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“Look at me.”

Arianna obeyed, even as her knees weakened at the sight of those blood thirsty eyes. So much darkness resided there, as if shadows had chased the light away long ago.

“Are you here to kill me?” She shook her head. “Are you a spy?” Again, Arianna shook her head, unable to use her voice. She couldn’t look away from him now. She couldn’t move.

The Demon’s gaze roamed over the bodies of his warriors then returned to her. He jerked his chin toward the cabin and somehow, she forced her frozen body toward it. Arianna ran through the door and straight to her corner, then turned to face whatever wrath he was about to unleash. Would he pull her apart like he had Lan and the others? Would he stake her to a post? Throw her to his men and laugh while he watched?

The door slammed and she flinched, another tear rolling down her face. His eyes burned through her, but she couldn’t look at him again. Not when she could smell the rage pouring from his body.

“You’re from Móirín, but not a spy. Explain.”

Her entire body trembled. “I-It’s a long story.”

“Make it short.”

She risked a tentative glance up. The Demon stood with his arms crossed and feet wide. His gaze roamed over her body, deciphering every movement, every breath.

“I was sent off for my protection. Slave traders captured me and sold me at the nearest auction. I’ve been hiding as a half-breed ever since.”

“How long?”

“Over a year.”

He snickered. “You’re Fae, yet remained a slave?”

“They kept me shackled.” His gaze drifted to her scarred wrists. “I didn’t have a choice.”

He snorted but sat at the end of his bed and started unlatching his boots. “What’s your name?”

“Arianna.”

“And how close are you to the royal family?”

Her heart continued to pound, and she opened her mouth to speak, but his sharp gaze pierced through her. He’d sensed the lie before she’d even formed it on her lips. “Close.” Not a lie, but she was playing a dangerous game.

The Demon smirked. “You fight like them.” He set his boots neatly next to the bed. “Tell me, Arianna,” he said her name with enough malice to kill, “do you know who I am?”

“We call you The Demon.”

His smile faded. “And yet you haven’t tried to kill me. Why?”

She cradled one elbow. “You haven’t done anything to me. Hurt me, I mean.”

“I’ve killed hundreds of your people. Don’t you want to avenge them?”

“Vengeance doesn’t get us much.”

He gave her an exasperated look and clasped his hands together over his knees. “What do you want then?”

She chewed her lip. “To go home. To see the male I’m promised to and reunite with my family.” She risked another glance at him. “I think you and I both know I could never beat you. I’m not one for suicide.”

“Smart girl.” That smile crept back to his face, and he walked into the bathroom without another word.

Chapter Eight

Arianna

Arianna stood before a warm, blazing fire in her Fae body. Her beautiful, strong, captivating Fae body. She hadn’t realized how much she missed it until now. She could hear everything, identify most of the guards stationed outside by scent alone, and knew exactly when The Demon would arrive without having to monitor the window.