il

and silent way. Not fast, but certain. Like it kn

, hands gripping my sides, trying to hold something in. Or maybe keep something out. The leather be

t look

ldn

ldn

hts bled into each other-pink neon, green traffic lights, golden storefronts. A

ady

buildings and dark alleyways. Then those gave way to fences and trees and long, winding roads lit onl

r with every turn of the wheel. The kind of fear that didn't scream-but whispered. Constant

did

eath my sleeves. My stomach turned in on itself. I didn't want to know w

t shift in momentum. A

oked

t etched into the center. Sharp lines and a symbol I didn't recognize. Th

rse th

here belo

claws. Their branches tangled above us, moonlight slipping through in slivers, slicing the pavement

en I s

ho

t a h

ort

s like slabs of black glass, sharp angles that looked more like weapons than architecture. There

it

arched entryway. The engine clicked off. The

ent, no o

with a soft click. Footsteps crunched across g

gency. No tension. No acknowledgment that he'd just stole

y door

dn't

't speak. He ju

I fel

s o

d turned

that gaze-sharp, unreadable,

going to h

going

hoice-but on

lose. If I ran,

my cheek, the sting of it sharp,

o

omething I

eppe

ned my spine, lifted my chin. Met his

w of obedience, he

a game, I wa

d-barely. A shift

urned. "F

di

myself

had been stolen from a cathedral. Marble floors gleamed beneath soft recessed lighting. Ev

rfect posture. Pale unif

ir

low. "Show her

ro

mi

ed to me. "Fo

ed. Only

fol

allway to the right, his f

n't lo

he didn'

s mind, I was

rdered by polished steel. We climbed in silence. The air felt d

al. Not one of them with any persona

ts, tucked neatly

he end of the hall an

is you

pped

the stillness. The kind that d

something out of a high-end hotel magazine. White and sil

chaise. A bed big enou

ows looked out over n

oom anyone el

m

as a

ough there. Clothes have been provided.

be

n't r

rtbeat, then dipped he

icked shut

re for a mo

arely giving under my weight. My hands stayed clenche

as hap

was

was

not

er