Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,293

which meant that he had looked me up in the database. “So happy to see you here again. I was thinking tonight that I would switch things up and claim you for the night. I think I’d very much like to see what all the fuss is to have the Cyler Black all out of sorts.” My mouth dropped open in shock as I took in what that would mean for me.

“Is that going to be a problem?” he asked in a sinister way that made my breathing go shallow with fear.

“No, sir. I mean, Commodore,” I replied with a stutter, it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

“That’s emperor, Shade. I’m an emperor now.”

Not my emperor.

“Yes, of course, Emperor Cavil. My apologies, sir.”

Cavil wrapped his arm around my lower back, and his hand lingered dangerously low. His fingers brushed right between my white corset top and the tulle pant skirt I was wearing. My skin prickled with discomfort at his touch, and I wanted nothing more than to run away.

Cyler‘s face was a bright red, and I wondered if this was it. If this was the moment that he broke. “Oh Cyler. I was thinking, since you don’t much enjoy these sorts of things, you could just spend the evening with your brother. He’s working very hard on a new finding.”

At that suggestion, Cyler curled over and clutched his arm. I could hear the zap of electricity and smell his burning skin. Someone had turned on Cyler’s fetter, leaving him no choice. “Yes, emperor,” Cyler said through clenched teeth. A guard clasped his hand on Cyler’s shoulder and guided him away, Cyler making sure to drag his feet along the marble as they went.

I wanted to stab Cavil right there and run to Cyler to end his suffering, but I knew it wasn’t that easy. Something was up, and Cavil seemed to know about our plans. It was odd that he’d requested me today. Was this some sort of power trip over Cyler?

Jade walked up to us, looking beautiful but nervous as she threw Cavil a coy smile. “Emperor, if I might be so bold as to say, I was truly looking forward to enjoying one last evening with you.” She sounded desperate, stroking his arm with a manicured fingernail.

“Don’t you worry. I have plans for you, Jade,” he said with a snarl before snapping his fingers. Three guards strolled up and grabbed Jade by the arms. One drifted a hand up her thigh, and she flinched when they pulled a knife from a holster attached to her leg.

“Send her to a holding cell to wait until tomorrow. We can have one last little execution before I leave,” he said with a smile as Jade struggled against their hold. I knew it was useless, but nevertheless she fought. Our plan was falling apart before we even got a chance to try.

Once she was out of sight, everyone went back to their hushed conversations, and the band began playing once more. Cavil stared at the hallway Jade and the guards disappeared down before turning his attention to me. “Ready for tonight, Ash? I think we’re going to have lots of fun.”

At the sound of my real name, all hope fled me. It was over. Cavil had won.

Cavil lifted a hand up and, with a flick of his wrist, unraveled my hair, making sure to pocket the knife Jules hid there earlier. “We can play with your knife a little later, Ash. I should send you with Jade, but I prefer to have a bit of fun first.”

I shivered when his hand wrapped around my throat. He leaned forward like he was going to kiss me, and bile filled my mouth, threatening to spill past my teeth. I wanted to flee. But instead of touching his lips to mine, he inhaled my scent. “Smell that, little Walker? I smelled it on you when I first met you outside of Galla.” How did he know it was me? When did he figure it out? “You smell like fear. Practically overflowing with it. It smells delicious.”

“How’d you know?” I whispered.

Cavil let out a low cackle so threatening and dark that I felt it in my bones. Kaye broke through the crowd with her sister from the kitchen on her heels, and I knew then where she had disappeared to this morning. She didn’t even pretend to be apologetic as she looked down her nose at me. She wasn’t