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I reached out to him, and he flinched. His reaction snapped my hand back, seizing my heart in my chest.

“Run,” he grated.

I frowned, studying his menacing profile. “Run?”

“Yes,” he snarled. “Before it’s too late.”

He was rejecting me? Hurt twisted my guts, and I curled my arms around my waist. “But—”

“Now!”

His command rattled my bones, the dark fury in his tone stirring some deep-seated sense of survival.

Without another word, I spun and bolted, my head a tangle of contradictions. My instinct for self-preservation made me shove one foot in front of the other while the warmer, deliciously tingly parts of me screamed,Return to him. You’re going the wrong way!

Footsteps hammered the stone behind me. He was so close.

Go!

No, stay!

No, go!

Bright light filtered through the darkened cavern. The clamor of several thousand voices rang in my ears. Fresh air billowed through the tunnel on a gentle breeze, the scent sunny and clean. My head pounded, my thoughts clearing. It was the end of the challenge. I was almost there.

My langued muscles firmed with determination, and my racing stride lengthened. Flark, what had I been thinking? Go! Definitely go!

Behind me, a primal growl rumbled, and my pulse leaped. Claws scraped my shoulder. The vampire was gaining on me. Whether he hungered for blood or…gulp…more, I couldn’t determine. Regardless, this time, he wouldn’t find me docile prey.

Sunlight flashed in my eyes. This was it. I’d reached the end. The vampire’s fiery breath dusted my neck as I dove through the tunnel’s exit. Sand padded my fall, and a large body landed beside me. Victor’s weighty frame pinned me to the ground. He straddled my hips, his hand circling my throat. I blinked, peering up at him.

Victor blinked down at me as well, panting. Goddess, but he was a sight. For a moment, I forgot where we were, simply taking in all that was Victor Custodis. Silver-white hair surrounded his head, wild and untamed. His usually icy gaze was a hot, searing gold. Twin fangs gleamed behind his full lips. Gone was the emotionless demeanor he chose to portray. In its place was something else. Something powerful. Savage.

Though we’d left the flowers in our wake, a heated shiver ran through me. I didn’t hate this hidden side of my icy partner.

Custodis blinked, and by slow degrees, the golden light in his eyes faded. “Runa?” he groaned, and his grip on my neck eased. Shock registered in his expression, and he rolled, then pulled me up off the sand in a rush.

At the sudden movement, my head reeled, and I wobbled, pressing a hand to his chest.

He grasped my upper arms, peering into my face. “Are you okay?”

Why does he keep asking me that? It wasn’t as if he actually cared. Or did he? I nodded my answer, not trusting my voice.

Slowly, I became aware of the arena around us, other competitors strewn about the pit, the hovering orbs.Flark! The orbs!

The roar of cheering voices stabbed my ears. Custodis’s name fell from worshipful lips. Many celebrated his performance and prowess in the game. While my name was often followed by jeers of harlot, whore, tease.

Fire blazed in my cheeks, memories surfacing. By the goddess, the flowers had reduced us to our most primal state, and the audience had watched every moment.

Nausea twisted my stomach, and I slapped a hand to my mouth. The weight of countless ridiculing stares pressed down on me. Sharp breaths wheezed between my fingers.

Custodis gripped my chin, the contours of his face hardening. “Reclaim your control. It is they who should be ashamed.”

He was right. What sort of sickos signed up to watch a bunch of criminals experience this kind of hell? They were the ones who should have been embarrassed. I met Victor’s silver gaze and nodded my agreement.

“Do you see my brothers?”

The side of his mouth curled into a mockery of a smile. “Over there.”