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The murder rap clawing at my conscience. She thinks she's a pawn in my game. The itch to hunt her down, lay it all out, twists in my chest like a knife—but how can she wrap her head around any of this?

The thought of a mate from our different worlds—it wasn't even on the map. Then she goes supernova with her hands, proof that Dani's no plain Jane. She's got a gift that puts humans in the rearview, one that's got me baffled.

Is she touched by the Fae or running on something more ancient? I can't peg what Dani is, but she's above and beyond.

I fall into a quiet spot in this overgrown dollhouse, my heart slamming in my chest. I haul in a breath and dig deep for some calm, but there's a riot of confusion and fury flaring up.

Goddamn it! How do I break it down for Dani when it's like trying to read a book that isn't written yet? Wherever we're standing, it's off the damn map, and her fireworks show has us stumbling blindly into the deep end.

She has to be stark raving, terrified, sifting through powers that she shouldn't even have. And in her eyes, I'm just the bastard who sold her a bag of lies!

The rage is bubbling up like lava at this messed up hand we've been dealt. I should be right there, buckling down with Dani, wading through this shitstorm side by side. Instead, I'm here, my back against the wall, all thanks to my clusterfuck of decisions.

Now, here comes Azrael Blackwood, strolling up with the air crackling around him. Our eyes collide, and I can feel his gears turning, the slippery shit. My every instinct is on red alert—Azrael's earned his rep as a master of mind games, a vampire with a Ph.D. in fucking your day up.

"I didn't catch your name..." he inquires smoothly. "Where did our lovely doctor run off to? Are you two...together?"

He says the last word with a smirk, making me want to slam my fist into his smug face. I take a breath, trying not to lose my temper.

"I didn't give it," I state flatly. "And where Danica is now is none of your damn business."

Azrael raises an eyebrow. "Protective, aren't we? I merely want to get to know her better..."

"Yeah? Well, you can go fuck yourself!" I growl. "Stay the hell away from her, you twisted bastard."

Azrael raises an eyebrow, infuriatingly unperturbed by my outburst. "No need for such hostility, " he replies smoothly. "I understand if you're...protective of the young woman. She clearly has a hold on you."

I tense, hands balling into fists. "You don't know a damn thing," I growl.

"Oh, but I think I do," Azrael says, tone laced with cunning. "There's something special about her, isn't there? Something that's caught your attention..."

"Enough!" I bark, getting right in his face. "I'm warning you—Danica is off fucking limits! She's too good for the likes of you, so keep your filthy hands off her, or I'll rip you limb from limb!"

Azrael chuckles, clearly reveling in provoking my rage. "Such ferocity," he muses. "One might think you have...deeper feelings for the girl."

"Fuck you." I spit venomously. "She's under my protection, and if you or any of your cronies go near her, I'll paint these walls with your blood."

I'm shaking with barely controlled fury, wanting nothing more than to end this monster's miserable existence. But I cannot expose the full extent of my power here.

Azrael's eyes gleam with sinister interest. "Well, this has been enlightening," he says. "I can see Danica is in very...capable hands. Please give her my regards."

He walks away, and I stand rooted in place, seething with anger and hatred. That vile leech dared speak of Danica as if she were his plaything! I should have crushed his skull when I had the chance.

But I need to find her first, make sure Azrael's clutches haven't already ensnared her. She must know I will stop at nothing to keep her safe. No one will lay a hand on her if they want to keep breathing. Danica is mine to protect, and I'll annihilate anyone or anything that tries to take her from me!

Fury still pulsing through me, I storm off to search for any trace of Danica's whereabouts. That cunning bloodsucker will regret the day he crossed me. I vow that soon, his worthless life will end by my hand.

My thoughts race with fury as I telepathically clamp onto Erik and Lucian’s minds.

“Any luck?!” I growl.

Lucian’s reply hits like a punch in the gut, “Oh shit yeah! We found an entire fucking slave camp in this hellhole!”

I clench my fists and take a deep breath. This twisted fuck needs to pay for what he’s doing. My mental voice shakes, demanding they tell me their location, desperate to speed from this wretched place.

“We’re making our way back to the car topside,” Erik informs me.

The urge to find Dani is torture. Would she want anything to do with me after this?