a

inter, Aemrys

r, wilder. The walls were crimson and charcoal, veins of gold etched like flames licking throu

e Kael did. He didn't offe

is personal gym, the ink across his chest gleaming like war

p," h

nsed. "Ex

eeping in Kael's silk. You'll stin

call me

rn anoth

linch. I d

other down fo

walked into the sh

temple of disci

alls were covered in framed combat blueprints, ancient war s

e center of the training room-it was shaped like a m

eople in he

water. "Not usually. But you

e made me

d. No blades. Just gloves. Rage

n the ribs.

n the gut.

being weak

sh

eing vulner

mat. I gasped as my s

growled. "P

stroys,"

f you l

inne

ed. His breath

se he thought legacy wa

reality is fi

val. And you won't survive if you kee

almost to

od up and w

were hotter

ced the halls like a caged animal, his footsteps thunder, his

ordinates

found him in

e stars. Smoke from a cigarett

t sleep?"

'm afraid of what

silen

ooked over.

ha

lade. Tossed it. It

he first woman we were force

"And you think giving m

ire. Or remind you

blade again

ressed

ust, but something rawer. R

't flinch

hing the day I b

me. Took the blad

on le

k, it h

we stopped

rring room after I cursed

're untouchabl

now you want

hand at my throat, not squeezing-

asp

n't ki

dipped to my mouth

t," he

y w

ou want

nt co

led. Dar

he wrong win

I'm in the

lease

speak for

ress into the hall and slept outs

first time,

t came on

in his closet and found a

a locked

ed it.

Burnt. Singed. All of

from the

m Re

crime boss to

never look

hey were together

ve

hear hi

or slammed

dn't

n't ex

ike I'd shattered the

ave no

secrets," I said. "I w

reason I bleed. She made me what I am. She

ed towa

not

ight be worse. Because I

lenced

Slamming

his secrets, wondering wha

inal

touch. We

lay be

ath

ou'll survive me, Raven.

issed my

xt week, I'd