Her lips parted but no denial burst from her.
He nodded. “Makes sense. Sexy face, sexy body. Built to tempt.” Once more, his gaze swept over her. Damn. “Every single part of you. Especially the voice.” But if that were the case, then she would be under his dominion. Sirens were dark creatures. Her power shouldn’t have worked on him. “I had too freaking much to drink,” he groused. His hand rubbed over his face. And another thought struck him. “How long was I out?” Because he didn’t feel even a little drunk any longer. Sure, he had an extremely fast metabolism—a nice paranormal bonus but— “A-a while,” she said. “I don’t know exactly…I was afraid to leave you but…” She pulled out her phone. Stared at the screen a moment, then said, “Had to be at least two hours.”
Two hours wasn’t so bad. Most paranormals would have been knocked out for at least twelve. And with two hours…I’d be able to push the alcohol out of my system. His hands curled around the bars. “What do you want from me?”
She sucked in a sharp breath, as if gathering courage, then she looked him right in the eye again. Her eyes brightened with her power and Luke knew she was getting ready to use her magic on him. His hold tightened on the bars, his hands turning white as she said— “I want the jewel. I need the Eye of Hell.”
Silence.
She swallowed. “You will give me the Eye of Hell.”
His right hand slowly unfurled from the bar. He lifted his hand.
She stepped toward him.
He curled his finger at her, the same way she’d done for him.
She inched closer. “You have it on you?”
“No, sweetheart, I don’t.”
Her shoulders fell. “But you will give it to me. You’ll tell me where it is. How to use it. You will give me the Eye—”
Luke started laughing.
“Uh, want to share what’s so funny?”
It took him a moment to quell his laughter. And, damn, but the woman was even sexy when she was mad. When she had that little furrow between her brows and her plump lips tightened and a hint of red touched her cheeks.
“Share,” she blasted at him.
“You’re what’s funny.”
The red in her cheeks deepened.
“I’m not drunk anymore.”
“Yes, so?”
“So…” Luke drew out the word. “Your sexy little power doesn’t work on me any longer. Not when I’m sober.”
She backed up a step. A quick back-up.
“It worked when I was drunk because I’d let down my guard.” Luke shook his head. “I’ll make sure not to make that mistake around you again.”
Her breath was coming faster. He could see the frantic jerk of her chest. “Yes,” he said, considering. “You probably should be afraid. After all, if you are a siren, well, then that means you’re mine.” Part of the dark world that he commanded.
“I’m not yours,” she whispered.
We’ll see about that.
“Just give me the Eye,” Mina said, almost pleading. “And you don’t ever have to see me again. I’ll leave you alone, I promise.”
“Who said I wanted that?” Now his gaze dipped over her. “I believe there were…promises exchanged.” He smiled at her, and he knew his grin would be evil. “Besides, do you truly think I’ll just let you walk away from me now? You imprisoned me. You drugged me—”
“The gassing was an accident! I didn’t mean to hit the button!”
“Like you didn’t mean to lock me in this fucking cage?”
She bit her lower lip. A waste. He could do that for her.
After a moment, she gave a long exhale. “That part wasn’t an accident,” Mina admitted. “The whole locking-you-in thing was deliberate.”
He would not let her charm him. But…most others would have been cowering before him in that moment. She was scared, he could smell her fear, but she was still standing up to him.
Sexy.
Dangerous.
His head cocked. “Why do you want the Eye?”
She didn’t speak. Always a bad sign when a siren doesn’t speak.
“Did I ask the wrong question?” He rolled back his shoulders. “Fine, let’s try again…who is it that you want to destroy? Because that’s what the Eye does. I don’t know what stories you’ve heard, but the Eye doesn’t give power. It takes it away.” Mostly true.
Mostly.
He’d always been good at bending the truth. One of his specialties.
“I know that,” she said, but she backed up another step.
“Then you’re bloodthirsty.” Luke nodded. “I find that trait very attractive in a woman.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “I’m pretty sure you find every trait attractive in a woman,” she fired back.
He laughed. Dammit, she was fun. If he weren’t currently caged…
“Why are you looking at me that way?” Mina asked, nervously tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
“Because I want to fuck you.”
Another quick back step. “That isn’t happening.”
It so will.
“This is what’s going to happen.” Her chin notched up. “You’re going to tell me where I can find the Eye or I am going to leave you in that cage.”
He shrugged. “Leave me here.”