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Her

Mathias had wisely waited toin wait for her If she hadn’t needed a fewthem … if she hadn’t needed a few moments to repair her emotions after Ice had refused to allow her to co … if she had even believed that Mathias would risk har her in Blackbourne’s house

"No?" he taunted, darting to the bottom of the stairs to face her "Then come spend a bit of time with , no doubt Now that Mathias had her trapped between them, she had to defend herself and not allow hi the fact no one was able to teleport in or around the house for the duration of the challenge Now, she’d have to i hard, she sue Each step toward Mathis spurred another tightening of the vise around her stomach, another rev for her heartbeat Sabelle fisted her tre hand behind her back, then opened it as she stood before the evil wizard She had one chance, and she had to pray her abilities would not fail her now

Cautiously, she reached out to Mathias Her hand was just an inch from his and she eased closer

Suddenly, she felt a jolt punch her in the chest A spell clawed pain up and down her back, radiating down her legs, out her arms Then her lis and heart Mathias held her cohed

"I know you’re half-siren, dear Did you really think I would let your touch sway me from my purpose? Very sorry, but no I must kill Ice and you will help me Now be a dear and spend some time with Rhea," Mathias drawled "I insist"

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ICE SCANNED BLACKBOURNE’S WINTER-RAVAGED gardens The spindle-branched trees devoid of leaves scarcely registered Bra blazed across the front of his brain

"Where is Mathias?" He approached the Doorowled, "You couldn’t possibly y on your own Where the hell is ize, Ice aze dead-on "I love Sabelle, and I’ve ritted this teeth "Was it necessary to flaunt her so publicly?"

"She insisted on co to me and brushed aside my refusal You know your sister can be quite deter, uncoain"

"She is a groitch," Ice argued "She’s no longer a five-year-old in need of your guidance She loves you But I know Sabelle, and you should as well She is going toyou or I say will sway her little"

Staring at the winter-brown grass, Brahtly, Ice wondered if it would break

"Until you win this Council seat, this conversation is over Then if she truly chooses you" With a curse, Bram thrust the sword at him "Take this What the devil do you intend to do with it, anyway?"

"I think I’ve found the means to keep Mathias froed Braave ht that off?"

Ice shrugged, choosing his words carefully "Somehow, it did not choose me"

"Because you aren’t susceptible to the dark? That’s what Mathias intireed, didn’t covet anyone else’sin his soul that could be used to tempt him to do evil Bram, on the other hand, had always been ruthlessly a smothered by the black cloud he hadn’t hidden it well At all Now it ruled nearly his every thought and deed

Rather than aduardens "Mathias has not returned froot less than two minutes or he forfeits the match"

Ice’s blood ran cold Mathias was still inside the house … as was Sabelle Two ent of death, it was an eternity There was but one reason Mathias would not appear in the challenge ring: He had abducted Sabelle

Tossing the sword at Braain, Ice set off at a dead run for the house Suddenly, Brae ring’s invisible walls

"Go back to the challenge ring or you’ll forfeit," Bra Sabelle, I don’t bloody care!"

"She’s my sister I’ll find her!"

"And the mate of my heart If Emma were here, would you let Mathias anywhere near her?"

"Bastard"

Ice wasn’t certain if Bram meant him or Mathias, and he didn’t much care He reached the back door first and threw it open Just as he prepared to charge in, Mathias walked out

"Going soe will resu his eyes at the ruthless wizard, Ice glared "Why are you late?"

"One minute!" Blackbourne called

"I’ Rhea occupied for as long as possible"

A vision of Mathias unleashing his malevolent passion on that witch nearly made Ice sick He chomped at the bit to ask Mathias if he’d seen or harive the villain any ideas in the event Sabelle wasdressed It see phase of theto allow her to complete the vows hurt her more than he’d believed

"A ith you, Rykard, before we begin again," Mathias asked with perfect politeness thatto say"

Mathias grabbed his arlared at Mathias "What the devil do you want?"