Aiden finally came near. His expression not so happy.
"Boys…" he growled.
He tried to remain calm, but the urging roar in his voice was hard to hide. The vibration of that single word pressed into the air like the hum of a blade pulled too far against its sheath.
"…can you let her go? She is someone... dear."
He voiced it steady, but Amber's ears caught the strain in him. Each syllable struck her like the toll of a heavy bell. Dear. That word alone pulled the breath from her chest.
Her eyes widened, her lashes trembling as a heat unfamiliar yet irresistible bloomed across her ribs, spreading to her throat.
But the three guards did not feel warmth. They felt the opposite.
The always-smiling, always-charming Aiden was not smiling anymore.
Their hearts clenched in their throats, stumbling over themselves in panic. Their grip on Amber faltered as though her skin burned. They let her go at once, stepping back quickly.
Smack!
