Chapter 0408

“Do you prefer solitude?”

“Yes.”

A faint line creased his brow. “Never felt the need to find your other half?”

“No.”

“Isn’t that the goal for every male? To find their destined one and build a life.”

“Not for me.” My vision had sharpened enough to catch the subtle irritation my words sparked. “My life was never about searching for a mate. My upbringing was different. What drives me is knowledge.”

“Power?”

“No, knowledge. Understanding how things work. Uncovering secrets hidden in plain sight.”

“That explains the books.” A slight smile touched his lips. “What other interests do you have?”

“Why does it matter to you?”

“Call it curiosity.” He shifted to face me fully. The scent of leather and tobacco was potent, but it felt deceptive. A lure I had no intention of taking.

“I enjoy helping others.”

“But you won’t help me?” His eyebrow arched.

“You found me in a hospital. What kind of help do you imagine I provide?!”

“Fair point. But we could assist each other.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Not ready for that yet. Fine. You will be. You’ll want to help me. That’s what mates do.”

“Is that what you told all the others?”

He chuckled, spinning back in his chair and propping his feet on the table. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed anyone’s company as much as yours, mate.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“I’ll call you mate until you accept the truth.”

Levi surprised me by falling asleep again. He likely sensed I had nearly regained my strength. His only move had been blocking the door. I flexed my wrists and snapped the rope. Quietly, I rose, checking the windows for another way out.

Everything was locked. Shattering the glass would cut my escape time short. I stood frozen in the center of the room, weighing my limited choices. Finally, I raided the fridge and cupboards for something more substantial than fruit.

Fortunately, Seraphina had tinned sausages hidden deep in a cupboard. Not much, but it was protein. Better than fruit.

I moved through the house, peeking into both bedrooms. One was clearly Seraphina’s. Immaculate, except for a facedown photo on the nightstand. I recognized her mother holding a baby I assumed was Seraphina.

The second bedroom was chaos. An open suitcase spilled clothes onto the floor. Garments were strewn across the bed. Dirty plates and glasses sat in odd places. Shattered perfume bottles littered the carpet near the bed. If I didn’t know better, I’d think a teenager lived here, not Evelyn.

I caught Levi’s scent on the stairs. His footsteps were heavy from running.

“I thought you’d escaped!” He stared at me, the broken rope dangling from his hand.

“I considered it. But I was hungry.”

“Why are you in here?” he asked softly.

“Trying to understand a few things.” I turned to face him. Shadows crossed his features, but his intense gaze was unmistakable. “You took Evelyn’s abilities, didn’t you?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“She was your first test subject, right? But the dose was too strong. It wasn’t meant to last this long. She was the first you kept in that prison. You held her there because you knew you’d messed up. She had to stay close so you could monitor her.” I threw his own words back at him.

“Is that what you did to Hannah and Seraphina? Gave them the same dose as your sister? So it’s not permanent? It just takes years to fade?”

“Are you seriously accusing me of doing this to my own sister?”

“Yes. I think you grew tired of her interfering. You finally snapped. Now, somehow, she aids you. What was she supposed to be? A guard for Seraphina?”

“You really are clever, Theodore.”

I stayed silent as he began to laugh, muttering to himself. “Of course I’d be mated to someone who reads between the lines.” “We are not mates. This is a trick. I’m just your prisoner.”

He removed his jacket, letting it drop to the floor. His fingers worked quickly on his shirt buttons.

“Witches, and even half-breeds like me, are born with a mark over the heart. Many call it a Witch’s Mark.” He reached the final button and paused. “But the mark is actually the initials of our true mate.”

He tore the shirt open. Above his heart, in deep red, were the clear letters TA. “Now, remind me. What is your name?”

“Theodore Anderson!” I laughed.

“Before you were adopted.”