Page 42 of Midnight of Ashes
Rage blasted out of Maddox. So intense that even I could feel it.
“It’s no problem,” I said quickly. I would’ve agreed to stab needles into my eyes if it would’ve defused the situation. “I’ll talk to them and be right back.”
“Hayden,” Knox said, pain lacing his voice.
I forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Cillian stepped forward, his massive form menacing. “If you even consider taking Hayden anywhere without her consent, I’ll rain hellfire down on you.”
Nolan’s eyes flashed. “You dare to threaten a council member.”
“It’s not a threat. It’s a justified consequence. You’re being watched right now. This isn’t something you’ll be able to cover up as you have in the past.”
A muscle in Nolan’s jaw twitched, and I knew then that he’d been planning exactly that. I looked at my guys, knowing panic was in my gaze. Cillian squeezed my hand quickly.
“No one’s taking you anywhere you don’t want to go. There are too many eyes watching,” he assured me.
“Let’s get this over with already,” Arthur muttered from behind Nolan. “I have places to be.”
He seemed utterly bored by it all, but Fionn, who stood next to him, was riveted, an interested gleam in his eye.
Mona gave my arm a tug. “This way, Hayden.”
I couldn’t get a read on her. She didn’t seem as evil as Nolan, but if she’d taken money from the hordes to be here tonight, she wasn’t exactly noble either.
I glanced over my shoulder, my gaze colliding with Easton’s. His hands were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight. With his hair falling around his shoulders, he looked like a warrior from some long-ago world, just dressed in a modern-day suit.
“Good lord, you’ll be back with them in a few minutes,” Mona muttered. “Get ahold of yourself.”
“Going with you all, anything could happen,” I shot back.
She chuckled. “Smart girl.”
Nolan stormed ahead and down the hallway before ducking into a smaller room that appeared to be a parlor from times past. No one took a seat. The moment Fionn closed the door behind us, Nolan was peppering me with questions.
“Who did you feel a connection with?”
“No one,” I said honestly.
He scoffed. “Don’t lie to us, girl.”
My eyes narrowed on him. “I’m not lying. I know what touching a bond mate feels like. I don’t have a connection with any of them.”
“That’s not what Hal said,” Fionn murmured as he took another sip of scotch.
“Well, Hal is a psychopathic liar and an attempted murderer who should have a cactus shoved up his ass, so I’m not surprised,” I clipped.
Fionn choked on his drink, beginning to cough.
Nolan glared at me. “The Corbetts are a respected horde that has been around for generations. They are not to be insulted.”
“They almost killed me. Twice.”
A muscle began fluttering wildly in his jaw. “I’m sure Cillian and his horde started it.”
What was this? Kindergarten?
“Can we hurry this up?” Arthur asked, turning to me. “Many of the hordes in that room would offer you your heart’s desire. Would you like to entertain offers?”
