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KADE TELEPORTED SORCHA and himself to his conjuring den in his mansion. He figured it would be a comfortable and familiar place for her while they spoke. She pulled away from him and took a couple of steps back, then scanned the room. Her beautiful silver-gray eyes took everything in, then returned to him. “Who are you really?” she asked. “It’s obvious you’re not a lowly courier.”
He nodded and pushed his hood back so his face wasn’t in shadow. “Like I told you, I’m half fairy and half human. My father was a warlock, but I never met him. My mother died in childbirth. She was one of the fae women being held captive by the Immortal Triumvirate.”
Sorcha was shocked to hear that and he saw a flash of understanding in her eyes. “You’re like Eden, Malachi and me?” she asked. “Your mother was forced to breed against her will?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Xiara Evora met my mother shortly before she was kidnapped. She said I have her eyes.”
Compassion made the sorceress reach out, but she dropped her hand before she could touch his arm. “You’re about my age,” she said. “I don’t remember seeing a boy with purple eyes in the nursery, or in the classroom.”
“I was taken from the prison and was given to a witch and a wizard to raise when I was a newborn,” he explained. “I only learned the truth about my heritage after I met Ms. Evora.”
“Okay, so we have something in common,” Sorcha said and crossed her arms. “You’re a warlock and I’m a sorceress. We were both born in captivity like zoo animals, but you were rescued. Eden, Malachi and I weren’t that lucky. We were trained to become assassins and we were turned into monsters.”
Kade flinched at her accusing tone. “I’m so sorry I called you a monster,” he said. “Eden told me none of you had a choice about killing targets for the Immortal Triumvirate. If I’d known, I never would have said something that stupid to you. I tried to get your attention by throwing pebbles at your window so I could apologize and beg you for your forgiveness.”
“I heard you,” she said. “It was really annoying.”
He laughed and she smiled unwillingly for a moment. “There’s something I couldn’t tell you in front of Jardine and Malachi,” he said.
“I knew you were keeping secrets from them,” she said. “I take it Eden and Sebastian are in on it?”
He nodded and hoped he wasn’t going to screw this up. He only had one chance to convince her to join their cause. If he failed to win her over, he would lose her. “Sebastian, Raum and I have formed a triumvirate,” he said.
Shock flowed over Sorcha’s face and she gaped at him. “I didn’t see that coming,” she confessed. “When did that happen?”
“Last Halloween,” he replied, glad she seemed more intrigued than annoyed now. “I cast the spell while the Immortal Triumvirate were performing the Energy Tax.”
“It was you I sensed casting strong magic in the Night Cursed District that night,” she said in realization. “You cast the spell on the rooftop of the asylum.”
“That was me,” he confirmed. “I knew no one would interrupt us there. It was a safe place to perform the spell.”
“Why haven’t you told Malachi and Jardine about this?” the sorceress asked.
“It’s too dangerous for us to let that knowledge spread,” Kade replied. “Only a few select people are aware. Eden is one of them.”
“Why did you tell her?” Sorcha asked suspiciously. “She’s a former assassin for your enemies. Why did you trust her and not Jardine?”
“Because Eden has become bonded to Sebastian,” he said. She stared at him in fresh shock. “Xiara Evora gave us some gifts the night before Halloween,” he went on before she could say anything. “One was a spell that would bind us into a triumvirate. Another was a spell that would bond two people together on a more intimate level. The enchantment boosts the pair’s power exponentially.”
“Why would the Guardian of Nox give you these spells?” the former assassin asked.
“She wants us to defeat the Immortal Triumvirate and this was the only way she could assist us,” Kade explained. “She left a note with the spells that said Sebastian, Raum and I would need to find three powerful and dangerous women and persuade them to become bonded to us. We need to boost our power before Halloween.”
“Why?” Sorcha asked with even more suspicion. “What’s going to happen on Halloween?”
“We’re going to challenge the Immortal Triumvirate and attempt to overthrow them,” he replied.
Sorcha blinked a few times, then held up her hand before he could speak. “Let me guess,” she said. “You want me to agree to become bonded to you so I can boost your power?” He nodded and she narrowed her eyes at him. “What aren’t you telling me?” she demanded.
“The spell will bind your soul to me,” he said and she paled slightly. “It’s permanent,” he added. “Once we’re bound, we’ll be joined until death.”
Sorcha was speechless for a few seconds. “Why did you tell me that?” she asked. “You could have lied and cast the spell without telling me about the consequences.”
“I would never force someone to do something like that against their will,” he said in distaste. “I know we barely know each other, but I care about you, Sorcha.” He took two steps forward until he was standing only inches away from her. “Deep down, I knew you were the woman for me the first time I saw you. As my feelings for you grew, I searched for ways to boost your power so you could be the match I need.”
“Did you find a spell that could help?” she asked, interested despite herself.
He shook his head ruefully. “The only spells I found involved black magic. I wasn’t quite desperate enough to resort to using it.”
“Yet you used Raum’s demonic magic to break my link to the Immortal Triumvirate,” she pointed out.
“And to break the barrier that was blocking your magic,” he added. “Raum is our ally and he’s an integral player in our rebellion. Like it or not, we’ll need to use his talents from time to time.”
Sorcha searched his face and he kept his expression as open as possible. “How do I know I can trust you?” she asked him warily. “How can I believe you care about me when you were so quick to call me a monster when you found out the truth about me?”
Kade lowered his head and his shoulders slumped. “I wish I could take those words back,” he said. “I’ve never regretted anything as much as I regret hurting you like that.” He looked up again and their eyes locked. “I swear I’ll treat you like a queen, Sorcha. We were meant to be together. I’ve known it all along and I think you have, too.” He fell silent and waited for the sorceress to reach her decision and to choose her fate.
