Haye

shoes appeared in my line of sight. A shad

knew that scent-cold, domi

ng Aiden

pathy. He was looking down at me, a king observi

e you." I tried to keep my v

own, bringing his face level with mine

now?" he asked softly, his words

led me there on purpos

ous. Curious to see how you would react. What do you pla

? How c

The humiliation, the betrayal-it all ignited into a white-hot rage. Why? W

rrogance, an assump

ld not sh

pay. And I knew that this man, this powerful, cruel

ha King. The chasm between us was impossi

iration struck

he back of my hand and pushed myself

mirrored his earlier smirk, tho

etween us until I could see a flicker of surp

deliberately brushed my fingertips against the hard column of hi

a low, seductive purr I didn't know I possessed, "why sh

kiss to his lips. A kiss that held no lov

had ever done. I was gambling on the fai

arkened. His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist,

of pain escaping my lip

were no longer purely gray; they carried a hint of gold. I knew that was

ha power. It pressed down on me, making my k

ain. Or worse, to take what I was

lent moment, and then his grip loosened

ce still edged with mockery, but

it jacket and pulled something out, pressi

piece of black obsidian. A complex sigil of

is?" I aske

gain vast and unbridgeable. "If you decide you want revenge in a way that

p? His company? M

cold again as if he'd read my mind. "I'm not helpi

isdain in his voice was humiliating, b

questions. He turned, his long stride

obsidian token. It felt like a b