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