“Help….somebody help…”
Alexander shut off her pleas with a kiss, stealing her breath. The strangest sensation invaded and lifted her. As her eyelids fluttered, the warmth of his kiss poured into her, weighing her down. And a hot, pulsing irritation radiated from her shoulder.
“Ow,” Ella cried out weakly. A burst of pain shot up her neck and her head throbbed in agony. She struggled and freed her hands, slapping Alexander across the face and tore open her blouse that scratched at her skin. The need to claw the livid red mark above her left breast from her injury with the Morrigan was unbearable. But a blinding pain squeezed inside her head and she pressed her hands there.
Alexander rushed to her side. “You can’t stop this. It’s too late.”
Don’t fight me, Ella. Let me in. I’m not your enemy.
The Morrigan’s voice echoed inside her mind. She shook her head as if to rid her of the sound, but the soft, insistent voice continued.
I’m…your destiny, the one everyone is too scared to tell you. They lied to you. Deceived you. The power you hold is insurmountable and to be used carefully. Let me help you. You cannot do this alone. Let me help you.
The sharp edges of the room blurred. Heavy tentacles coiled around her ankles, climbing higher up her legs, thighs, and higher, pulling her down, and she could not stop it. Her breathing increased as did her heart running for freedom, running from him and the Morrigan calling for her surrender. But as his hands stroked back and forth over her back, she was powerless to resist. She called out, but her resistance fled.
Marcus. Marcus. Marc…
Her head ached, the light burned her eyes, and eventually the desire to stay awake receded. Ella couldn’t remember who she was calling out to or why. A musky scent invaded, wrapping its way around her senses. When she was hoisted up into the air, she didn’t fight.
“That’s it, accept it. Let it take over. It’s inside you, Ella. Do you feel it? It’s okay. I won’t let it kill you.” Alexander brushed her hair away from her face and he smoothed his thumb over her lips.
She couldn’t focus. Everything was fuzzy.
“Take her. The creature inside will travel to her brain and latch on to her memories. If she does fight back, she’ll be but an empty shell of herself. Her memories are buried. She’ll only remember what I instruct her to.”
Listening to the voice, Ella snapped her eyes open just in time to watch as the Morrigan came into view, standing there spreading her arm wide. A shaft of bright-white light fanned opened like a doorway to another place. Doctor Davies removed her coat and Ella forced herself to focus, to listen and understand the conversation swirling around her. She dug her hand in her back pocket, clutching her phone. She flicked her head to the side, seeing the two women standing side by side for the first time.
“What about the baby? She’s pregnant,” the doctor asked.
A high-pitched laugh burst out. “My dear doctor, she isn’t pregnant. Once my poison entered her system months ago, the baby didn’t have a chance. The only heartbeat you heard was my creature waiting for the right moment to strike.” The slender form of the Morrigan dressed in crimson approached, lifting her hair and twirling the strand around her finger.
“I always wanted to be blonde. Now, be a good demon and take her through the portal. You can play with her if you like. It’s a full moon tonight, and I want the ritual performed for full immersion. Once it’s complete, I’ll be in control. All her magic will be mine, as well as her body and soul. Then, I will truly get to enjoy myself.” She traced a long nail over Alexander’s cheek.
“What about the promise you made—my family and Nate?” asked Elizabeth.
The Morrigan grabbed the doctor’s face, clutching her chin and drawing her in close. “A deal’s a deal. Your family and that brat are safe. Although why you want her child, I’ll never understand. You’re no match for her and you never will be. If they ever discover your treachery or you discover your conscience and decide to explain what you did, they will end you,” she ground out before releasing her.
The light around her grew dark until Ella couldn’t stay awake any longer. She lifted her cell and let go as everything faded away.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Morrigan had played them all. Although Marcus had believed the goddess wanted to use him, all the while, she merely wanted him out of the way to get to Ella. The entire flight home, he had been examining the reasons the goddess would have for taking his wife. None of them bode well. The need to interrogate Issac was more pressing than ever. Was Ella’s brother involved in this diversion? Or just some pawn in this fucked-up game? Clenching his teeth, he acknowledged the entire mission had been a deliberate ploy to mislead them.
The details he gathered from Jake were patchy. The helicopter had touched down two hours ago with his team and Issac. Ella’s brother now lay unconscious in the medical center, under guard. As soon as he landed, he shut down Steel’s complex, halting all missions to focus on locating his wife. When he headed to the command center, the doctor interrupted his progress, holding a squealing Nate in her arms.
“I know you’re busy, but you need to know. Ella came to me for an ultrasound. I couldn’t detect a fetal heartbeat. I’m sorry. I thought it was important as she’s missing. Maybe she wanted space to grieve…alone. My mom would do that when she needed to clear her head. Maybe Ella just needs time, and she’ll come back.”
Marcus peered down at the doctor, who rambled
