very step. The building loomed above them, dark and foreboding, its windows glinting in the dim moonlight like watchful eyes. T

ark portraits and gilded sconces. Elena's gaze darted around, taking in the room's dark elegance, a blend of luxury and something more

y in the vast hall. He released her hand, and she nearly stumbled

demanded, her voice s

ble. "Because you're mine, Elena. And

ing over. "You keep saying that, but I don't understand. I

's much you don't know. About me... about yourself." He took a step toward

her ground. "I don't need to know anyt

closer, closing the distance between them, until she could feel the heat radiati

nd she clenched her fists, holding

ingers lingering just a moment too long. His touch was soft, deceptively tende

ore interesting," he murmured, alm

red, her voice a plea d

ou don't understand yet, but you

ration boiling over. "To be kidnapped? To

t his gaze. The intensity in his eyes was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a storm o

you, Elena-you were born to be mine. And that bond is som

e looked at her, that sent a shiver down her spine. The certainty in his words, the sheer conviction,

," she said, her voi

his grip loosening just slightly as h

dding toward a narrow staircase at th

hing her fists at her

sement flickering in his eyes. "You d

sion, in the way he looked at her as though he could see right through her defiance, left her feeling helpl

lway at the top was dimly lit by a single, flickering light. Doors lined either side, heavy and da

t the end of the hall and turned

m, suspicion twisting in her stomach. "So

re free to move around the manor as you wi

r arms over her chest.

Then you'll be brought back. No matter how ma

re was no doubt in his voice, no hint that he expected

open and nodded t

less prison cell. But it was surprisingly elegant-a large four-poster bed dominated the space, d

to find him standing just inside the threshold, w

tly, his eyes lingering on he

sked, her voice bar

rning and stepping out of the room, pulling the door shut behind him. She

alone.

dow, but a quick inspection revealed heavy bars behind the glass, making escape impossible. The books on the shelves f

me. It was her prison.

han the last. Who was Kael Thorn, really? Why had he tak

cing the shadows that danced across it as the night wore on. She didn't know how long she lay th

rk forests, of glowing eyes watching her from the shadows, of Kael's face, his

at bound her to him, as if some invisible force had wove

ed through the barred window,

e than she could fight. And Kael T