Page 66

I wasn’t ready yet. Not until I had a plan.

I pressed my back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. Aurelius’s gaze swept over the room, and for a horrible moment, I thought he saw me. But then his attention shifted, and he smirked at something Lucas had said.

I exhaled shakily. But no relief found me. I knew I had to stop the bloodshed.

I stepped out of the shadows without any plan, my heart slamming against my ribs as every head turned toward me. The fighting slowed, the chaos dulling as eyes locked onto me, some in shock, others in fear.

Aurelius’ dark gaze pinned me in place, sharp and consuming. The air in the crypt seemed to thicken, pressing down on me as his lips curved into a slow, predatory smile.

“There you are.” His voice was silk over steel, soft but unyielding. He took a step toward me, and my pulse spiked. “I was beginning to think you’d never come.”

The room felt smaller, suffocating, but I stood my ground.

“Let them go,” I said, forcing strength into my voice. “This fight ends now.”

Aurelius tilted his head, his smile deepening. “Ends?” He laughed softly. “No, my dear. It’s only just begun.”

I flinched as his words wrapped around me, but I kept my chin high. “If it’s me you want, then take me. But let the others go.”

His eyes gleamed, hunger simmering beneath their surface. “Oh, I will take you,” he murmured, “but not as a prisoner.”

I froze.

He took another step closer, his presence suffocating. “Don’t you see?” His voice softened, coaxing. “You and I… we’re the same. Power flows in your veins, just as it does in mine. Together, we could remake this world.”

My breath caught. His words slithered into my mind, warm and tempting. The chaos around us faded, and for a moment, all I could see was him. His promise. His certainty.

He reached out a hand. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, Annika.”

My name on his lips sent a shiver through me, and I hated how my body responded. How the smallest, most desperate part of me wanted to reach back.

No.

I clenched my fists.

“You’re lying,” I said, but the words sounded weak even to my own ears.

His smile softened, his expression almost gentle. “Am I?” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’ve feltit, haven’t you? The power inside you… growing, calling out for more. I can give that to you. I can teach you to harness it. To rule, not cower.”

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning.

“Think of what we could do together, Annika,” he said. “Your blood, my strength… we would be unstoppable.”

The temptation hit me like a wave, my knees nearly buckling under its weight.

I could end this. I could stop the suffering, the pain. No more battles, no more fear.

All I had to do was say yes.

No.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Rowena’s words came back, sharp and clear.

He will try to deceive you. Do not trust him.

I opened my eyes and met his.

“No,” I said, this time steady. “I’ll never join you.”