“Please,” I whispered. “Please don’t hurt me.”

No response. Just a harsh tug on my arm.

We entered a building, the air colder, staler. I could feel it—a shift, a sense of danger that seemed to seep from the walls. They shoved me into a chair, the rough wood digging into my back. Before I could react, I felt ropes tightening around my wrists, binding me to the chair.

“No! Stop!” I screamed, thrashing against the restraints.

“Help! Somebody help me!” My voice echoed in the room, hollow, unanswered.

I could hear footsteps—someone was there. Panic surged in me, overwhelming every other thought.

“Please, I don’t know what you want! Just let me go, I won’t say anything, I swear!”

Laughter. Low, cold, and utterly chilling. It filled the air, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

“You think I’m going to let you go that easily, Luna?”

I froze. I knew that voice. Marcosias.

I couldn’t see him, but his presence filled the room like a looming shadow. My breath caught in my throat as his footsteps drew closer, each step deliberate and mocking.

“You’re ... you’re making a mistake. Orion will come for me,” I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady, but the fear betrayed me. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. “But you … you’re far more valuable to me than you could ever imagine.”

“Please,” I begged, my voice cracking. “Whatever you think I can do, you’re wrong. Just let me go.”

He laughed again, the sound sharp and cruel. Then I felt his hand brush my cheek, and I flinched, trying to pull away, but the ropes held me in place.

“You’re the key to my success.”

“What are you talking about?” I whimpered. “What do you want from me?”

There was a pause, and then I felt him lean close. His breath was hot against my skin. “I’m never going to let you go.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "No ... No, please …"

With a sharp tug, the blindfold was ripped off, and harsh light flooded my eyes. I blinked, disoriented, as my vision cleared, and there he was—Marcosias—sitting across from me, a sickening grin twisting his features.

His eyes glinted with dangerous satisfaction.

"Welcome to your new home," he sneered, reclining in his chair like he owned the world. “I hope you get comfortable, Luna. You’re not going anywhere.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as the reality of my situation hit me.

"You can’t do this. Orion will come. He'll find me. He'll kill you for this," I whispered, my voice shaking.

Marcosias’s grin widened, a menacing glint in his eyes.

“Orion ... Orion … Orion … the love of your life. Out of curiosity, what do you see in him? I mean he’s old enough to be your father. He is your best friend’s father, for crying out loud. What’s so special about him?”

I ignored his question.

“Answer me when I ask you a question, dammit!”

I trembled as he moved closer.

“I fell in love with his heart.”