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Though the shadows retreated before destroying me, I came to realize Moretemis's corrupting touch was everywhere, threatening the balance between dark and light. My second chance at existence carries a new purpose—to stand against the shadows and ruinous powers that still threaten our world.

Lucian pales, raking a hand through his hair. "If this is true..."

I take another burning gulp, steeling myself. "What's our next move with this intel?"

Erik proposes going to the authorities, but Lucian counters they're likely already corrupted by Azrael. I turn to him, confused. Lucian sighs heavily.

"He's got strings to pull. High-level government allies." His tone drips disgust and disbelief. "Nothing this big happens without inside involvement."

I know he's probably right. We'll need to uncover more before making a move. "Can you hack those accounts and find names?" I ask.

Lucian smirks. "Hell yeah. I'll dig something up." I nod firmly.

"Good. Update me on what you get. I'll contact the council soon."

Having dealt with that matter, my attention returns to Danica. I dread telling her everything, fearing she will flee and not understand. But she deserves the truth. Erik stares at me, eyes full of doubt.

“You haven’t claimed her yet?” I shake my head, trying to clear my jumbled thoughts and focus.

“No, it’s harder than I realized.”

Erik sighs, tilting his head. “If you’re serious about keeping her, you must act fast. Mates are rare. I wouldn’t hesitate if I were you.”

Centuries of immortal existence leave me skeptical—yet my soul whispers she may prove to be the exception, the one who finally completes me after eons alone.

I must know if my angel holds the key to a destiny deeper than we can fathom. No matter how fiercely she resists the truth now dawning between us, I intend to find out.

“I can’t force the bond, not when she’s this upset,” I reply. The thought of imposing my will and stealing her agency turns my stomach now. “She needs to open her heart and trust me first. To see our connection goes deeper than desire.”

Erik shakes his head but doesn’t argue further. I bid him good night, my mind swirling.

I shed the tuxedo to pull on jeans and a T-shirt. Apprehension wars with longing. Though it may push her further away, she deserves to hear the whole truth. I have to be gentle.

But if she writes me off as just another monster, I’ll be crushed. Because somehow, beyond all rational sense, I need her light to balance my darkness. I steel my nerves as I head out into the night. This will be the ultimate test—can Danica ever truly accept every part of me? Her reaction will be exposed if this connection runs as deep as I feel it in my soul.

As always, I enter her apartment and head straight for her bedroom. She attempted to lock all the doors, but that didn’t stop me. Little does she know of my abilities. I reach her bedroom and find her door shut. She’s angry, but I’m not worried.

She’s fast asleep and sprawled out on her stomach. Her arm is outstretched above her, while the other is tucked underneath her abdomen. I can’t help but stare at her bubbly ass peeking out from her cotton shorts. I try to resist the temptation to reach out and squeeze it, but I fail.

I slide my hand up her silky leg and feel her hot skin. I caress her ass before traveling down to the inside of her thigh. She starts to stir and groans into the pillow. My fingers reach for the dampness in her shorts, and I massage softly.

Is she dreaming of me?

I kneel on the bed between her legs and grip her ass.

She begins to wake, and whispers sleepily, “Rhyland?”

Even in her sleepy state, she knows who it is. “Hi, Angel,” I say with a smirk.

She immediately jumps out of bed, runs into the bathroom, then slams and locks the door. I sigh to myself. She’s going to hear me out one way or another.

I rap my knuckles against the door in a gentle rhythm, “Danica…please give me a chance to explain.” No response. I rap harder, calling out her name again, but still nothing. I wait for a response, but there’s no answer. Growing more anxious by the minute, I start pounding on the door this time, calling her name louder.

Suddenly, she yells from the other side, “Go away, Rhyland. I don’t want to listen to what you have to say. Haven't you screwed with me enough for one day?"

I sigh in frustration, then say calmly, “If you don’t open this goddamn door now, I’m gonna smash it into a million pieces!”

She shrieks in surprise. “You wouldn’t dare, asshole!”