Page 86 of Claimed By the Damned

“Yeah.” A beat too long passes before he answers. “Just making sure we weren’t followed.”

I nod, even though the words don’t settle right.

We reach the alley’s end. A black SUV waits, its windows tinted so dark they reflect the streetlights like voids.

Luke turns to me, his expression unreadable. "I assume Theo is waiting for you in the car. Do you want me to check?"

I shake my head quickly. "No. No one else knows I'm here. It should be fine."

Some of the tension bleeds from Luke's shoulders when I say that. "Alright."

My chest tightens. This is it. The moment I've ached for, hoped for. My fingers tremble, but I ignore the sensation, taking a slow step forward.

Luke reaches for the door handle and pulls it open. “Go on.”

I hesitate.

This doesn't feel right.

But I'm here now. I have to see.

Luke steadies me with a hand on my arm as I climb into the car, his grip firm.

I step inside.

The moment I slide into the seat, ice prickles down my spine—a cold, physical warning. The air is thick with sandalwood and smoked vetiver. The scent slams into me, clawing up old memories, making bile rise in my throat.

Kolya’s cologne.

Deep, primal panic explodes in my chest, constricting my ribs. My breath hitches, fingers tightening around Theo’s letter like it could protect me, as if holding it could dissolve this nightmare. My heartbeat thunders against my ribs, erratic, each pulse a denial against the rising certainty.

No. No, this isn’t happening. This cannot be happening.

Before I can react, before I can think of escape, the door behind me slams shut with brutal finality. The sound sends a jolt through my spine, my body going rigid. My hand shoots for the handle, but the locks click into place with a soft, precise sound.

Click-click.

A sound so quiet, yet it crashes through the car's interior, sealing me in.

I'm trapped.

My pulse pounds a frantic rhythm in my skull, splintering thought. I jerk back, slamming myself against the opposite door, fingers scrambling for the other handle. Locked. My breath comes fast, short, uneven gasps as panic swells, stealing the air from my lungs, crushing my chest.

No, no, no—

Then I hear it.

That voice. Smooth, controlled, each syllable dripping satisfaction.

"Welcome home, my Pet."

Ice water floods my veins, a paralyzing current locking my limbs. My body freezes, every muscle locked ramrod tight. My vision swims, thoughts shattering like glass. I can't move. Pure terror pins me in place.

Kolya is here.

Scream. Thrash. Fight.Do something.The commands ricochet in my skull, but my limbs are stiff and unmoving.

He sits across from me in the dim interior, one leg casually crossed over the other, his dark eyes gleaming with cold possession.

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