Ensnared (Sorcery and Science Book 5) (31 page)

“So I killed her. And paid the price.”

She was dealing with the Prophetic Whiplash. For now. But as her trembling hands could attest, her mind had suffered a substantial blow.

“When I got back, I set my plan for both our escapes into motion. I complained to Aaron that having you so close made me nervous. He was glad to be rid of you, so he had Lord Adrian arrange to take you away. Just before I slipped out of the palace, I asked Ariella to tell our Elition allies to join the Selpe soldiers who would be moving you from your cell. They disabled the security cameras in the entire prison and locked off your section from the others, trapping most of the prison guards behind closed doors. And they were to stand ready in case you couldn’t handle the remaining soldiers alone. I figured they’d given you an Inhibiting Serum.”

“They had. It wasn’t a problem,” he told her.

“Of course not,” she replied with a weak smile. “So there it is, Jason. I know it doesn’t absolve me, but I did everything I could to ensure you would be free again.” She reached out to touch his hand, but it still clenched around the support beam. “I’ve missed you.”

He turned his eyes, smoldering blacker than ever, on her. The scorching burn of them, as cold as a blizzard and as hot as the sun, made her stumble back. Before she could trip over her own feet, his hand clamped down around her wrist, locking her in place. His other hand detached from the beam and opened, raining out wood chips. He swooped it around her back, his eyes frightening as he pulled her in closer. His head brushed past her neck, his cheek settling upon her jawline. They were pressed so close together, Terra could feel the thump of his pulse. Not sure what to expect, she waited tensely, barely daring to breathe. Though she’d heard accounts of enraged Phantoms, being cheek-to-cheek with one was another thing altogether. They were as volatile as a predatory animal and many times more dangerous. All the promises in the world wouldn’t protect her if Jason snapped.

“I didn’t enjoy my time in that prison cell,” his teeth grated against her ear.

“I’m sorry.”

“Shush. I’m not done,” he snapped. “I also wasn’t pleased that you drugged and delivered me into a room of Selpe soldiers.”

“Jason—”

“Stop,” he growled.

Terra forced her lips to stop moving and tried to relax her tense posture. It was clearly only inciting him.

“Good.” He pulled back until they were nose-to-nose. “With all that said, I find myself unable to blame you. I’m just relieved to have finally found you.”

Terra exhaled all the pent-up air in her lungs, leaning into his chest. She nestled her face into his shoulder, allowing his scent to seep up into her nose, the mixture of spice and Winter’s Mint permeating her skin until her head was dizzy with it. Slowly, a warmth filled her, and she began to feel content. And, for the first time in a long time, safe.

Jason folded one arm around her waist, and he stroked the other hand slowly up and down her arm, her skin tingling from the contact. She crocked her head back to look at him and found that his eyes hadn’t lost their darkness. But rather than rage, she read only a protective watchfulness in them. Such a glower would have made even Lord Adrian think twice about coming closer. Terra relaxed back into Jason’s arm. It was nice to know someone had her back—someone who was scary enough to give the antagonists of her nightmares a few nightmares of their own.

Jason’s soft kiss caressed her cheek. As his lips swept across her jaw, trailing down her neck, Terra’s breath caught in her throat. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, turning so her mouth could find his. His lips brushed teasingly past hers, and then he kissed her—smoothly, leisurely. Her pulse beating like a drum in her ears, Terra clutched her fingers around his neck, trying to pull him in closer.

Jason pushed back, a twinkle in his dark eyes. “Get some sleep, Terra,” he said, flicking a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Then he opened the door and walked outside.

Terra leaned against the doorway, catching her racing breath. She watched him slip untouched through the hailstorm and disappear into his house just across the trail from hers. Exhaling deeply, she settled herself and closed the door, for the first time in a long while not frightened by the prospect of tomorrow.

What's coming next?
Shadowstorm
(Book 6) is coming in early 2016.

If you want to be notified when I have a new book—and to get other goodies like early review copies—head on over to my website to sign up for my mailing list at
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Ensnared
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Books by Ella Summers

Sorcery and Science

1
 
Enchanted

2
 
Wilderness

2.5
 
Menace

3
 
Machination

3.5
 
Revelations

4
 
Skybuilders

4.5
 
Masquerade

5
 
Ensnared

6
 
Shadowstorm
[Early 2016]

Dragon Born Serafina

1
 
Mercenary Magic

2
 
Magic Games

Dragon Born Alexandria

1
 
Magic Edge

2
 
Blood Magic
[Early 2016]

And
more books
coming soon…

About the Author

Ella Summers has been writing stories for as long as she could read; she's been coming up with tall tales even longer than that. One of her early year masterpieces was a story about a pigtailed princess and her dragon sidekick. Nowadays, she still writes fantasy. She likes books with lots of action, adventure, and romance. When she is not busy writing or spending time with her two young children, she makes the world safe by fighting robots.

Originally from the U.S., Ella currently resides in Switzerland. She is the author of the fantasy adventure series
Sorcery and Science
and the urban fantasy series
Dragon Born.