med shut with a final, metallic clang. The sound

l bag resting on my knees. It held my clothes, my few earthly possessions, and the silver dagger I kept hidden in the

a home. It wa

d from dark marble crouched on the rooflines, their stone eyes seeming to track our approach. The magical ward

g portico. A shifter guard opened my door.

od at the top of

in a crisp black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. The dark fabric stretched acr

ucted the guard. His voice was a low rumble t

to the cavernous foyer. I gripped the strap of

e walls. Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, casting fractured light across the polishe

ocused on the broad expanse of his back, refusing to let him see how fast my heart was b

avy oak door at the end of

w in the dim lighting of the hallway. "You will sleep here. You will take your meals here or in

reminded him. I kept my chi

s syndicate. You proved your worth tonight. But worth makes you a target. The other monster factions will

faction leader and watched Leo tur

nd," I repl

he wet fabric of my coat collar. He adjusted the lapel with a terrifyingly gentle precision. T

Rest for a few hours. We

terly silent on the thick carpet. I pushed

s. A king sized bed sat in the center, covered in dark silk sheets. A fire cra

y cameras tracked every angle. I was trapped. But as I set my satchel on the desk, a cold surge of determination flooded my veins. Being

itself over the city skyline. I

n the heavily guarded west wing. It was a sprawling room filled with ancient tome

st a few feet away. I was close enough to see the steady rise and fall of his chest. I was close

ather bound book onto my table. It landed with a heavy thud. "The numbers from the goblin fac

he columns of numbers. My mind was sh

uting orders. He operated with a lethal stillness. For two straight hours, the on

e vibrated aga

ed for ten agonizing seconds. His golden eyes never left my face

ft, even tone. "Leave the doors locked. Make sure

ust condemned a dozen men to a fiery death w

d to keep writing smoothly. I could not

a side table. He poured a glass of water, the ice clinking softly against the

rutal monster who just ordered a warehouse burned do

, crossing his arms over his chest. He was so close his shadow fell over

s brushed against the condensation. I took a slow sip, hy

dropped an octave, vibrating with that dark, possessive ener

I replied, setting the glass down. "

rich sound that made my pulse

the office swung open. Leo strode in. He looked rumpled

focusing his chaotic energy on his older brother. "The werewolf packs are

noyance crossing his sharp featur

s ordered me. "I will be in the war room

room. The heavy doors c

t frozen for ten seconds, listening fo

ly. My heart slamm

alone in his private sanctuary. If the Primal Ledger was

f the office drained away, replaced by the g

e, gray threads of basic security magic. But as my gaze swep

sing web of thick golden magic. It was a ward. A very old, ve

an rug. I reached the bookshelf. The magical pressure radiating from the hidden safe wa

ust unravel the edge of the golden threa

ks. My fingertips tingled with

enn

rozen blade slidi

my magical sight in a panic. The wo

door. His golden eyes were locked onto my raised hand. The preda

his desk. I was caught reac

replaced by a suffocating wa

or's

does not seem like the forgiving type, especially when it comes to his private sanctuary. Let me know your best theories on how