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"Yes, Sir," I replied, knowing an excuse was useless

"You’re dis the bustling activity in the throne roory," said a flat voice in rowled; I was ravenous I headed toward the kitchen

When I rounded a corner, Adviser Mogkan stood there, blocking uidedwith him seemed natural I wanted to pull away I wanted to be afraid, terrified even, but I couldn’t produce the ekan steered ht, still unable to conjure a reaction His silky gray eyes stared at ers traced the line of black diamonds down my uniform sleeve

"My Yelena," he said possessively

Fear blazed up my arm and exploded in kan was broken My emotional ennui had dissolved, but I couldn’t move The muscles in ht

Athe brandyValek off But further contekan stepped closer

"Had I guessed you would cause such trouble I never would have brought you to Brazell’s orphanage" He smiled at my confusion "Didn’t Reyad tell you that I found you?"

"No" My voice was husky

"You were lost in the jungle, only six years old Such a beautiful, bright child Such a delight I rescued you from the claws of a tree leopard because I knew you had potential But you were too stubborn, too independent The harder we tried, the kan cupped his hand under aze "Even nohen I’ me I can command your body" He raised his left arm, and my own left arm mirrored his movement "But if I tried to control both your mind and body, you would eventually thwart me" He shook his head in disbelief, as if the whole concept amazed him

"Fortunately, subtle pressure is all that’s required" He pulled his hand away, and then ers and thumb

My throat closed I was unable to breathe Powerless to defendwent unvoiced Logic grabbed the panic and wrestled it to the ground Mogkan was using ic Maybe I could block it before I passed out I tried reciting poisons in kan said in admiration "But it won’t save you this time" He bent down and kissed me tenderly, alh kan takeit in his own

Chapter Twenty-Five

IVeclining against the wall, I clung to Mogkan’s hand as the world faded around e infor breath, I ca prone on the floor Next to kan’s chest Valek’s hands rapped around Mogkan’s neck, but his eyes were on kan smiled when Valek stood and yanked hi a hted to enlighten you"