ach glided into the subterranean garage, the hum of the electric engine was replaced by the synchronized clicking of heels and the sharp, rhythmic

ed in a cage. Every time her grip loosened even a fraction, his chest would hitch, and that low, guttural rattle would return to his throat. She stay

an with silver hair pulled into a knot so tight it looked painfu

ld, but it carried the absolute authority of a woman who

acles. "Miss, he is in the middle of a sensory collapse. W

ing onto the doctor's. "Look at the monitor. His heart rate is dropping beca

indeed smoothing into a steady, rhythmic wave. The oxygen levels were climbing. The only anomaly in t

ack to allow the gurney to slide into place.

that reflected the flickering fluorescent lights of the medical wing. There were no paintings, no rugs, nothing that could t

that looked almost like liquid silver. As the medics maneuvered Cassian onto the mattress, Vespera was forced to climb onto the edge of the bed to maintain her grip. She felt th

inutes of tense silence. "We've administered a ligh

her voice dropping to a lo

hand tightened until her knuckles turned white. His eyes did not open, but a lo

here is a chair. Move it as close as you need. But if his v

y," Vespe

an's across the silver sheets. The adrenaline that had carried her from the Moretti ballroom was beginning to ebb, leaving behin

rket. But here, stripped of his armor and his gloves, he looked fragile. His jaw was sharp, his eyelashes casting long shadow

Silas Moretti thought he had erased her. He thought that by taking her name and her r

the weapon I need, she thought. And it s

ows, Cassian's eyes suddenly snapped open. They were not clouded with sleep

hen up at her face; the tangled dark hair, the amber eyes rimmed with exhaustion,

is voice came out as a low, dang

d. Her voice was steady, despite the fact that h

ealing the lean, corded muscle of a man who kept himself in peak physical condition as

scussing a mid-level merger rather than her public execution. "Silas Moretti is a fool. He threw away

grip on his hand remaining firm. "He set me free.

him was intoxicating; sandalwood and something cold, like

red. "And I think I am the only one who can keep you from col

deep, aching hunger; crossed his face. "Many have tried to cure me, Vespera. Doctors, th

skin. "I'm trying to weaponize you. You give me the resources to burn the Moretti name into the dirt, and I will be your shield

om was the soft whir of the air filtration system. Then, he

. He did not flinch. He did not shudder. He squeezed her h

, his voice dropping to a silk-soft threat. "They're wro

of the bruised skin. The touch was light, almost a ghost of a sensa

" he murmured. "Try not to break anythin

or's

ge is just beginning. Cassian is awake, alert, and clearly just as intense as the rumors suggested. I loved

he seems to be adapting to Vespera very quickly. Is it a miracle, or is he just as

era is safe in this house, or has she jumped from the frying pan into the fire? I