her wrists aching from th

walls and tall, arched windows. The ceiling rose far above her, lost

a fo

hosp

squerading

reaths. She tried to sit, but her limbs were stiff, her muscles

r creak

here

n

ys. His black coat fell perfectly over his frame, and his eyes-obsidi

home,"

scre

stone hallway like a warni

-

, raw skin around her wrists remained. She sat up slow

hadn't

es swallowed any hint of daylight. Though the fireplace cont

ck and suffocating. Even the wal

oor-warm bread, soup, and something

ed with hunger, b

Was this how he

r opene

time in the world. Hands behind

aid, voice calm. "You'

instinctively until her s

m me?" Her voice crac

ightly, as though the

want you here. That's

"Let me go. Please.

ere slow, deliberate. "But time

e enough to feel the unnatural c

re rules

mbled.

e: You do not attempt to escape. Two: You do not touch the

one shifted-quieter,

r ear, "...you will never, ever, invite anot

urrowed. "W

, something not of this world. "Because names hold

ld intensity retreating

to this. To me. O

he door, and closed it behind him

nk to th

firelight, the foo

s a pr

aptor was