ght barely pierced the thick canopy above, casting eerie shadows that twisted and danced in her periphery. Her bare f

r heavy boots crushing fallen leaves, their snarls filled with the promise of dea

sharply to the left, narrowly dodging a dagger aimed at her spine. She stumbled,

ted from the darkness. Cold, cruel. A voice s

ushed forward. She wouldn't le

avy with mist. The sound of rushing water called to her a river.

e riverbank. The water was black under the moon's light, mo

un," Gareth sneered as he

ort. Gareth's dark eyes gleamed with amusement, and behind

kward. Cold water l

promise to make it painless," G

laring in her chest. "I don't believe you." A

current was stronger than she had expected, pulling her under, tumbling

had they caught her? But this grip was different. Firm yet not cruel. She was ya

alf-hidden in the mist. Tall, broad-shouldered, with piercing blue eyes that

rted, but he

voice low and urgent.

ds. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving pain and exhaustion in its wak

idden cabin, tucked away between towering trees. T

striding across the ro

uxury she couldn't afford. B

r shoulders and crouched beside

ng for deception. Finding no

hen you're in more d

e wooden walls. The warmth seeped into her frozen skin,

g to his muscles, his gaze unwavering. There was someth

your name," she murmured, h

elbows resting on h

g unspoken. Selene swallowed hard, her pulse quicke

," Damien said,

the last thi