Page 5 of Claimed By Midnight

Outside the cabin, I lean against a tree trunk, wings spread casually while I pretend to study a map. The zarryn are grazing and I've already refilled waterskins and plucked some berries and roots to keep us from getting too low between towns.

The leather-bound scroll catches the breeze, but my attention remains fixed on my captive. She thinks I don't notice her slow, deliberate movements - the way her fingers work at something behind her back.

The broken pottery shard makes a faint scraping sound against the leather restraint. Clever girl. She must have palmedit during our initial struggle, when she hurled that vase at my head. I'd admired her aim then too.

Her teeth worry at her lower lip as she works, those golden-green eyes fixed ahead with studied nonchalance. A light sheen of sweat dampens her honey-blonde curls despite the cool mountain air. The restraints allow enough slack for her to sit on a fallen log, but not enough to bolt - or so she thinks.

I fold the map with precise movements, savoring the mounting tension. Her sawing grows more desperate as I approach, the shard of pottery clicking against the leather.

"Having trouble?" I crouch before her, catching her wrist before she can hide the evidence.

She freezes, pulse racing beneath my fingers. But there's no fear in those eyes - only frustration and that fascinating defiance.

A laugh escapes me, dark and appreciative. "Such clever hands." I trace the red mark where the restraint has chafed her skin, savoring how she jerks from my touch. I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to her reactions but I can't stop drinking them in. "I wondered how long it would take you to try something like this."

"You knew?" Her voice holds more outrage than fear.

"I've been watching you since we stopped." I pluck the pottery shard from her grip, turning it to catch the light. "Not bad technique, but you'll need something sharper than this to cut through demon-crafted leather."

A flush creeps up her neck, but she doesn't look away. "I'll remember that for next time."

"I'm counting on it." I tighten her restraints, lingering over the task. "It will make things so much more interesting." Straightening, I look at the beasts that are grazing just away from the carriage. "It's time we get back to our journey."

I harness the zarryn back up and climb inside, guiding them back onto the winding path, their hooves striking a steadyrhythm against the packed earth. The morning mist has burned away, leaving us exposed under the harsh sun. Perfect. Now she can see exactly how far we are from civilization.

"The market should be bustling this time of year." I keep my voice casual, as if discussing the weather. "Demon lords travel from across the territories, searching for rare treasures."

Athena's chains rattle as she shifts position. "I'm not interested in your market predictions."

"No?" I turn just enough to catch her expression, savoring the way her jaw clenches. "You should be. After all, you'll be the star attraction."

"I'm not merchandise."

"Everything has a price." I stretch my wings, letting them catch the sunlight. The gray feathers shimmer with an almost metallic sheen. "And you, little human, are quite the find. Unmarked. Untouched." I pause, letting the words sink in. "Pure."

Her golden-green eyes flash. "I'm not unmarked."

The thought sours in my stomach and I snarl as I lean forward, letting the anger show. "Do you know what they'd pay for someone like you? The bidding would start in the thousands. Rare weapons, ancient artifacts, entire estates - they'd offer it all." My smile grows cruel. "But it's not just the price that makes it entertaining. It's watching them circle, like predators scenting blood. Each one convinced they deserve the prize."

"I'm not a prize." The words come through gritted teeth.

"No?" I reach back, catching her chin between my fingers. Her skin burns hot against my touch. "Then what are you?"

She jerks away, those honey-blonde curls whipping across her face. "Someone who's going to make you regret this."

A laugh escapes me, dark and genuine. "Now that's what makes you valuable. That fire. That defiance." I turn back tothe road, but keep my voice pitched just loud enough to carry. "They'll enjoy breaking it out of you, piece by piece."

She just looks away from me, not bothering to respond. Smart girl. She's learning to hide her reactions, even as her pulse races fast enough for me to hear it.

Once night falls, I have no choice but to stop us. I don't know the mountainous region well enough to keep going. And then time, I drag my little captive out with me.

The campfire casts dancing shadows across Athena's face as she stares into the flames. The leather bound around her wrists glints in the firelight, but it's not the binds that hold my attention - it's the way she carries herself. Back straight, chin lifted, those golden-green eyes reflecting the fire's glow like molten metal. Even bound and captive, she refuses to cower.

I stretch out my wings, letting them catch the night breeze. "Hungry?"

"No." The word comes sharp and quick, but her stomach betrays her with a quiet growl.

"Stubborn thing." I slice a piece of bread, watching her track the movement. "Your pride won't fill your belly."

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