Unbound: The Cursed Trilogy, Book One by Betty Legend (small books to read .txt) 📕

I’m going to help break the curse? I’d like to know where I am, and I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.”

Griffin points to the curtains. “Take a look.” He stands there with a smug look, like what I’m about to see will surprise me. This seems dramatic. I’m probably in a hotel room or the guest room of one of these rich boys’ houses.

Pulling the curtain back reveals lush greenery and trees near to the window and beyond that, a sparkling sandy beach with an ocean matching the color of Griffin’s gorgeous eyes.

“Where are we?”

“A private island.”

Shit, that means it’s only airplane or boat to get out of here.

“Whose private island?”

“My people.”

Here we go again.

“Fae island, huh?”

“It’s called Mordeeves Island.”

“So, we’re on Maldives Island?”

“That’s the island known to man. You’re on the island not known to man.”

Griffin’s voice is eerily close. Glancing over my shoulder, I jump. He’s right there, right fucking there next to me. I didn’t hear him take a step. I need to be more cautious of this creep.

Yanking the curtain all the way open, I put space between us.

“Right. So, this isn’t a fancy resort, and outside of this resort, there won’t be any humans?”

“Correct.”

I point around the room. “This looks a lot like a resort hotel room.”

“I do like luxuries. I’m not an animal.”

“What happened to the charming, kind Griffin I met? Why are you doing this to me?”

“I didn’t choose you. Fate did.”

Storming past him, I walk to the bathroom.

“I can’t play this game with you.”

Swinging the door all the way open reveals all my products and makeup. At least he had the decency to pack the important things. Turning on the silver faucet, I splash water on my face and look in the mirror at my tired eyes. Griffin’s tall, radiant figure fills the threshold behind me. It’s eerie how freakishly quiet he is.

“Can I please get something to eat? Do they have room service here?”

“They don’t, it’s not a resort, but yes, I’ll get you something to eat.” He turns to leave, then stops. “Please don’t try to go out the windows. They don’t open. Don’t try to leave. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Get hurt? What the hell? I grimace in the mirror at him.

“Whatever. Food, please.”

As soon as he’s gone, I go in search of my phone, checking every drawer, under the mattress, in my clothes. Of course, it’s gone. Right now, Griffin is my only ticket to getting out of this place, so I’ll try to play this game in hopes he’ll let me leave.

When he returns, I’m leaning against the window, looking out at the beautiful ocean. It looks like paradise, yet I’m stuck in this room in some sort of hell.

Griffin brings in a tray with food that looks incredible—chicken breast with creamy risotto, a bowl of assorted fruits, and crème brûlée for dessert.

“I knew you liked Italian.”

The aroma of the food has my mouth salivating. So, he’s not a total heathen. He remembered what I liked and is trying to accommodate me. Maybe this can be a super weird vacation.

Griffin sets the tray on the bed, and I slide onto the mattress, my eyes locked on the delicious smelling food. I pick up a fork and hold it above the risotto.

“You didn’t mess with it, did you?”

Griffin laughs, that light, airy sound I believe is genuine. “No, you seriously don’t know how valuable you are. I wouldn’t poison or drug your food.”

Valuable?

“Am I the valuable thing you came to New York to acquire?”

Griffin sits on the bed but keeps a comfortable distance.

“Yes,” he replies matter-of-factly.

“Why me? Did you pick me out of a crowd? Did you and your friends pick out the characteristics of a woman in advance of your trip?”

“No, we had no idea what you looked like until I saw you in a vision. When I saw you in person at the coffee shop, you took my breath away.”

Griffin is staring at me with unusual intensity. I’m not sure if I should be scared or flattered.

“How did you find me?”

“Cyrus did a tracking spell.”

“So, we’re back to this again?” Griffin lifts a brow as though I’m the crazy one. “Okay, sure, your friend Cyrus did a tracking spell. Now that I’m here, what am I supposed to do?”

“We need to work on bringing out your inner magic.”

I slap the bed. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?”

Griffin seems unaffected by my sarcasm.

“You laugh now.”

“And if I don’t have any magic in me, are you going to send me back to New York and track your next magic girl?”

Griffin runs a hand through his hair, and I get a full view of one of his ears and how it flexes when his jaw does. That’s weird. I wonder…

While he’s distracted, I touch my finger to the tip and essentially finger his ear. Griffin snatches my hand midair as I draw back, and this time, I catch the glimmer in his eyes as he stares into mine, and those eyes of his are definitely shimmering. As his nostrils flare, the familiar tingling sensation occurs where he’s gripping my wrist.

“Don’t touch my ears, please.”

“I’m sorry. Are you sensitive about them?”

“It… it arouses me when you touch them.”

Instinctively, I look down, and he laughs.

“Not that aroused.”

I take another bite, feeling relaxed for the first time since waking up in this resort.

“Were you born with them like that, or did you have them cosmetically done?”

“I was born with them.” He lets out an exasperated sigh. “This isn’t a game. I’m telling you the truth, but I can tell you’re not going to believe me until I show you. I’ll let you finish your meal. When you’re done, I’d like to take you for a walk.”

“Is that a request or a demand?”

“A request. I meant what I said. I’m not going to hurt you. You’re important to me.”

The way he says important to me is filled with emotion. This whole situation is so creepy. Griffin is