Page 57 of Taken

Allard.

He moves silently across the room, finger pressed to his lips. His eyes reflect light like a predator’s, the dragon beneath his skin closer to the surface than I’ve seen before.

“Security loop,” he murmurs, crouching beside the couch. “We have twelve minutes before it resets.”

“How did you get in?” My voice is hoarse.

“I have my methods. They may think they’ve closed all the holes, but I’ve figured out a few ways around them.” The ghost of a smile touches his lips. “Are you all right? I heard about the Shard test.”

“Define ‘all right.’” I try to sit up straighter, wincing as my body protests. “I’m functional, if that’s what you’re asking.”

His hand covers mine, warm and steadying. “That’s not what I’m asking.”

The contact sends sizzling sensation through nerves already hypersensitive from the Shard’s energy. I bite my lip against an embarrassing gasp, but his eyes sharpen, catching my reaction.

“The crystal,” he says. “It’s still affecting you.”

I nod. “Side effect. Heightened sensations. It’ll pass.”

His thumb traces circles on my wrist, and pleasure spirals from that simple touch, shocking in its intensity after years of nothing but clinical contact. I pull away, suddenly afraid of my body’s response.

“I saw things,” I tell him, forcing focus. “When connected to the Shard. The Heartstone’s location. What they plan to use Elena for. We’re running out of time.”

His expression darkens. “I know. They’re already getting things in order.”

“She won’t survive what they have planned for her,” I whisper, the truth of it crushing my chest. “Even if her body does, her mind won’t. I’ve seen what these bastards can do.”

“That’s not going to happen.” The intensity in his voice makes me look up. “I’ve made arrangements. Three days, Lila. I get you out in three days, then we go after Elena.”

Hope flutters in my chest, fragile and terrifying. “How? The security—”

“Let me worry about that.” His hand returns to mine, grip tightening. “Just be ready.”

The certainty in his voice, the determination in his eyes… I want to believe him. Want to trust that freedom exists beyond these walls. But captivity breeds caution.

“If they catch us…” I start.

“They won’t.” He moves closer, until I can feel the heat radiating from his body. “Do you trust me, Lila?”

The question hangs between us, weighted with implications beyond escape plans.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I want to.”

Something flickers in his eyes—disappointment, perhaps. But understanding, too.

“Fair enough.” He starts to pull away.

I catch his hand before he can retreat, surprising us both. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to try.”

I stare up at him, surrounded by his scent, his heat, the irresistible magnetism of him. And suddenly I realize… Iwanthim.

Maybe it’s madness. Maybe it’s adrenaline. Or the promise of freedom. Maybe it’s simply animal attraction. But my God, I don’t remember when last I wanted someone this way. If ever.

His pupils dilate, nostrils flaring slightly, dragon senses picking up cues human ones might miss.

“Lila,” he says, my name a warning and a question.

“I haven’t been touched in twenty years,” I whisper before I can stop myself. I don’t know why I say it. Just that I need to. “Not like… not as a woman. Just as an asset. A witch. A test subject.”

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