Love's Predator (Love's Predator Trilogy Book 1) (20 page)

“You’d be best to do as you’re told from now on.”

Lindsey looked away, trying her best not to glare hatefully, but the man kept talking.

“This marriage affects everyone,” he told her.

But Lindsey did not care about them; all she cared about was Nadine and her daughter Katie. They were the only reason she would go through with this wedding. She would sacrifice her freedom for them, not to please the cult.

“Are you even listening, girl?” The man snapped.

Suddenly he was in front of Lindsey, his face was red with rage.

“Well?” He sneered.

“I think we all know where my priorities lie here,” Lindsey murmured.

“Why you little bitch!” The man shrieked angrily.
“I won’t have you ruin this!” His hand raised up, ready to strike, but Lynn’s yelp caught him before he could hit Lindsey.

“Don’t mark her!” She cried in distress, now pulling the man away from Lindsey. “She has to look perfect!”

Lindsey got up from the bed and wandered over to the window, staring out as Lynn escorted the angry man from the room, closing the doors behind them. Still a little shaken, Lindsey trembled as she pondered her fate. Now the drugs Kyle had given her to sedate her had completely worn off and the sharp sting of reality struck her hard.

There was no escape this time.

Chapter Twenty Six

Lindsey quickly lost count of how many times she thought of escaping
, but as the hour passed by, she knew she had no other choice but to give in and marry Kyle.

Lynn had left the room with Lord Jinx for a meeting between the cult members in the other room, a meeting Lindsey was not invited to. Every now and then Lynn would check on her and find Lindsey in the exact same position as she had left her, alone on the grand bed. But Lindsey was too deep and thought to notice her maid of honour.

Feeling defeated, Lindsey pictured herself walking up the aisle to Kyle. She shuddered, suddenly feeling cold and light headed at the thought. Lindsey wanted a way out, but saw no other route for her.

She felt too young to marry; there was still so much she wanted to do with her life. Now she was being shackled to Kyle, her husband, and to make matters worse she would forever be surrounded by the crazed cult who had arranged this terrible affair.
Her whole life was now to be curled around their cold, clammy fingers. It was not her life anymore; it was theirs.

Quietly, the door swung open and Kyle appeared. Lindsey watched him carefully from the bed, but Kyle did not come any further forward.

“I just want to tell you that I love you Lindsey,” he said very softly. “And that I know this isn’t how you pictured your wedding. It’s not how I pictured mine either.”

Lindsey continued to glare.

“But,” Kyle smiled. “This is the way it must be and once we are married you will grow to love me. We’ll be happy.”

“There it is again,” Lindsey sneered. “That phrase.” Her eyes flashed, still full of tears
which refused to fall from her blue eyes. “I will
grow to love you
.” She looked her head, laughing quietly. “You are deranged.”

Kyle lowered his head, sighing lightly. “Perhaps I am,” he agreed, surprising Lindsey. “But,” he added. “If I am deranged, it is only because I have fallen for you completely. I love you Lindsey.” He turned to leave but paused one last time, giving Lindsey one more glance.

She stared up at him, wearing a pained look that Kyle seemed to mirror.

“I’ll see you soon, my love,” he promised her softly. “My beautiful flower.”

Lindsey was speechless as he left. All she could do was stare after Kyle dumbly as the door closed behind him.

It was almost time.

Moments later, the man from before entered the room
again. He brushed his fingers through his ponytail and a creepy grin crawled across his face.

“I will give you away,” he told Lindsey firmly. “Being the second Lord it is my honour.”

“Lord Jinx,” Lindsey smirked.

She had always pictured her father giving her away, now this man who stood before her was going to be the one to hand her over to Kyle, like a lamb for the slaughter.

“No one will be giving me away. I will give myself away,” Lindsey decided swiftly. “At least let me have that.”

Lord Jinx fast approached the bed, storming over angrily as his face blazed red. “You listen here, girl! You have no choice!” He shouted loudly. “Now come on! Everyone is waiting for you!”

He reached out to snatch Lindsey’s arm but she jumped backward, quickly crawling over the bed and throwing herself off the other side.

“Get away from me!” She screamed hatefully.

But Lord Jinx came at her again, this time his hand was poised to strike. “Someone needs to teach you a lesson!” He hissed. “Kyle has been far too soft on you.”

Lindsey bolted for the door, yet Lord Jinx was fast. He flew after her, grabbing her wrist. Lindsey screamed in frustration as he yanked her back from the door and up against his chest. His hand was raised into the air and was coming down fast.

Lindsey closed her eyes, praying that it wouldn’t hurt. But no blow came.
Gradually, she felt Lord Jinx’s grip on her loosen, until she was completely free. She opened her eyes, just in time to see him fall to the floor behind her. Lindsey stared, covering her mouth as she suppressed a scream. Blood began to freely spill from his throat and he made a horrible gagging sound as his eyes bulged from their sockets.

