Page 46 of Owned

I hesitated, the edge of the ravine behind me.

Something forced its way into my thoughts.

What if I just… fell?

The grimoire surged in my mind—even the thought of ending my life was enough to make it react.

What if it was the only way I could truly be free?

“Will you think about it?” he asked.

I nodded, but the movement was tentative.

My heart burned with the need to escape, to run, to get away from everything my mother’s choices had forced on me. I should have hated this world. I should have despised it.

But Valen was still here. Titus and Bastian were still here. I wanted them, too. And even though I knew they were dangerous, even though I knew they could kill me, even though I knew I was letting the grimoire destroy me, I didn’t want to leave.

Valen’s gaze was steady and full of expectation. I could feel him waiting for me to say yes, waiting for me to throw myself into his arms and into his plan.

I wanted to be free—and to run away with him… I was more drawn to that promise than I wanted to admit.

But something held me back.

And so I hesitated.

“I—” My voice cracked. “I don’t know what I want.”

“I do.” His eyes were alive and full of promise. “I know what you want.”

He laid his hands on my hips, firm and comforting, and pulled me closer as the gray-stained world shrank away.

I leaned in as his lips brushed against mine, tentative at first, testing. Then the kiss grew deeper, more urgent and my mouth opened under his.

The ground swayed beneath me.

A tremor coursed through my body, too powerful, too intense, too real.

It would be so easy to give in—so easy—

But I couldn’t. Not yet.

I pulled away, breaking the kiss, my breath ragged, my head spinning, my heart a hurricane of fear and longing and doubt.

“I—” I stammered. “I can’t.”

He seemed amused, like he’d expected this all along, like he’d been waiting for it. “Not yet?”

“Not yet.”

He released his hold on me but didn’t back away. “I can wait.”

The ravine was so close.

One small step—I could make it all go away.

“I’ll think about it,” I said again, but the words sounded empty and uncertain.

“That’s all I ask.”

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