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I’m almost near the staircase when I hear a blood-curdling scream.

I whip my head around.

I’d recognize the voice anywhere. There’s zero hesitation in my limbs as I run toward Mr. Sinclair’s room.

I turn the handle. To my surprise, I find that it’s open.

The shadows are heavier here, seeming to swallow up all the light. I leave the door open as I walk inside. Klaus thrashes in his bed, fighting off some invisible demon.

“Mr. Sinclair?” I say.

“I’m not telling you anything,” he screams. “You can kill me if you want, but I’m not going to give you anything.”

I stop at the edge of the bed, unsure how to proceed.

There’s a sheen of sweat on his forehead. His eyes are closed, and his face is deathly pale. My eyes briefly flick down to the scars and tattoos on his bare torso.

“Klaus?” I try again.

He screams again like he’s in deep agony. He’s trapped in the claws of his nightmare.

A gust of wind slams the door shut behind me, startling me.Instinctually, I move closer toward Klaus. His face is contorted in pain that’s imaginary but also very real.

I need to wake him up. Calling his name isn’t enough.

I gingerly reach for his shoulder. The second I make contact with his skin, his hand shoots out toward me like a hidden serpent. It wraps around my wrist and tugs me closer until the momentum makes me fall on top of him. He flips me around until I’m flat on my back.

The weight of his body presses into me, pinning me to the bed.

“You didn’t think I would be able to get free, did you?” he asks.

He’s still in a dream state. His eyes are closed as his hand moves to my throat. He squeezes down on it, immediately making me see stars.

He’s going to kill me in his sleep.

If I don’t wake him up right now, this will be the end of my existence.

His grip on my throat tightens.

I don’t understand why this violent act makes me all achy between my thighs. My lips part as his hips dig into mine. My vision swims in and out.

I try to tap his hand, but it’s no use. He’s too far gone.

I need to do something else to drag him out of the darkest recess of his mind. I need to remind him that I’m not his enemy. I’m not whoever he’s trying to kill.

My robe comes undone as I shift underneath his weight. I widen my thighs, letting him settle against me properly.

I did not think this through because the contact only makes me even more breathless.

His hips drag against my exposed flesh. My nightgown is gathered around my waist now. The lacy material covering my breasts rasps against my sensitive nipples. When I feel his cock hardening against my body, a moan tumbles from my lips.

Klaus’s eyes shoot open.

He blinks as he takes me in. I tap my hand against his, telling him to ease his grip on my throat.

“What are you doing in my bed, Emma?” he says, relaxing the hold enough to let me speak.

I gasp as sweet air fills my lungs again.