Page 83 of Shadowed Fate

Marius's eyes narrow, something dangerous glinting in their depths. "Oh, little bird. To them, that's what you already are."

His words cut deep, echoing my darkest fears. I feel the shadows pulse around me, responding to my turmoil.

"You're wrong," I whisper, but doubt gnaws at me. Because he’s right, isn’t he? All my life people have treated me like I’m wrong, like I’m damaged. Like I’m dangerous.

Marius steps closer, his presence overwhelming. "Am I? I know how they look at you, Brigid. The fear in their eyes. The whispers behind your back."

I clench my fists, fighting to keep my voice steady. "That doesn't mean I have to become what they fear."

He looks at me questioningly. "Why not? Accept it, and they'll never hurt you again."

"And what's the cost? My soul? Losing who I am?"

"Sometimes you have to lose something to find what’s been there all along," Marius says.

Again with the cryptic replies. More riddles, never an answer. I shake my head and move to leave.

Marius's hand shoots out, gripping my arm. His touch is like fire on my skin, leaving me tingling where he touches me. I meet his gaze.

"Stay," he says, his voice a command... and a plea.

I swallow, trying to focus on anything but the heat of his hand on my arm, the way my body floods with want when he’s near me.

This is Marius. The Marius who everyone warns me about. Stay away from him, they said.

But...

Even with all the riddles, there’s an honesty there.

"You’re going to have to do better than that,” I counter. “You want me to stay? Tell me what you know."

Marius's eyes darken, his grip on my arm tightening. He leans in. "I know the power that courses through your veins, Brigid. I can feel it calling to me. I know what it wants.”

My shadows stir inside me, restless. They are responding to him, reaching out.

“You feel it too, don't you?" His lips brush my skin. "The connection between us."

I can't deny it. I’ve felt it since I first saw him. My body's on fire, every nerve ending alive with sensation. My breath comes in short gasps, and I'm acutely aware of how close he is, how easy it would be to close that last inch between us.

"Give in," Marius urges, his voice too seductive. "Let me show you what you're capable of."

His hand slides up my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. I should pull away, should run as fast and as far as I can. But I'm rooted to the spot, caught in his dark gaze.

"I..." I start, my voice barely a whisper. "I don't know if I can control it."

Marius's lips curl into a wicked smile. "Let it consume you. Letmeconsume you."

The weight of his body presses against mine, and I can feel every hard muscle through our thin layers of clothing. My shadow magic responds with equal intensity, coiling around us like a living entity, feeding off our desire.

His hands reach up to cup my face, thumbs grazing my cheeks as he stares into my eyes with smoldering intent. My heart throbs wildly in my chest as I feel a growing wetness between my legs.

He leans in further, lips finally making contact with mine in a bruising kiss that steals my breath away. Our tongues dance together as we explore each other's mouths hungrily, tasting and devouring every inch, sending sparks of pleasure throughout my body.

One of his hands trails down my neck, tracing along my collarbone before dipping lower still to tease at the swell of my breasts. I arch into his touch instinctively, moaning into his mouth as he cups me firmly through my shirt. My nipples harden under his palm, aching for more attention. He obliges by rubbing his thumb over one sensitive peak before pinching it lightly between two fingers. A jolt shoots straight to my core at the sensation.

I run my hands over his chest, feeling every ridge and valley of muscle beneath his shirt.

His hands roam lower still, grabbing onto my hips roughly as he pulls me closer against him so I can feel how hard he is for me already.

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