in causing pain. I’d had a small taste of freedom, and I never wanted to go back.

My father’s mouth flattened into a harsh line. “You will marry Eric. You’ll have a proper warlock’s child.”

I knew he didn’t really care about that. What he wanted was the power of being tied to the Night’s Bane Coven. It was power my father was after, and nothing more.

My stomach churned, and I swallowed hard. “I’d rather die.”

His lips curled up in a cruel smile. “A possibility. I have two warlocks examining the spells placed on you. If they can’t strip the mage’s taint from you, then you will perish. Eric won’t want you if you carry the child of another, especially one that isn’t a newarlock.”

I thought of Balor, and my heart ached. He was a good man, even if he might have some darkness inside him. Despite the rumors, he hadn’t hurt me. My father had done far worse in the name of loving me. I’d take Balor’s firm hand over my father’s cruelty any day. And why was he acting like my baby was an abomination? The prophecy said our child would be the most powerful in centuries, possibly ever.

My father knelt and grasped my chin, forcing me to look at him again. “I will find a way to salvage this mess you’ve made. You will become the good little witch I’ve trained you to be. I don’t care what I have to do to make that happen.”

“You’re wasting your time. I’ll never marry Eric. I’ll never marry anyone you pick for me. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in this coven, or any other associated with you.”

His smile sent a shiver down my spine. “We’ll see.”

My father crossed the room and pushed the door open wider. I turned my head and stared at the ceiling. The door shut with a loud thud and the lock snicked into place. I didn’t know what he hoped to achieve. No one would dare defy him. He had everyone convinced he was all-powerful. They didn’t know he’d been bleeding the other witches dry to increase his own power. He’d drained my mother and would likely kill her. I had no doubt he’d do the same to me if he thought it would make him stronger.

I considered the precious life growing inside me. “I’m sorry, little one. I’ll find a way to keep you safe. I promise.”

The door opened, and I tensed. My father would find a way to force me to do what he wanted. I heard the click of heels on the stone floor and wondered if one of the witches had come to mock me. Or maybe Eric wanted to see what he’d claimed as his own. I turned my head and froze. Anne-Marie stood just inside the door, her eyes wide in shock.

She’d been my childhood friend, but I’d known the moment I fled she’d never forgive me. She wouldn’t understand why I had to leave. I knew she’d take it as a personal insult. She’d always been a bit… temperamental.

“I didn’t realize you’d returned to the coven,” she said, her voice trembling.

“You mean, you didn’t realize I’d been dragged here and restrained. I didn’t come here willingly.”

Her gaze swept down my body, and her eyes widened. Shit. She’d sensed the baby. “Who?”

I knew what she was asking. “Does it matter? I’ll never marry Eric. If my father wants to kill me, then so be it. I will never be anyone’s slave again.”

Her lips thinned, and she took a step closer. “How? I thought you were… How could you betray your coven, your intended?”

I snorted. “He’s not my intended. I never agreed to marry him. As for the coven, you can have my place. I’ll gladly step aside if it means I never have to see any of you again. I fell in love with a man who doesn’t force me to do things I don’t want.”

She winced. “Your father will use the binding spell on you. You wouldn’t be able to get more than a few steps away from Eric if that were the case.”