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No. I needed a place to hide …

My gaze landed on a small alcove beneath a set of stairs to my right. It was close, pitch-black, and held only a mop and bucket.

It wasperfect.

I dove in, leaving the curtain open as I pressed myself tightly to the wall and let the darkness hide me. If I waslucky, my pursuer would assume I was fleeing to my room and pass by the alcove.

I waited …

A dozen seconds later, the door to the barracks banged open, making me jolt.

Heartbeat pounding in my ears, I did my best to quiet my breathing.

Slow. Steady. Quiet.

Closing my eyes to avoid any reflection, I pressed as far back into the darkness as I could, listening as uneven footsteps plodded closer and closer.

Keep going. Keep going. Keep —

The footsteps stopped and something slammed to the wall above my shoulder.

FUCK.I opened my eyes to find the dark silhouette of a huge man looming over me, trapping me in the darkness.

Biting back a choked scream, I lashed out with a fist to his face and a follow up knee to his groin.

He caught my wrist effortlessly, pivoting his hips so my knee jabbed his muscled thigh instead.

"MATE." The growled word sent shivers down my spine, and I looked up to meet a familiar set of golden eyes.

"Thank fuck," I breathed out, slumping back against the cool alcove wall. "Tye, I thought you were one of Frexin's —"

I froze. What was I thinking? Hewasone of Frexin's men — her fucking Lieutenant in charge of watching me,in fact. Hells, he was one of the LAST people I wanted knowing what I'd been up to.

How had he — I tightened my hands into fists — that damn bond! It must have called to him when I was stressed in the cave …

A sharp stab of panic slammed through me.What did he know?

"I can explain —"

My breath caught as he leaned down — so close the heat of his face warmed my nose and lips.

I tried to lean away, but I had nowhere to go.

The charisma in my chest woke as those angry, beautiful, glowing eyes raked across my hair, face, chest, and legs — inspecting me — igniting the bond.

Damned heat followed everywhere that fiery gaze touched, and I licked my lips, not sure if it was from fear or desire.

"Are … you going to tell Frexin?" I asked, pressing a hand to his chest — trying to push him back to give me space.

He didn't budge.

We stood there, unmoving, as he stared at me, the heat of his hot chest warming my palm like sun-warmed stone.

I knew I should break away. This was dangerous on so many levels. But with every second that passed, the bond burned hotter, demanding more.

And his scent … gods — I wanted to sink into it!

I needed more, but his uniform was in the way.