Lyra woke in a dim room.
The smell of herbs and clean linen filled the air.
She tried to sit up but froze when she saw him.
Kael stood beside her bed, arms crossed, his dark eyes locked onto her face.
Her heart skipped violently.
"How long have I been out?" she whispered.
"Six hours," he replied.
Her breath hitched.
"You released forbidden magic," he said quietly. "The entire forest felt it."
Silence stretched between them.
"You're not normal," he continued.
"Your bloodline is ancient.
Dangerous.
Illegal."
Lyra's hands trembled.
"If I tell you the truth… will you kill me?"
Kael stared at her for a long moment.
Then he stepped closer.
"I was raised to hunt your kind," he admitted.
Her heart shattered.
"But now…" His gaze softened, just slightly. "I don't know if I can."
Tension filled the air.
Fear and attraction twisted together.
Outside, thunder rumbled.
Their fates had just become dangerously intertwined.