body in an effort to get free.
“What happened? You were simply supposed to come get her.” Linc’s voice broke into their struggle.
“She decided that she didn’t have to obey a simple order to come with me because we’re not her Ardin.” Colm glared down at her.
The anger and frustration building in her sparked the magic inside her. She didn’t stop trying to slip away from them, even though she knew she was outmatched. If possible, she’d like to blast them down the staircase. Her hands warmed. Wrenching herself to the side, she managed to pull Colm off balance. His hold didn’t even loosen.
“What’s wrong, Cami?” Linc put his hand on her shoulder, his hold effectively stilling her.
“This is going to change something.” She glared at him. It galled her that all he had to do was use one hand to control her.
“Yes, it is, but it’s not the ultimate claim that we want. All it will do is make sure that everyone knows exactly how we see you,” Linc said calmly. “No more denials that you’re only here to catch the false Ardin or that you have no claim on us.”
“What does it matter what I say? The way you’ve been acting around me pretty much announces it.” She shook her head and glared at them. The magic burned in her at a higher level than her anger now.
“And you deny it whenever you’re asked. The mixed messages are going to cause problems.” Linc growled.
He hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet. Fear had her free hand slapping onto his shoulder for balance. He drew in a hissing breath. His eyes locked with hers. He looked concerned suddenly instead of angry and determined.
“Grab her hand, Colm. It’s hot and you’d better switch your grip to the other one before the anger makes her control slip.” Linc lowered her to the step, ducked and hoisted her over his shoulder.
The silent coordination amazed her. As soon as Linc bent, Colm released her so that the other man could easily lift her to his shoulder. She smacked his back as she hung down his back. She only managed to do it once before Colm grabbed her hands.
He drew in a hissing breath. “Stinging hot. Damn, I had no clue. Her eyes aren’t even glowing yet.”
“I think it’s focused power and I’d guess she’s having some pretty violent thoughts. Our little Lady is angry. She just doesn’t know how to release it as a weapon yet. Luckily for her. I would have put her over my knee if she managed to use it against us.” Linc growled and walked down the stairs.
Stretched out as she was with Colm holding her hands, she couldn’t even twist around and bite him. Both men were out of reach and her legs were anchored. They didn’t hesitate as they walked through the hallways of the first floor. They obviously had planned before they came to get her, but she still had no clue about where they were going.
They turned onto the main hall that led to the outer door, but didn’t go that far. Linc opened a door. Only as they passed through it did she realize it was one of the double doors to the gathering judgment room. She drew in a startled breath. She hadn’t done anything to be brought before them here. Her mind kicked in and she realized that if she’d been the one meant to be judged that they wouldn’t have gone to get her themselves. What kind of game were they playing?
Colm released her hands and circled around her. Cami felt something pass through the air. She knew it was magic, but since it didn’t settle over her, she had no idea what it was supposed to do. Looking around the room, she didn’t see any change.
“What do you want that it’s so important that you can’t accept the word ‘no’? I don’t want to take whatever step you’re ready to take. You promised you wouldn’t take anything away from me.” Her hands landed on her hips and she glared at them.
“We’re not going to take any of your tricks away from you.” Linc’s voice rolled through the room, so calm that she had to look at him to make sure it was the same person. He was still frowning at her and she could see the tenseness of anger there.
“What are you going to do, then?”
Linc took a single step forward, but halted when Colm put