ore her apart like she was nothing. Armani was dead. She was gone, and I would never see her again. They had taken th

still just a child, but I remembered it all vividly, like a scar etched into my brain. No one came to save me. Instead, they dumped me into an orphanage like a piece of unwanted trash. No one

thing and anyone in their way. Back then, I wanted to die. I thought it was a sign-a sign that I wasn't meant to survive. My whole life ha

I had to stay focused. I wondered if everyone else was okay. I prayed they had

It looked like a celebration. My eyes widened in shock at the sight before me. Men and women were dressed like me-in sheer, revealing clothing-and they

t unsettling how human they looked, how they could laugh and converse like ordinary people. If you didn't know bet

ked, his voice smooth and friendly. He had rich, c

arcel, it's good to see you ag

grin. "You even brought back a little pet, I see. Spoils o

r at the second man. "See, Arnold? I told you he wo

a nonchalant shrug. He wasn't as muscular as the others, but he had an in

topic quickly. "W

darting from face to face. "You kn

ways fashionably late," he said with a chuckle. "Bu

. The drink looked like wine, but who knew what it really was? I forced mysel

a stark contrast to the hard, cold floor I was used to. It looked like a VIP area, close to a larger, golden throne-like seat. Elijah sat do

e greeted him, her voice smooth and melodic. Her slave, a large, muscular man with dark brown hai

plied with a nod.

she responded, her smile fading slightly. "I'

nk. "He'll arrive when he pleas

liance, and her blue eyes were sharp and icy. She was easily one of the most beautiful women I

y water. The slave next to me, the handsome man with the dark brown hair, gave me a small nod

whispered, ba

t smile. "Liz,"

tay invisible, Liz. If yo

r the entire courtyard. Everyone stopped talking and moving, their gazes shifting towards the grand entrance. My heart pounded in my

ame. His jet-black hair, long and wavy, framed a face that could have belonged to a fallen angel-sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and lips that curled into a slight, knowing smirk. Bu

presence felt like raw power. It radiated off him in waves, suffocating the air around us. He m

tory smile spread across his face. I felt a shiver of pure terror course through me. I coughed-of all things, I fu

at sent a chill down my spine. He started walking t