Page 40 of The Madness Within

“So what? You’re kidnapping me now?”

“Detaining,” he replied. “You’re a danger to yourself. And to my work.”

I folded my arms, trying to shield myself from his stare, and failing. “You’re enjoying this.”

He smirked, dark and slow. “Immensely.”

I glared. “I’ll escape.”

He hummed, stepping past me. Paused at the door. “Ihopeso,” he murmured. “Chase makes everything more fun.”

Then he was gone.

Or so I thought.

The shadows rippled in his wake and I was left standing there with my skin flushed, my breathing uneven, and my thighs aching in ways I didn’t want to admit.

Then, I heard laughing, followed by the word… “Sleep.”

Chapter Fifteen

??The Devil’s Advocate

Dorian

She didn’t run. Just… backed away.

Slow. Controlled. Clever girl.

But the shadows were faster. Mine always were.

They slithered from the walls, wrapping around her legs, her arms, her throat, not to harm, only to hold.

Her eyes were wide, wild with understanding. She knew who I was now. What I was. She’d seen too much. And too soon.

Still, she didn’t scream.

She didn’t beg.

She watched me.

Even when shadows coiled around her and I whispered, “Sleep.”

Her body stiffened, then fell into the arms of the dark. Her head lolled to the side. Her breathing slowed. Peaceful.

Too peaceful for what came next.

I caught her before she hit the ground, cradling her like she was made of glass. Like I hadn’t just erased every illusion of safety she thought she had.

The mansion was silent when I arrived. Always was. That’s how I liked it.

My wards stirred at the perimeter, recognizing me, tasting her. The moment we crossed the threshold, the entire house shifted. A pulse of magic rolled across the walls like a heartbeat. My heartbeat. It would obey only one master.

And now she was inside it.

I carried her up the east wing stairs, the ones no one else ever uses. Not staff. Not guests. Not even ghosts.

The room I brought her to hadn’t been touched in years. It smelled like dust and old promises. A perfect coffin for a secret.

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