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He stared attiret These were old hauntings, I could see that His torment wasn’t just because of the curse

“What happened to you?” I asked softly, unable to help myself

His eyebroered “It makes no difference I’ll be damned if I let it happen to you”

“Why do you care? I thought my life was forfeit…”

Emotions warred on his face Then he stepped back, and suddenly the beast grew before me His sheer size and power shocked terror into my bones I pushed back as Hadriel did, driven by a priet away

The beast opened his e teeth I quaked, turning I didn’t get far

The teeth closed aroundme back to the castle

9

He flung ainst the bed He stood panting in the doorway, having run me to the castle in his beast form and then carried me up the stairs in an unbreakable hold

Now, back in my room, he stuck out his hand “Give me the key”

I straightenedaround for my knife Leala must’ve cleaned up and put it somewhere

“Your weapons won’t help you now” Menace flowed froht in front ofdown on me “Give me the key, or I will search you and take it”

I ignored the desire to cower and instead squared off I would not allow him to see the effect he had on me “Don’t you dare put your hands on me”

His chest rose and fell, his breath quickening “I don’t have time for this Give me the key, princess”

“Ah We’re back to princess again, are we? Just before you lock me in the castle tower”

He closed what little space was between us His voice ru me

“This is your last chance,” heon my lips