Page 4 of Claimed By Midnight

"You aren't a damned guest." I drive my elbow back, aiming for his throat. He catches it easily, twisting my arm behind my back until tears spring to my eyes.

His free hand traces my jaw, and I snap at his fingers like a cornered animal. Everyone's always seen me as the gentle sister, the healer, the one who needs protection. But they're wrong. I can fight too.

"You are only making me want you more." His wings fold closer, feathers brushing against my arms in a mockery of a caress. "For a human, you are quite interesting. The question remains what I should do with you."

Terror claws at my chest, but anger burns hotter. It's the only thing keeping me going, potentially the only thing keeping me alive.

I kick and thrash, but his strength is overwhelming. My struggles only seem to amuse him more, his laughter mixing with my desperate gasps for air. The sound echoes through the garden, turning my blood to ice even as rage makes my cheeks burn.

He yanks me flush against his chest, one arm like an iron band around my waist while his other hand tangles in my honey-blonde curls, wrenching my head back. His perfect lips brush against my ear, sending revulsion crawling down my spine.

"Such spirit." His words drip like poison honey. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you."

My heart pounds against my ribs, each beat a desperate reminder that I'm alive—for now. The citrus-metal scent of him fills my lungs with every panicked breath. His wings create a cocoon around us, the soft gray feathers a deceptively gentle prison.

Fear claws up my throat, threatening to choke me. But beneath it burns anger—at him, at myself, at everyone who's ever treated me like delicate glass that needs protecting. Now I'm living their worst fears, proving them right, and the thought makes bile rise in my throat.

Father won't notice I'm missing for hours. He's locked away in his study, as always and thinks I'm safely trapped inside. Astrid's now with her demon mate, and the servants won't notice. I'd snuck out to the garden specifically because I knew no one would look for me - a decision I now bitterly regret.

The xaphan's fingers trace down my neck, and I suppress a shudder. His touch feels like ice trailing across my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

When he speaks again, his lips brush against my ear. "Your fear is intoxicating, little human. But don't worry - I'll teach you to enjoy your new life. Eventually."

My stomach turns at the promise in his words. I try to wrench away, but his grip only tightens until breathing becomes difficult. Spots dance at the edges of my vision as I claw at his arm, my nails leaving useless scratches on his perfect skin.

But I don't think there is any getting out of this.

3

URIEL

The zarryn's hooves strike sparks against the mountain path, their dual tails whipping in the chill wind as they pull my carriage through the mist-wreathed peaks. My magic keeps them tied to me so I'm able to direct them from inside the cabin of my carriage

Across me and scowling, my captive is trying to curl as far away from me as possible. She hasn't lost her charm, yet, and I find myself amused as I watch her. The human girl shifts against her bonds, those fascinating golden-green eyes darting to each rocky outcropping and steep drop we pass. Looking for escape, no doubt.

Her honey-blonde curls have come loose from their careful arrangement, giving her a wild look that only enhances her beauty. Not that I'd admit such thoughts about a human.

"If you're planning to drag me across demon territories, the least you could do is tell me your name." Her chin lifts in defiance, though her voice wavers.

I smile, knowing how it twists my features into something less angelic. "You may call me Master."

She scoffs, the sound sharp in the confined space. "I'd rather not call you anything at all."

"Yet here you are, asking my name." I guide the zarryn around a hairpin turn, their silver coats gleaming with sweat. The temperamental beasts snort and toss their heads, sensing my passenger's unease. "Uriel."

"What?"

"My name. It's Uriel." I flex my wings, letting them fill the space. A reminder of what I am, of the power difference between us.

Her shoulders straighten despite her bound wrists. "Athena."

"I didn't ask."

"And I didn't ask to be kidnapped, yet here we are." She meets my gaze without flinching. "So you might as well know who you've taken."

The zarryn's hooves clatter against stone as we descend into deeper shadow. My smile grows genuine at her spirit. Most humans would be cowering by now, yet this one challenges me at every turn. Perhaps this journey won't be as tedious as I'd feared.

When the zarryn grow tired and I need a break, I find us a place to stop. It'll give me a chance to restock on supplies, too, since it will take me over a week to get back home.

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