Deceptive Lord (Lords of Bondage) by Corinne Balfour Page A

upward, past those areas not covered by cloth. He knew that she would feel solid masculine flesh in t hose invisible areas. She tugged the robe lower and spread the material flat, then halted when she noticed an area in the center rising conspicuously. He tried to ignore what she was doing and instead focused on weakening the shackles. He was nearly done and would be able to break free in seconds. The effort it had required to do that had exhausted him and he would be un able to sustain his invisibility. He knew it would have been better to stay invisible, because now he would have to do something about the witness. In seconds, he was free and he was also fully visible. He watched the shock form on her face and he didn’t miss how she let out a nervous giggle. He sat on the bed, keeping his eyes trained on the lady to prevent her escape, should she make an attempt.
    Eden couldn’t get past the fact that she had touched, sniffed, and licked this man just moments ago. He didn’t seem real to her when he was invisible, but it was a different matter now that he was visible and very much in the flesh. Her eyes shamelessly roamed over his naked body. “ Lord Woodcock?”
    He shook the remainder of the broken shackles free from his hands and feet. “Lady Eden.”
    His intense regard made her feel nervous, and her anxiety intensified when his irises started to glow an unnatural crimson shade. She glanced at the shattered metal lying on the bed. Slowly, horrific realization dawned as her initial shock faded. Red eyes, invisibility, disintegrating metal . That could only mean one thing – hybrids. What reason could a hybrid have to invade a harem? She couldn’t begin to guess, but it couldn’t be good. Anything she had ever heard of the alien hybrids suggested they only involved themselves with humans when they were waging war. They sure as hell weren’t known to come in peace. H er eyes widen ed in petrified fear. She backed away and turned as if to run, although she stopped in her tracks when he shook his head. “Lord Woodcock, how did you do that? Is that even your real name? Exactly what are you?” She did not expect him to answer her questions, not really. She was stalling, trying to figure out how best to escape with her life intact. If he could make himself invisible and disintegrate metal, he could probably kill her in seconds . Running may just make her death that much faster.
    “What do you think I am, lady?” He slowly moved from the bed and took a step toward her.
    “I don’t think you’re human. You’re not human, are you?” She paled and took a step backwards.
    “I’m not completely human . Do you understand what that means for you?”
    She shook her head and took another step backward. “You’re one of them. The ones from Asstrumnia, the ones that wage war on humans. The alien hybrid s. What are you doing here, in Avenal?”
    “Your people started a war with us many hundreds of years ago. We only wanted to be left alone.”
    “But we have left you alone. No one goes to your lands. Why are you here?” She backed up into a wall this time; she started to panic when she realized the hybrid was getting closer.
    “The Romans invaded our territories. I also understand that some of your people are allying with the Romans now. That makes you our enemies once again.”
    She debated whether or not she should make a run for it, but decided she would not make it far. “We didn’t even know you existed.”
    “Your people had forgotten our existence.” He shook his head again in warning. “Don’t run. You know I can’t let you walk out of this room. You’ve seen too much.”
    She ignored him and raced for the door, but right before she reached it, she slammed into his body. The man could move like a vampire, so she had a feeling that she was royally screwed . He locked his arms around her body , effectively restraining her. She struggled wildly, but she quickly realized her efforts were futile. She