Page 31 of Death and Desire

“Why?” she asked, more puzzled than before. There was certainly no understanding the mystery before her. This was beyond complicated. It was surreal.

He reached out, trailing clawed fingers over her wrist. The click of his sharp nails on the jeweled bracelet fueled the panic holding her in its powerful grip.

“You belong to me, Violet,” he growled.

Desperation drove her away from him. His dark gaze followed her as she turned and fled into the bedchamber. She threw open the nearest door and launched herself into a dark corridor.

Lights flashed around her as her presence triggered the rooms to glow, each footstep illuminating the space. They barely hit the floor before sparking a chain reaction to lead her further away from Anubis.

This was a dream. None of this was real. This place wasn’t real.Hewasn’t real.

Violet’s heart raced faster as she pushed herself into the mazelike corridors, twisting and turning. Surely there was a way out...an escape.

But even if she should escape this palace, where would she go?

She came to a sudden halt, resting against a wall to catch her breath. Silence surrounded her.

“Come now, little thief. There is no escaping your fate.”

“You should have let me die.” She wiped a tear from her cheek, angry at him for not revealing the truth sooner. For not...

Would she have believed him? Seeing him in his true form had left her shaken. Her attraction to his human form had transmuted, evolving into something akin to horror and fascination. He washandsomein both forms...but how was that possible?

Violet shook her head, listening for any indication he’d followed her. Nothing but empty air and the sound of her own frenzied breath echoed around her.

She glanced around at the white sandstone walls and the gilded archways. How the hell was she going to leave this place?

This is the between worlds.Anubis’s words sounded in her mind.The Netherworld.The reality of her situation plunged like a dagger into her gut.

Violet sucked in a breath and let tears flow uninhibited.

Anubis saved her from certain death, and now she was at his mercy.

Chapter Eight

Racing along the shadowedcorridors of the massive palace was only driving Violet to madness. When she finally reached a door and opened it, she collapsed from exhaustion on the cold marble floor.

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