ng gala. Her footsteps echoed softly on polished floors as she sought

nd danger left her breathless. She'd underestimated him, and hadn't expected to feel anything beyond

g symbols indicating restricted access. Ariadne hesitated only briefly. Cu

against the scanner. A subtle beep acknowled

graphic screens and advanced research equipment. A hum of energy pulsed around her. A

rapidly, each line representing advanced, secretive experiments, things she'd only dreame

ckly turned to confusio

rembled slightly. She inhaled deeply, forcing calm into her rapidly beating heart.

thing int

ald eyes darkened with a dangerous intensity she hadn't yet witnessed. His powerful frame fi

re?" she demanded, voi

eliberate step closer, eyes scanning the screens behi

defensively, though the lie

ercing her thin attempt at deception. "Care to tell me exactly wh

ckly, stubbornly holding her ground despit

. "Right. Because we're carel

tightening her chest. "If anyone owes an explanati

refully, weighing his response. Then, slowly, his demeanor softened a subtle

explained," he finally said, vo

d sharply. "Not when

y gentle, almost pleading. "Trust

she whispered bitterly, eyes glittering

en them, tension and attraction blending dangerously. Her pulse quicke

murmured quietly, his voice suddenly r

ulnerability slipping through cracks she hadn

darkening further. His voice was husky, tin

ed softly, lifting her chin aga

y, his voice tinged with quiet anguish. "B

y hide t

omplicated," he admitte

d back, heart racing as sh

gaze fiercely intent. "Th

y, betraying deep emotion beneath her bold words. "Maybe

ibly wrestling with himself. "You'r

, refusing to back down. "But ma

ertips feather-light. She closed her eyes briefly at the cont

admiration mingling with regret in his

d back, opening her eyes again, let

etween caution and desire. "Are

ll alarm. The screens behind them flashed urgently, bathing their

ing?" she dema

owing as the reality of their situation snapped

e said urgently, adrenaline

her toward the exit. But the door sla

the sealed door, heart raci

anel, frustration evident. "We'r

wh

ession grim. "Someone who does

dangerous situation she'd stumbled into. Fear puls

he bone. "Someone who's afr

t her chest. Her hand tightened instinctively on h

ently, unspoken promises pa

presence, Ariadne knew their future h

ng in their path, especially the dangerous trut

reathing quickened as panic started to thread its way through her chest. Trapped in Elysion locked in a high-securit

whose presence unsettled her equilibrium. Even under stress,

n," she demanded, irrit

ed precision. "I always have a plan," he said quietly, wi

be a good time

"Patience, Ariadne. These security sys

onfident in each stroke. Ariadne's curiosity edged out her anxiety. Despite his wealth and influence, it was clear

e here," she muttered, shifting

fly, his jaw tight. "Let t

ow. "All alone? Imp

rs, darkly amused. "I'm never alone, Aria

sharpened, but the soft tremble betr

er. His emerald eyes were intense, searching hers

his steady gaze. "Maybe not," she adm

d faintly. "I'm

the sealed door, wrenching their attention back to i

toward a concealed panel near the far wall. "In here,

ely together, their breathing mingled in tense silence. Her pulse raced frantically, heat rising un

acing her face in the dim light. She held her breath, heart

pered, concern slipping t

softly, stubbornly holding his gaz

tious. "There's nothing unknown here," he murmured q

eeper implications, unspoken emotio

assured her grimly. "Thi

control layers that stirred something fierce and protective within her. "Maybe

ith emotions he kept ruthlessly hidden. "I've a

lenged softly, eyes flashing defiant

nd filled with intensity. "Is

e truth

s. "Truth comes at a price," he murmured, eyes darkening fur

at flooding through her veins.

lted instinctively against him, overwhelmed by sensations, surrendering briefly to the raw intensity. Time ceased to

sharply outside the concealed panel. Ariadne's puls

rs, silently urging caution. Voices murmur

e," said one, clipped and r

r mingled dangerously with the lingering heat of

hed almost inaudibly agai

eart hammered painfully in her ches

etreated slowly, voices

dden panel. He glanced back at her, urgency etche

they moved cautiously into the corridor. Shadows

frayed dangerousl

carefully. "People are afraid of exposure. T

eyes widening in comprehe

g fiercely in determin

ated and urgent. Ariadne clung tightly to Theon's hand, drawing st

urking beneath. But alongside fear and uncertainty burned something fierce and unden

ed skin. Theon turned swiftly to face her, urgency shining clearly in his eyes. "Yo

embled, betraying the v

s fingers tightened gentl

refully. "Be careful," she finally w

aint, achingly

iadne standing alone beneath Elysion's endless stars. Her heart ach

irrevocably changed her life and the man who'd left her b