Calla's POV
You ought not to be here. The words Lucian spoke sounded like a dreadful growl full of danger.
I put that off. Tension filled the space between us as his silver-gray eyes fixed on me like a predator sizing its target. His huge body filled the opening, jagged shadows across his sharp features created by the dim hall light.
Breath irregular, I back off and add, "Neither should you."
Following him into the west wing of the estate, I had turned away every sensation shouting at me. But I was searching for solutions. Had to know why Lucian Grey, the man prowling my every waking hour, turned his attention on me as though I were both his atonement and his fate.
He said softly, "Go back to your room, Calla." Moving forward.
I moved not at all.
NOT unless you share the truth with me.
His tongue closed. I could sense the fight raging inside him—some basic drive against whatever restriction he still maintained.
Then he disappeared quite quickly from under me.
Before my back touched the cool stone wall, I hardly had time to gasp. His hands boxed me in, muscles curled tightly, his wild and smokey aroma assaulted my senses.
His voice was indeed dangerously quiet. Calla, you desire nothing of the truth. Once you know what I am—once you realize you won't be able to go quickly enough—"The
My pulse hammering. Driven not by concern. FROM something really different.
Test me.
After briefly glancing down to my lips, his nose flared and he turned back to meet my eyes.
"I can't let you go," he said, voice tense and almost broken. "And I'm not sure whether that qualifies me as only a fool or a monster."
A shudder went down my back. Though he was holding himself back, I could feel his body vibrating with controlled power, his breath accelerating, his fingers twitching at his sides as if he were fighting to stop the desire to touch me.
Then he disappeared, moving to the other side of the poorly lighted passageway just as fast as he had boxed me in.
"This was an error." His voice was all steel; the sweetener vanished.
Furious, my breast started to hurt. For me, you never have to make that decision!
Lucian turned with a bad look. Me is. Calla, your future is yet unknown. You assume this has bearing on you and me? That does not define its range. Darius looks for me. My pack is divided in two. And you—" He inhaled sharply. It is you I cannot gamble with.
My hands drew together in fists. "You're driving me away to shield me, then? That's appalling, Lucian!"":
He laughed, then bitter and hostile. Stepping forward, he continued, "You think this is easy for me?" still another. You think I wake against will every damned day to claim you? To suggest you? Now his voice sounded almost like a growl, charged with something primitive and lethal.
Then halt working.
Words poured out before I could stop them.
quiet, forceful, electric.
Students slowed slowly; Lucian's chest surged one after the other fast.
"You don't know what you're asking," he said raspingly.
thus show me."
He started his mouth to curse. Later on—"
Burn.
I lost myself when his mouth fell on mine.
About Lucian, everything was passion and dominance. His hands grabbed my waist and yanked me against him, like he could not stand even one inch of distance between us. As he sank the kiss and I knotted my fingers in his dark hair, panting, his weight drove me back into the stone wall.
Here there was not a kiss. Fighting was happening here. a battle of restraint and yearning, of despair and fury.
And in it I was losing my self.
Later,
The instant broke with an ear-splitting crash.
Lucian tore away from me, teeth naked and his eyes shining silver.
Turning just in time, I discovered Eli standing at the hall door with soft green eyes whirling.
"We have problems." He spoke with great, strong intensity. "Daris's men—" he stopped then turned to face me. "They have taken Tess."
My lungs started to empty of life.
"No," I murmured.
Lucian sw swore and started to move already.
His voice hurt as he asked, "Where?"
Eli responded, "They left a message," sharply waving a note bearing bloodstains.
Lucian grabbed it, reading and his mouth clenched. His silver eyes blazed then turned to meet me.
Calla, "Their want you."
I felt frigid crawling down my back.
Me? My voice emerged hardly at all.
Lucian tightened his hands. Darius respects your nature. He is aware of your blood relationship to the curse."
Eli gasped suddenly. Lucian, you have decisions to choose here. Calla... dies; occasionally referred to as the girl dies. Within
serene.
Though my brain was whirling too fast and my heart was hammering into my ribs, I felt the weight of both their gaze on me.
tela. My pal; the best one available. I had only one really trustworthy friend.
Lucian's eyes clouded with something I couldn identify. Fury. Depression. fright.
Lucian growled and added, "We don't trade lives." really low.
Eli ignored her. Your choice might not be clear-cut.
Turning to stare at me, Lucian said
"Your are not going anywhere near him," Ask Calla.
If it will save Tessa, I will.
Lucian turned hostile in his approach. Throughout my dead body.
"Lucian" —
" Not!" His voice had force and clarity. "He wants you as he thinks you are the one qualified to remove the curse. Once he holds your hands—" He shortened his distance, his breathing irregular. I will stop that from happening.
My heartbeat beating, I sucked hard.
What then ought we to do?"
Lucian turned to look at Eli. Get the others too. Tonight, we walk.
Eli nodded and started to turn away already. "We actually have not much time."
Lucian looked angrily back at me. "Stay near, Calla." Not matters what happens." Notwithstanding,
I accepted.
I knew deep down what it was.
Tonight everything appeared primed for metamorphosis.