28. Adrianna

28

ADRIANNA

M y confusion is short-lived as I'm tossed to the floor in a familiar room. I grunt as my knees smack against the harsh stone beneath me, my hands doing little to break my fall.

I expected to find myself in front of The Council, but I didn't think it would be in the same room where they used Nora as a threat against me, attempting to force me to become a fated mate in their desperation for control.

Fuck.

Wetting my lips, I look at the audience I've been granted. It's only natural my gaze lingers on Kenner first. He may not be a member of The Council, but his presence is always too close when I find myself in trouble, usually because it's his doing. The smug look on his face is nothing new, but how defenseless I feel is.

My nostrils flare as irritation threatens to get the better of me, so I turn my attention to the next person: Mrs. Holloway.

I can see where Raiden gets his arrogance; she's smothered in it. Her pencil skirt falls just short of her knees, elongating her legs as she stands tall, her silk shirt tucked in, and her brown hair curling around her face. She's a total vision of demure, but the curl to her lips tells an entirely different story. She's been behind the frenzied vampires this entire time, which was a shock to Raiden too, but as I stand before her now, I don't know how I didn't see it before.

Finding another parental figure to one of my men, my gaze latches onto Mr. Orenda. He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he assesses me. Every part of him screams that he's a mage. From the messy hair, a by-product of raking his fingers through it while deep in thought, to his disheveled clothing, also an afterthought in comparison to the books in his hands. He's desperate to chase the idea of fated mates or anything else that may create greatness in his eyes, no matter the consequences. He's the definition of a mad mage, focused only on what magic can do, and I don't see it as a positive attribute from this angle.

Finally, my gaze shifts to the final person in the room, and even though I've never seen him before, I know exactly who he is—Mr. Drummer's brother, Vallie's uncle.

He shares the same eyes as his late brother, and the crinkle of anger around his mouth is a look I've seen many times on Vallie herself. Anger vibrates from him, but there's a smugness there that only a vampire can emit. He's furious with me, madder than mad, but once again, someone's desire for power outweighs the blood they wish they could spill.

He wants me dead, but the idea of using me to obtain greater power outweighs it all.

"On her feet," he snarls, not turning his gaze from mine as he orders the soldiers. I grunt as they yank me to my feet, my hands hanging bound and helpless before me, but I refuse to falter under his intense stare.

His movements are measured, cutting the distance between us with slow, purposeful strides before he slices his hand through the air and connects with my cheek. I brace for impact, managing to maintain my balance from the force, but my head still swings to the side.

Fucker.

My skin burns from the contact, and as I look him square in the eyes, I watch as a shit-eating grin spreads across his lips. He gets a kick from slapping women around. Noted. I already thought he was scum, but that simply confirms he's so much worse.

I might be a murderer to two of his family members, but I at least have standards.

"Feel better?" I goad, tasting copper as I offer him a wide smile.

He snarls, ready to attack again, when Brody's father cuts forward, grabbing his arm. "We haven't got time for this just yet."

I almost thought he was coming to my rescue, but it's all about a greater purpose. Silly of me to forget. I sigh as Vallie's uncle steps back. "Excellent; if time isn't on our side, does that mean you're going to cut to the chase?" I ask, cocking a brow at each of them.

It's Mrs. Holloway who steps forward next, arms folded over her chest as she sneers at me. "Is it true? Are you a wolf?"

My gaze flickers to Kenner. I don't know what I was expecting her to say, but it wasn't that.

"Go on, Pet, tell them what you are," Kenner says to my stare, a grin splitting his face as he waves for me to follow his instruction.

"I'm. Not. Your. Pet," I bite out through clenched teeth, just like Cassian did the last time he used that damn nickname on me. His grin only spreads wider, pleased he's gotten under my skin.

"Tell her you're a wolf."

I sigh, settling my gaze back on Mrs. Holloway, who stares at me expectantly. Looking at her reminds me too much of Raiden. It pisses me off. "You already heard him," I say with a sigh, and she shakes her head.

"I want to hear it from you."

I roll my eyes, irritated with this bullshit, but curiosity has gotten the better of me. "I'm a wolf and a fae." She purses her lips, a flash of something crossing her gaze, but it doesn't last long enough for me to decipher it completely. "Why does it matter?" My question hangs in the air for a moment before she drops her arms to her sides with a sigh.

"To you? It doesn't. To us, it makes a huge difference." She slips her hand into her pocket, pulling a small coin-shaped object out and placing it into Kenner's outstretched palm.

"What am I missing?"

She looks away, disappointment and irritation coiling through her. When it's clear she's not going to answer, I look to the others. More specifically, Mr. Orenda. Kenner will be smug as fuck, and I don't know who Vallie's uncle is, but his handprint still burns on my cheek, so I'm not looking to him for answers.

To my surprise, he offers me a tight smile as he slowly edges toward me. "The last center of our fated mates was a vampire, which gave Holloway the power of control; now you're part wolf and part fae. With no fae leader in the room; the control goes to Kenner."

"You're still going on about that?" I ask, blinking at him.

"About what?"

"Fated mates?"

"Of course. Why else would we have you here?"

I try to step back as he continues getting closer, but I'm blocked by the soldiers still standing behind me. "Didn't you learn the last time?" I grind out, earning a snicker from Vallie's uncle.

"Of course they did. Hence, the extra men, the magic rendering you useless, and alternative leverage."

"Leverage?" I repeat, my heart skipping a beat as my pulse thunders in my ears. "What leverage?"

"That will come in due time," Orenda offers, pulling something from behind his back. "But for now…" His words trail off as he stabs the needle into my neck, earning a grunt from my throat as I feel a burning sensation travel through my veins.

I'm bound, with the soldiers grabbing me as if they were expecting his move, rendering me powerless to his will. "What are you doing to me?"

"Making you as pliant as possible." He turns without a backward glance, shuffling toward the edge of the room as he places the syringe on the tabletop.

I feel light-headed, my limbs floating as I try to blink through the discomfort.

"After your last capture, resulting in my brother's untimely death, I felt it was best we take all precautions possible," Vallie's uncle states, but I struggle to settle my gaze on him.

"What. Leverage?" I bite, the words still lingering in my head, and even with my blurred vision, I see the sinister smile creep from ear to ear across his face.

"Of course, bring them in," he orders, and I scoff.

"If you were going to drug me, why get leverage? And are we going to clarify who the fuck you're tethering me to?" I spit out, aware that there's a slur to my words but refusing to let it get between me and the answers I need.

"Like I said, Miss Reagan, I didn't want to end up like my brother. I made sure every precaution was taken."

Shuffling sounds from behind me, but I'm at the mercy of the soldier holding me in place as I struggle to remain on my feet. I'm practically splayed against him, eager to hit the floor, until the sight of two people being dragged into the room forces me to be more alert.

My heart seizes, pain and panic making me even more delirious as I gape at them.

Their leverage is Flora and Arlo.

Flora and Arlo.

Leverage.