“
Did he hurt you?” A silken voice asked from behind.

Still in shock, Lindsey slowly turned to face her sav
iour. He was staring back at her, his cloudy eyes fogged over by concern.

“Lord
Shade,” Lindsey whispered. “You killed him.”

“Yes,” he said bluntly.

His eyes flickered down to the body, but he was not afraid or remorseful. He took a step forward and gathered Lindsey into his arms, holding her close as he cradled her. Lindsey melted into him, finding a comfort in his arms like never before. Suddenly she felt safe and warm, something she hadn’t felt since her abduction.

“Shh,” he soothed gently. “Everything is going to be alright.”

“No,” Lindsey murmured into his chest. “It’s not.”

She knew he was just going to carry her down to Kyle.

Lord Shade held her tightly and Lindsey was calmed by his hot breath upon her neck. He hushed her again, now stroking her hair.

“Lindsey, I could make everything alright,” he told her gently.

Lindsey glanced
up and her gaze was caught by his eyes. She felt her defences weaken, as if she were slowly slipping under a spell.

“You have fallen into a dark world, somewhere you don’t belong
,” he said in a light tone, which almost sounded musical. “But if you agree to come with me, I can fix everything. I can give you the world you are destined for.”

Lindsey nodded sl
owly, her mind trapped in a daze.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Lord Shade smiled and wrapped an arm around Lindsey’s shoulders, leading her to the door like a lost child. But Lindsey was breaking out of the trance; her panic was caused by the wedding march she could hear down the stairs.

“No!” She cried. “You’re trying to trick me!”

She tried to pull away, but he began to speak again.

“No tricks Lindsey,” he swore to her, his voice still low and hypnotic. “
Lindsey, come with me of your own free will and I will be your saviour.”

Lindsey swallowed heavily, trying to consider her options, but at the time Lord Shade’s offer seemed to be the most tempting.

“But what about Nadine and Katie?” Lindsey whispered.

Lord Shade smiled gently and put his free hand onto his chest, quickly crossing an X over his heart. “I swear no harm will come to them,” he vowed.

Lindsey looked away from Lord Shade, feeling dizzy under his unfaltering gaze. His smile was soft and trustworthy
; yet those eyes were full of mystery. Could she trust him?

“Trust me,” he whispered, as if reading Lindsey’s mind. “Come.”

He pulled Lindsey forward and she gave no fight. Willingly, she followed him to the door and watched entranced as he opened it to reveal something far different from the hall she had stormed down earlier. Now a dark void lay before them and a bitter coldness slowly swirled out of it.

Fear gripped Lindsey and she took a step back, whimpering as she stared into the abyss before her.

“What is this?” Lindsey questioned fearfully.

“Trust me…” Lord Shade hissed into her ear.

“Yes,” Lindsey breathed.
She had fallen back under his spell.

Lindsey barely realised he was slowly guiding her towards the abyss; she was too overcome with a mixture of fear and dependency. She wanted to follow him, she longed to trust him.

“Lindsey, come willingly,” Lord Shade murmured.

“Yes…
” she whispered.

Lord Shade smiled, and w
ith one final step, they disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter Twenty Seven

Lindsey clutched Lord Shade’s hand and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t realise at the time, but she had held her breath when they had entered the swirling, dark abyss.

“Lindsey,” Lord Shade called gently.

She didn’t dare to peak, for fear that if she did she would see some sort of demon that would turn her to stone.

“Lindsey, you are safe, I promise.”

Gradually, Lindsey found the courage to open her eyes little by little. She examined her surroundings, which caused her mouth to drop open and her eyes to widen. She moved forwards. Her pale, dainty fingers reached out, grasping for something, unsure if it was all real or not. But Lindsey successfully gripped onto a great white pillar in the grand ballroom style room they had appeared in, confirming her eyes did not deceive her.

“What is this place?” She whispered.

Lindsey dropped Lord Shade’s hand and began to wander around the room, her wedding dress trailing on the ground as she moved gracefully across the marble floor. The fabric made a gentle sweeping sound.

She had never seen anywhere so beautiful in her entire life. Her enchantment grew with every glance
. She relished the intricate paintings of roses on long entwining vines and great, green gardens, drawing her fingers across the rose vines. But then Lindsey looked up and lost her breath completely. For above her was a starry night sky.

“Lindsey, this is my home,” Lord Shade told her warmly. “
And you are my honourable guest.”

“A guest?” Lindsey mused.

“Why, yes,” Lord Shade grinned widely. He moved towards Lindsey, taking her hands in his. “Not a prisoner. You can leave any time you wish, you only need ask.”

“Honestly?” Lindsey asked.

Now this she couldn’t believe.