As we neared, Dane began to disrobe, stroking himself as we walked. Curiosity and concern mingled within me, compelling me to question the ritualistic preparation. "Why does he expect that of you?" I inquired, the memory of our last encounter with Magness still fresh. "Especially if he's planning to do what he did before?" Dane paused before responding, "It might not be the only thing he wants. But Jo, just remember, go along with whatever happens. It's going to be okay, alright?" Katherine, following at a discreet distance, gathered Dane's discarded clothes as he dropped them. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Follow his lead, child. That's your key to getting through this night unscathed. He's not interested in us...he does not like humans, let alone females. Just play your part, and he won't touch you." Her advice only increased my anxiety. The very thought of 'playing along' in a scenario where I had no real understanding of the rules left me feeling more on edge than reassu

Without a word, I lifted Jo into my arms, her slender form shaking violently against me as I carried her back to the pink room. Her sobs broke the silence, each one echoing against the walls of my heart, resonating with a pain I felt keenly. Holding her close in bed after pulling on loose clothing to cover the injuries and bite marks until they healed, I felt her tears dampen my shirt. She cried until the gentle rise and fall of her chest evened out, her sobs giving way to the quiet breathing of sleep. I decided that was the last time she would cry herself to sleep in my arms. I would not fail her like this again. The moonlight brought a new night, but the shadow of the previous day lingered. Everything was packed and ready for our departure. The return journey in the limo was silence. I was lost, my thoughts a vortex around the events that had unfolded. I reclined in the seat, Jo nestled against my chest as I stared out the window.She reached up and undid my collar, jolting me b

(DANE POV) The sounds that filled the room were authentic, arising naturally from the depth of our connection, devoid of any pretense or exaggerated display. It was crucial to me, vital even, that she felt the profound distinction between the spectacle forced upon us in Magness's presence and the genuine, heartfelt union we shared now. The lessons I learned from my turbulent history with Deirk, as well as the pain and confusion that had lingered for centuries before we finally addressed it, underscored the importance of this moment. I was determined to ensure that she recognized the difference, to prevent any shadow of doubt or misinterpretation from clouding her perception. I wanted her to know that what we shared was real and pure, worlds apart from the manipulation and coercion forced on us. This was about us, about a connection that defied the constraints of time and circumstance. Eventually, I watched over her as she fell asleep, mere hours before the dawn signaled th

(DANE POV)When Cami briefed us about the lockdown, she laid out the seriousness of the situation with an urgency I hadn't seen before. She was trying to tell me something without saying it. The entire campus was to be sealed off due to a turf war sparked by the presence of a girl from a prohibited family. This dispute had escalated dangerously, now posing a threat to the safety of everyone at the academy. The stakes were suddenly much higher. All humans were confined to their rooms alongside their masters, relying solely on trusted attendants for their essentials.Magness's sudden arrival now made perfect sense. He wasn't just here to torment me or stir up old fears. He needed me to dive into the fray and help him navigate this upheaval. The task was daunting, not just because of the physical dangers involved but also because a delicate political balance needed to be maintained to quell the unrest. Something I specialized in. This wasn't just another assignment or a simple fa

(DANE POV) In a basement warehouse in New York, I was evading slivers of sunlight that dared to intrude through the cracks in the doors and windows. Each beam reminded me of the time ticking away, exacerbating my frustration with the situation. The day's task had dragged on far longer than anticipated, and the need to dodge these rays of light only fueled my growing irritation.Before me sat a family cousin stirring up trouble, slumped in a chair in the old, dingy room. Drawing upon the thick New York accent I once shared with Jo, a memory that now brought her smiling face unsolicited to my mind each time I used it, I addressed him. "Gregory... you know this isn't going anywhere fast. And I'm not one to back down, so why don't we speed this up? I'm sure there are places you'd rather be than here, losing blood in my company.Gregory's response was laced with defiance. "Fuck you. We're not under your thumb anymore." Technically, he was right. His family, the only human mafia that per