Bound By Blood: (The Betrayed Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

directly into my mother’s eyes as I say, “You know nothing about us.”
    Tossing her head back, she lets loose a menacing laugh that sends chills racing through my body.
    “Ah, Ttal. You are amusing. That was quite funny,” she says, removing her hands from my face as she waves them in my direction.
    “I’m glad I’m here for your amusement,” I reply dryly.
    Her eyes grow cold. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she takes a menacing step forward. “You dare to smart off to me?”
    My body goes rigid on the table, tensing, and waiting for her to strike. Closing my eyes, I hold my breath, anticipating the blow to come. When it doesn’t, I peel my eyes open one at a time to see her staring at me with open curiosity. With a gentle touch, she runs a soothing hand down my cheek as if she were caring for something she treasured. Wariness begins to set in as I stare back at the woman who gave me life. It’s as if a switch was flipped all of the sudden and someone else is standing in front of me now.
    “W-What are you doing?” I stammer.
    As my voice registers with her, the fog clears from her eyes and coldness settles back over her features. “You will do well to remember your place. We all have one. Forget that man. He means nothing.”
    “He isn’t nothing!”
    “Enough! You will join me or pay the consequences. We are bound by blood. You have no choice.”
    “You aren’t making any sense! What do you mean bound by blood?”
    “It is your duty. No time to explain now. Make your decision. Will you join me?”
    “No. I would rather die.”
    Anger flashes brightly in her eyes as she grabs the rag and water from her henchmen standing in the corner. Covering my mouth and nose with the cloth, she begins slowly pouring water as she annunciates each word, “That. Can. Always. Be. Arranged.”
    Violently shaking my head, I try and dislodge her while holding my breath. I’m only able to move for a few moments before her henchmen is there, holding me down so I’m completely immobile. Tears begin streaming down my face in earnest as I wonder what malevolent deed I’ve done in a past life to deserve this. What in the hell did I do that was so heinous to deserve a barbaric mother?
    My lungs begin to burn from lack of oxygen. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision as my limbs tremble from exertion. Unable to hold my breath any longer, I close my eyes, unwilling to look into her dark gaze for another moment. Right away, sharp stinging pains shoot through my left arm, causing me to suck in a breath full of water. Snapping my eyes open, I see the smug grin decorating my mother’s face. A painful tightness begins in my chest, constricting my lungs, tightening my throat.
    Unable to breathe, my body begins convulsing, my vision fading as my soul, my life begins slipping away. The voices that were once clear become a low hum as the room shifts, fading to black.
    Chocolate . . . dark chocolate, strawberries, and sunshine. My nose twitches. Warmth begins spreading along my skin as if I’m lying on the beach, soaking up the sun.
    His velvety voice thrums in my ear. “Open your eyes for me, baby.”
    Slowly, my lashes begin to unfuse to take in his ruggedly handsome face. Heat beats down on us from the unwavering sun, warming me to my core. How is he here? Wasn’t I just with her? Muscles in my body grow rigid, tensing beneath him. Reading the uncertainty in my eyes, he smiles.
    “Relax, you’re safe for now.”
    Dipping his head closer, he places a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. “You’re so incredibly beautiful, Goddess.” Wrapping his arms tightly around me, he pulls me into his chest. Humming, he begins feathering light touches along my spine as I melt further into him.
    “Alex?”
    “Hmmm?”
    “Where are we?”
    He doesn’t answer me right away, just continues stroking along my spine. The hair along my neck begins to tingle, standing on end. Something isn’t right. Am I dead? Well, that can’t be