Summoned and Stolen (Summoned Series Romances) Read Online Free Page B

off the effect of Lily’s song. He watched with concern as she grew paler, her delicate features contorting into a grimace of pain. When her song faded to sobs he had to remi nd himself to remain impassive. All he wanted to do was to gather her into his arms and ease her suffering however he could.
    Leave it be. That line of thinking is going to get me killed.
    Camford’s reaction to his newest possession’s sobs was quite different than Kel’s. His face screwed into a thunderous scowl and he slapped a hand down on the table. “What did you try to do to me?” he demanded.
    Lily shook her head in denial. “Nothing, master!”
    “Liar! You had to have done something! I saw the torc causing you pain!”
    “I only tried to make everyone feel better. I didn’t mean any harm, master.” She dropped to her knees and bowed her head in an attempt to placate the angry Duke, but Kel knew Camford would not forgive her so easily.
    “Come here, slave. I’ll teach you what happens to those who lie to me. I know what that torc does, and I know it only would only cause you pain if you were trying to do me harm.”
    Lily didn’t want to go anywhere near her master, but the power of the torc compelled her obedience. The moment she was with his reach Camford lashed out, striking her across the cheek with one ring-encrusted hand. Her lip split from the blow and the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. He pulled back his hand for another blow, only to pause when the mercenary spoke.
    “I believe you gave her to me for this night, Your Grace. If you damage h er, then she’s of no use to me…as my bonus.”
    Lily peeked over at Kel, grateful for his intervention. Her gratitude faded to dismay as she took in his pursed lips and chilly gaze. His kind eyes and gentle smile were gone. Now, he looked like the brutal killer whose name she’d heard spoken in hushed, fearful tones. As she waited in silence for her master’s response, she couldn’t help but wonder which was Kel’s true face, and which was the mask.
    “Aye . A valid point,” Camford said, turning his attention to Kel. “But she does need to be punished. Are you offering to discipline her on my behalf?”
    Lily’s heart sank as the big warrior nodded curtly, his eyes as cold as a winter sky. “I am.”
    “You’ll give me your word?” Camford asked.
    Kel’s response was to curl his lip and stand, filling the room with his presence. “You would question my integrity?”
    Camford shook his head slightly. “Of course not, my fine fellow. I was merely confirming your intentions, nothing more.” He turned his attentions back to Lily, pressing a fat thumb against her swollen mouth and smearing the blood across her lips. “You will obey Kel as if he were your master until sunrise tomorrow, pretty one.”
    “Yes, master. I will obey him as if he wore my ring instead of you,” Lily managed to get the words out past her swollen lips. It was a terrible risk, but if he failed to catch the nuance of what had been said, she would have bought herself a small amount of freedom. At least until dawn. Lily had to hope that her first impression of Kel had been the right one. If she was wrong, she had simply traded one cruel master for another.
    Camford was gloating now, enjoying having her at his mercy. “Yes, you will. Perhaps an evening with the leader of the War Dogs will make you appreciate my gentler nature.” With that, he shoved Lily away before wiping her blood from his hand with a moue of distaste.
    Kel wasn’t sure when he’d lost control of his tongue, but it had clearly happened at some point. That was the only explanation for why he was now on his feet, lying through his teeth to protect a pleasure slave. Truly, the Gods were in rare form today.
    The moment Camford pushed Lily away, Kel made his move. He covered the space between them in three long strides, scooping her up and over his shoulder before the Duke or anyone else could interfere. He swatted the