won't hurt any of us,” I demanded. “That you'll give them back their magic and free us once I've made you immortal. Swear on your shriek.”
Talon blinked and pulled back a little in surprise. Even the Fury at the door flinched. That vow—the most sacred a Fury could make—wasn't widely known to outsiders.
“What a clever girl you are,” Talon whispered, his head cocking to the side. “Very well. If you make me immortal, I will return the magic I've taken and release you all.”
“Immediately,” I added. “And without harming us in any other way.”
“Within the day,” he countered. “I won't harm any of you in any way.”
I nodded. “Agreed. Make the vow.”
“I swear it on my shriek,” Talon said solemnly.
I let out a long breath. “We'll need somewhere private.”
“Bring me her key.” Talon leered at me as he held his hand out presumptuously.
One of the remaining minions brought it to him, and Talon took the key, keeping his stare on mine. He unlocked my cell and held his hand out to me. I took it. It was warm and strong, closing around mine confidently. He drew me out of the cell and then toward the door, my heart beginning to race as I went with him. Was this a huge mistake? I looked at Leo, lying in his cell, and squared my shoulders.
The other men followed us out of the room, closing and locking the door behind them. It hadn't been locked before. I grimaced as I realized why. Talon had wanted to get us into that other room with the sprinklers; it was his kill box. Or sleep box, rather. We strode through it now, then through the doorway at the far end that we hadn't made it to earlier. It opened on a flight of stairs. At the top, the light brightened from artificial to real. Sunlight. How long had we been down there?
Talon led me through a modern kitchen made to look rustic. An expensive stove with an antique look sat within a massive brick column that resembled the overmantle of a fireplace. We passed a heavy, wood worktable and strode into the living room. The décor was country, but in a German way—the wood pale and glossy, and the hardwood floor covered with woven rugs. A picture window provided a view of rolling hills that led to a thick treeline. Not a single building spotted the green expanse.
“Return to your watch,” Talon said to the other men.
They left, the humans smirking at me while the Fury sneered at them—his opinion of humans clear. My body went cold, stomach clenching. Could I really do this? I'd been prepared to endure it with Braxis, but even when I hated Braxis, I hadn't hated him as I did Talon. With this burning rage that could only be quenched in blood. I wanted to tear Talon to shreds and hear him shriek in pain instead of fury. Pain and fear—exactly as my mother had. So how was I going to feel the desire that was required to draw Talon into the Fusion? What if it didn't work the first time? I'd have to do it again.
I steeled myself. It had to work. I knew I wouldn't be able to let him touch me again.
Talon took me upstairs, down a hallway lined with dismal wallpaper, and into the master bedroom. It was neat as a pin, with heavy wooden furniture accented with cream-colored fabrics and walls. Thick beams crossed the vaulted ceiling and another picture window looked out on the serene view, giving it an airy feel that the rest of the house lacked. My mood was at odds with that calm room, and when Talon shut the door, I flinched. He locked it, then went to the window where he drew the curtains shut before turning to face me.
“I assume that we need to fuck,” he said crudely.
“Well, aren't you the romantic,” I drawled.
Talon grinned as he started to undress. “I can't say that I haven't thought about it.” His gaze scraped over my body. “This has got to be the most pleasant way to become immortal.”
“It's the only way,” I said crisply. “But I need to want it or you won't be pulled into the Fusion, so you might want to try to be a little nicer to me.”
“You need to want it, eh?” He shrugged out of his shirt—a strange design made to go around his wings. His body was thickly muscled, especially the shoulders. It would be