Page 5 of Claimed In Darkness

I release her just as suddenly as I grabbed her, turning away, exhaling sharply. I should punish her for her defiance, should teach her what happens when humans forget their fucking place.

Instead, I say, “If you refuse, I’ll make sure every human in Orthani suffers for your disobedience.”

That hits its mark.

I don’t even need to look at her to know it. I hear it in the sharp inhale, in the way her breath stalls in her chest.

That’s her weakness.

Not herself.

The others.

The ones hiding in the ruins beneath this city, the ones she’s been stealing for, bleeding for, suffering for.

I turn back to face her, tilting my head. “Work for me,” I say, voice soft now, almost a purr. “And I will grant them protection. I will ensure that every human under my control is kept safe, untouched. You have my word.”

She doesn’t move.

Doesn’t speak.

But I see it.

Her finger twitches, and she flicks her tongue over her lips in agitation; her breath quickens just slightly.

She’s breaking.

Slowly.

I take one last step forward, close enough to see the defiance warring against the inevitable fucking surrender.

She exhales, a sharp, furious breath. “Fine.”

The victory is delicious.

I grin. “Good girl.”

She snarls, stepping back like the words burn. “I hope you choke on your own pride, my lord.”

I chuckle, watching her, already anticipating the hell we’re about to unleash upon each other.

“Likewise, little fox.”

3

NAIRA

Ishould have let him kill me.

That would have been the easier choice.

But no—I had to open my mouth, had to fucking agree to whatever twisted game Zephiran Zacria is playing. And now, I’m bound to him by a deal I barely understand, a leash made of silk and steel.

He knows it.

He walks ahead of me, leading me through the estate like a king guiding his newest, most unruly pet. His stride is lazy, effortless, like he’s never had to run for anything in his privileged, blood-soaked life. He moves like the world owes him space, and it does.

I hate that I notice how he moves. Hate the way my body is still vibrating from his presence.

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