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I stand there in the middle of it all in disbelief.

This is… this is someone’s house.

Why the utter hell would the Italians bring me here? I’m sure the last thing they really care about is the comfort of the Cirillo princess.

Why aren’t I in a dark and damp cell being tortured?

Why am I—

There’s a loud bang from somewhere outside the door and I startle.

This room might be nice, but I can’t forget the past… however long.

They abducted me. Drugged me. Threw me in the back of a van and brought me to… somewhere a lot more pleasant than I was expecting, but still. That is not the point.

Walking toward the doors, my chin drops when I find that there isn’t a garden outside, but the actual fucking beach.

Clearly, we’re still in England, because I’m not staring at golden sand and the deep blue ocean. But even still, it’s really damn pretty.

There’s not a person in sight, just endless blue sky and sea.

It only adds to my confusion.

There is furniture, a huge firepit, and everything anyone could need to enjoy that insane view. It kinda reminds me of the last few days, only instead of the woods surrounding me, it’s the coast instead.

Spinning around, I take in the room once more before walking to the other door to find a modern bathroom with a huge walk-in shower much like the one in my basement.

Images of my time in there with Daemon fill my mind and a pang of loneliness hits me.

“Shit,” I hiss, wondering what’s happening at home right now.

How much time has passed? Do they all know that I’ve vanished? Are they already out there looking for me?

I use the toilet and then head back into the bedroom. I check the doors that lead to the beach, but unsurprisingly, they’re locked.

Unable to find a clock or any kind of clue as to what time it is other than the quickly descending sun over the horizon, I crawl onto the bed and curl into a ball.

* * *

When I wake and drag my heavy eyelids open once more, the room is dark and silent, but unease ripples down my spine as if I’m being watched.

I hesitate, unsure if I really want to turn over and discover what my latest reality is.

Sucking in deep breaths through my nose, I prepare to pull up my big girl pants and channel my inner bad-arse.

But I don’t get the chance, because the person waiting for me loses patience.

“I know you’re awake.”

His voice rocks through me, making my heart fracture in my chest.

“No,” I breathe as disbelief floods my veins.

“Calli, it’s okay. It’s—”

“No,” I bark, finally flipping over and pushing to my knees. I stare my captor dead in the eyes, thankfully showing no signs of fear.

Why would I, when I’ve never feared him in the past?