Page 35 of Captured Onyx

"Lailah was a queen in the art of seduction," I whisper softly. "She knew how to wrap a man around her finger, how to make them weak in the knees, and trust her entirely, without question, without suspicion. It's something only a woman can do, this kind of disarmament."

"I can't do that," she insists, looking up at me through wide, anxious eyes. "I'm not like her."

"That's right, you're not," I agree. "But you're no less charming and no less smart than her. You may not feel like it, but I know you're capable of doing this."

She shakes her head so subtly that it's barely visible, but the objection is there. It becomes more noticeable when she takes a step back to free herself from my touch.

"And remember," I warn her, my gaze darkening. "If you don't, your parents' lives are over."

I expect to witness another wave of horror spreading across her face, to see her eyes widening, a hand flying up to cover her opened mouth while she sucks in a shocked gasp. There may even be tears, born of terror and hopeless protest.

But there is nothing. She doesn't move, her face remains expressionless as her eyes lock on to mine, observing, assessing.

As if she knows I am lying.

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