Succubus Unchained - Heather Long Page 0,43

“Why?”

Why had he helped her?

Why was he still helping her?

There were many questions represented by the simple word. He chose not to misunderstand her meaning. “You said Alfred shared his memories with you.”

A single nod.

“Did he share his memories of me?”

Eyebrows raised, he waited.

“You didn’t want him to turn you.”

He nodded once.

“You tried to kill him.”

“For many years,” he told her. “It took me a long time to forgive him for doing this to me.”

“But you did forgive him.” She frowned. “He was greedy and selfish, and took away your choice. How do you forgive that?”

“Because eventually, I understood why he did it, and I understood what it meant to him.” Rogue shrugged. “It was a long time ago, and time has dulled some of that anger. Because of him, I am here now. So that is something to appreciate. Yet…I know you did not want this life.”

“No,” she said slowly. “I didn’t. Not that any of you listened to me.”

“I know. I am as responsible as Alfred.”

Her absolute snort of derision made him smile. A true one, and her eyes brightened. For a moment, her lips curved, and a true grin settled on her face. The effect was breathtaking.

“Don’t get me wrong,” she said, still smiling. “I hate you all for that. But that son of a bitch didn’t even try to understand or talk to me. He just bit the ever-loving fuck out of me and drained me over and over.”

“I know.”

“And then…days of that…when he was done, he moved on.”

The bitterness in those last three words made Rogue frown. How had Alfred moved on?

She did a careless wave with one hand before she drained her coffee. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I just—I have things I need to do.”

“You said.”

“And I won’t be trapped there.”

“No,” he agreed, and she frowned as she studied him. Rogue didn’t hide himself away or try to shut her out.

“You’re being very accommodating.” That faint note of wonder in her voice and the relaxed manner was a gift. The soft tumble of her red curls framed her face as she watched him.

A prickle along his neck was his only warning before a new voice joined the conversation. “He is, isn’t he? It’s only taken him a thousand or so years to foster a fresh rebellion. What have you done to my brothers, Hellion?”

Alfred.

Fiona’s eyes shuttered, and her shoulders went rigid.

Betrayal etched into her very posture as she turned to where Alfred leaned against a tree at the edge of the clearing. Rogue sighed.

This was not going to go well.

Chapter 9

“People can be lovers and enemies at the same time, you know.” - Willa Cather

The fact that Alfred stood there shouldn’t have shocked me. Yet, I’d believed Rogue when he said none of them had been here. That he hadn’t told them how to find me. I’d let myself believe he meant it when he said he wanted to help me.

“No fierce words for me, Hellion?” Alfred the Asshole asked as he straightened and began to stroll toward me.

There were any number of answers I could offer him. None I was willing to give though. I just stared at him and kept my gaze off of Rogue.

“Alfred,” Rogue began, but he didn’t finish the sentence or add anything more. Asshole pinned him with a single, unreadable look.

Irritation flared through me. “Why are you here?” If anyone got to demand an answer, it would be me. “Why don’t you go find Eleanor? I’m sure she would be more than happy to keep you company. Based on the sheer number at the party, I don’t doubt you could have a wealth of companionship. Why me?”

Eyebrow quirked, Asshole stared at me with those enigmatic eyes. “You belong to us.” Like that answered everything.

I snorted. “I belong to no one.”

“You solve nothing by running.”

“You presume I want to solve something.” I really didn’t. All I wanted to do now was leave. If he was going to be here, the chance of successfully fleeing and evading them both was nonexistent. I would simply have to bide my time. Again.

But I didn’t have to stay here and talk to him. I turned away, but he caught my arm and tugged me back to him. “Hellion,” he said. “Why are you angry with me?”

“Are you for fucking real right now?” The burn in my veins turned to acid. Still refusing to look at him, I fixed my glare on the house. It was a really nice house. It hadn’t done anything