Witch Born - LJ Swallow Page 0,74
similar to Zeke has taken hold, that might not be wise.
Oriana tries to talk to me about Zeke, but I can’t bring myself to speak to her. I sit at dinner and barely hear the rumours about where Zeke is and tears push at my eyes.
Is he dead too? Samuel is. Others died in the past.
Disposable.
Failed experiments.
When they take me to Dorian tonight, I don’t believe I’ll return. I’ll never see Ethan again unless I find him now. Together we can fight. How? I don’t know, but I’m determined I’ll survive.
Going to Ethan is a risk I need to take.
I make my way towards the hallway leading to Ethan’s room and pass a group of vamps hanging around the doorway between the two halls. They watch me pass and I ignore them. I’m beyond intimidation by anybody right now.
Ethan’s room is halfway along the hallway and as I walk, I’m aware somebody follows. My pulse picks up and I’m ready to retaliate, but the vamp walks past me. At the same time, two guys flank me, and I’m forced to stop before I hit the guy in front. He turns to face me and nods at one of the people either side.
Before I catch up to what’s happening, I’m pushed and shoved to one side, hidden between the tall guys as they open a door beside me.
“What the fuck?” I call at them as they shove me inside. The door slams behind me and I stare at the wood for a moment as a key turns.
Are they shutting me away because they know what I’m supposed to do to Dorian tonight?
There’s no light from the barred window, and I fumble along the wall for a light switch. A bare bulb above shines on my surroundings. An empty dorm room.
Almost empty.
“Good evening, Eloise.”
Dorian sits on the bare mattress on the metal bed and his voice and look are thunderous.
I’ve no time to move before he’s in my face “You told them I killed Samuel,” he spits. “That was low.”
“I didn’t. How are you here?” I back up and reach for the round handle behind me. Everybody’s warning echoes in my mind. Dorian will kill you.
Dorian extends an arm and holds his palm against the door, above my head. “Don’t lie. That’s the easiest way to get rid of me. I’m disappointed you didn’t fight me properly; I was looking forward to that.”
“Dorian. Listen. I didn’t.”
His other palm hits the wood, caging me in and he looks down at me, breathing heavily. There’s something in his eyes I’ve never seen before—uncertainty. “I’ve spent two years keeping myself out of fucking solitary and now you’ve put me there.”
“But you’re here, not solitary,” I stammer out.
“Briefly. Mids can be bribed.”
I almost ask what the place is like, but don’t want to hear. “Is Zeke there too?”
“Zeke?” He frowns. “No. Did you drop him in the shit too? I told him you were trouble. Planted here to fuck us all up, were you?”
“No.”
His darkening eyes search mine. “Give me your blood.”
“What?” I dart a look behind him. I could move but how far would I get?
“I need your blood, Eloise. I know you’ve more power than you show. Give me some.”
There’s no threat to his voice, but I don’t believe Dorian would take ‘no’ as an answer. “I can’t.”
“Why? They’re hinting something else will happen to me and I need as much strength as I can to take the bastards down.” He sucks in a breath. “I need witch blood. Powerful witch blood.”
“Dorian, please back off,” I say and place a hand on his chest.
He snatches my wrist. “Eloise. Please.”
As desperation edges into his voice, I don’t struggle. “You’re Dorian Blackwood. They can’t kill you.”
“This Dorian, they can. They’ve held the sword over my head the whole time I’ve been here. They’ve always wanted to kill me.”
I never thought I’d see genuine panic on Dorian’s face and the horror at what they’re asking me to do builds.
“They’ve asked you to kill me, haven’t they?” he asks harshly, and I blink at him. He moves closer, chest almost touching mine. “Haven’t they?”
“Yes. But I won’t. I’m being used by the Confederacy. Everybody at the academy is.”
“Yeah, I knew that. I’m not stupid, but they’ve fucked up bringing you here and allowing your magic to stay in the hope you’ll take me down.” He chews his bottom lip and I’m suddenly aware of my pulse beating against my neck. “Because your blood will bring back the guy