From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

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My teeth clench together from how hard I’m grinding my jaw. I do the same with my fists and feel my nails digging into my skin. I take a step forward, intent on getting closer to him, until Ciro steps in my way. I know he doesn’t mean harm–he genuinely doesn’t want me to get hurt. What he doesn’t know is that he shouldn’t be worried about me. Not when fury is beginning to blind me.

I never thought any threat against Cassian could unhinge me this way.

“Lower the weapon,” Aeron says in a soothing tone.

“No, I won’t. We all think the same! It’s time for Cassian to step aside and let us take over. The Diluted grow stronger every day, and we grow fewer!”

Cassian is incapable of losing that arrogant smirk, even with a dagger at his throat. It would be easy for him to move his hand and end a life. But doing so would only confirm to the others how little he values them–how disposable they truly are to him.

“And you think killing me will fix the problem? You’re an idiot, that’s why you don’t get to make decisions.”

“You’re a stone in the road.”

And you’re a speck of dust. What was your last name again? Let me think…”

He puts on a thoughtful face, as if genuinely trying to recall.

“It must not be very important, because I remember all the surnames on the Council, and I don’t recall any named ‘Pathetic.”

The Pureblood’s face turns red–something I thought impossible–and in an act of rage and recklessness, he drags the dagger across Cassian’s throat. The sight of blood pouring from his neck with no restraint makes me open and close my fists. I feel a sting on my lower lip, and heat courses through my veins as if I had lava instead of blood.

“Get away from him!” I scream.

My hands are trembling, and I feel my self–control breaking apart piece by piece. Memories of that day–when so much was stolen from me—flood my mind, and a raw, visceral fear shakes me from head to toe at the thought of losing anything more. They say rage is red, but I see everything in white.

“Elara…”

My name escapes from Ciro’s lips like a sigh. If it’s possible, his face has gone even paler, and if I look closely at the others, I’d bet the same has happened to them. I don’t need a mirror to know what’s happened–I can feel my fangs pressing into my lip.

And yet, the panic I expected to feel doesn’t come.

No.

What I feel is a deep, utterly feral rage.

Even though I know he’s strong–probably the most powerful–I don’t want anyone touching him.

“Get. Your hands. Off him,” I say with a falsely calm voice.

I see the Pureblood’s Adam’s apple bob as he gulps, and the exact moment when the pressure of the dagger weakens. Cassian elbows him effortlessly and frees himself, brushing off imaginary dirt and adjusting the lapels of his jacket. The only sign of this altercation is the blood on his neck–calling to me at the worst possible moment.

In the blink of an eye, I feel his hand on my waist, pulling me toward him.

Everyone stares at us with varying expressions.

The most common one?

Fear.

“Your eyes turned white.” There’s amusement in his voice. “I never thought anyone else could make them look at her the way they look at me. That’s my girl.”

I’d love to laugh, but the tension in the air is starting to clog my throat. He senses it just as clearly as I do, and with that wicked smile

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4:42 PM d

Chapter 161

etched on his lips, he tugs me toward the door. The silence is sepulchral, and for a moment, I can’t believe this is happening.

Am I leaving?

Just like that?

A hand wraps around my wrist and pulls me back.

Ciro.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he says, looking straight at Cassian. “You can’t take her.”

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I hear the breath leave Cassian’s nose as he slowly turns to face the vampire. His irritation is perfectly masked under that grin that unsettles everyone and his glacial stare. But I can feel his fury, pounding fists inside my head like they’re looking for an exit. His grip on my hip tightens–more possessive. I’ll probably have his fingers imprinted on my skin, and there’s not a single part of me that minds.

“Your time playing house is over,” Cassian

cold, deadly tone. “She’s coming with me, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

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