Page 112 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

The ice walls around us begin to crack, spiderweb patterns spreading outward from where I stand. My magic responds to my inner turmoil, threatening to bring the entire maze down around us. I force myself to breathe, to cage the maelstrom of foreign emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

I can feel her confusion now, layered beneath the fear—confusion at my presence, at the intensity of my reaction. She doesn’t understand why I followed her, why I care.

I don’t understand it myself.

All I know is that watching her run, feeling her terror, awakened something primal in me—something that demands I protect what’s mine, consequences be damned.

But I cannot afford such weakness. My world teeters on the edge of destruction, and only her sacrifice can save it.

So I lock away the part of me that wants to shelter her, that yearns to earn her trust rather than break it. I force ice back into my veins, my voice, my heart.

Then, as if she didn’t even recognize me, she turns and runs.

“Lara!” My voice echoes through the maze, but there’s no response

The fear flooding through our connection spikes higher, sharp enough to taste like metal on my tongue. My magic surges in response, frost crackling along my skin, but for once I welcome it. I need every advantage I can get to reach her.

I close my eyes, focusing on that foreign thread of emotion pulsing through me. She’s moving—no, running again—deeper into the maze. Away from whatever terrified her enough to unleash that burst of power.

Away from me.

The thought sends an unwelcome pang through my chest.

I round the final corner and there she is—running directly toward me.

The sight of her sends something molten and possessive burning through my veins.

I cross the space between us in three long strides and she slams into my chest. She fights for half a heartbeat before recognizing my voice as I murmur against her hair.

“I have you. You’re safe.”

She collapses against my chest, her whole body shaking with broken sobs. She burrows closer, seeking comfort from the very one who will eventually destroy her.

I should push her away. Should maintain the distance necessary to carry out my plans.

Instead, I find myself gathering her closer, one hand spanning her back while the other cradles her head.

“What happened?” I manage to ask, though my voice emerges rougher than intended. “What were you running from?”

She shakes her head against my chest, fingers curling into my coat. I can feel her tears soaking through the fabric, scalding hot against my cool skin.

“Tell me who frightened you,” I demand, that possessive thing in my chest roaring for blood. “Tell me who to destroy.”

She makes a sound that might be a laugh or another sob. “You can’t protect me.”

No, I think with bitter clarity. I can’t protect you at all. Not even from myself.

But with her trembling in my arms, her heart thundering against mine, I want to try. Want to burn my carefully laid plans to ash and find another way.

Want to be worthy of the trust she’s showing by seeking comfort in my embrace.

When Lara tilts her face up to mine, tears still glittering on her lashes like diamonds, all my careful logic dissipates.

I kiss her.

The first brush of my lips against hers is gentle, tentative—so different from our other heated encounters.

This feels more dangerous somehow. More real.

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