its breath, waiting for something to happen. Lila meandered into the garden, the only sounds

d couldn't get rid of the feeling that someone was watch

and the light was scarce. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed two people standing together-Ethan and a man she didn't recognize-as sh

seemed to emanate from him, some

n between them. She inched forward, taking care to remain unseen, listening intently. The stranger growled, softly

n answered, "I haven't broken anything. The conditions

equirements? You're playing with uncontrollable forces. This is beyond you, Eth

s in his eyes, which was swiftly hidden under his normally icy demeanor. "I a

us murmur. "Do you believe you can keep her safe? That s

firm and low, saying, "Enou

"her" that they were alluding? Was it the picture of a woman? Or was it her? Lila emerged from behind the woods before she

ranger's eyes narrowed and a slow, sly smile stretched across his face. "That's her, then. The new Mrs.

ight now." Ethan said i

ugh of being misled and treated like a litt

ng on, please. What kind of agreement?

humor in his eyes. "Mrs. Cross, you ought to pay attenti

barely suppressed rage in his w

iety was giving way soon to a fierce curiosity and an unyielding determination

ackled like electricity. Ethan peered directly into her eyes, revealing a whirlwind of feeling

more. "Interesting. Really fascinating. But exercise caution, Mrs. Cross

urned on the man. "Leave," he grow

ed to imprint Lila's face to memory, he left a heavy quiet in his wake before turning and vanishi

ed, "What were you thinking? Are

made Lila flinch a little,

enough of being in the dark. You can't ign

a." His voice was low and menacing. "You are unaware of t

temper exploding. "Tell me what's h

to be haunted by something Lila was unable to comprehend. She briefly bel

he walls rose again, and

ordered, "Lila, stay out of it

o their tension, and while she was terrified, she was also drawn to him because of the unsaid bond that was simmering beneath the surface. Lila was confident of one thi