In the Shadows the Devil Waits
The moment she opened her door to him, her life changed forever.
-
“What do you think will happen to the family you so cherish if you refuse me?” His gaze darkened, shadows dancing in his eyes.
It was a threat. Elain wasn’t foolish enough not to recognize it.
She was challenging his authority, and he clearly wasn’t pleased. This time, however, he didn’t sound playful. He was serious, and being the center of his attention in this state sent a shiver down her spine, making her want to bolt from the room.
"You are finally showing your true colors,” she said at last, willing her voice not to tremble. “I’d say this suits you better than acting all magnanimous.”
He didn’t smile or smirk, but a flicker of mirth flashed in his eyes for a fraction of a second before vanishing just as quickly.
“I refuse to believe you want us to spend time together because you have fallen for me." Despite her knees threatening to buckle beneath her skirt, despite the cold sweat trailing down her spine, she held her head high as she asked, “What exactly do you need from me, Mr. Greyford?”
“A bargain.”
-
In the blossoming empire of Liandel where predators lurk not only in the shadows but also in broad daylight, Elain must pretend to be the sickly niece of a lord while hiding her true identity.
She had been an expert at avoiding trouble, keeping a low profile and obeying every rule set for her. Until that one rainy night, when she tended to a wounded man during her vacation in the countryside.
When they meet again in the city, she realizes he’s someone she should fear and never dare approach, so she keeps her distance.
But he’s a vicious spider, always pulling her into his dangerous web. And perhaps it’s his mischievous nature, or his silver eyes that constantly challenge her, but in his presence, the mask she has worn for so long begins to slip, and she finds herself saying the wrong words or acting far too boldly for her own good.
She fears the darkness. He rules it. He is everything she has always warned herself to avoid and yet she finds herself drawn to him all the same. And when corruption takes root, how can her fragile heart survive?
Warning: Mature content