~Annalyn POV~
Ezra didn't take his eyes off me, but his stance shifted, muscles taut like he was ready to strike at shadows and Armand, on the other hand, simply turn his head as if listening to the rhythm of the night, calm in a way that made my skin prickle.
"Annalyn." Ezra's voice was low, his fingers grazed mine, and I felt that familiar pull... the kind that stripped away my will and replaced it with raw hunger. "Choose me, let me finish binding us, and you'll be stronger than her! I mean stronger than anyone."
"You mean I'll be yours to command?" I shot back, but my voice was shaky, the lie trembling between my lips.
Armand's palm was still open, steady, like an anchor in the chaos. "Or step away from him… and learn to command yourself." His eyes held mine, molten and unyielding. "You think you're afraid of me, but really… you're afraid of what you'll become when you're free."
