Nina The receptionist at the sleek hotel front desk flashed me a polite smile as Luke and I approached. My shoes seemed to echo as they clicked on the marble floors, and I looked around warily, taking in the sight of all of the wealthy hotel patrons that were milling around. “I feel out of place
Enzo I scrambled to my feet, my palms scraping on the icy stone floor. The swirling portal had vanished, abandoning me alone in this strange place. Smooth obsidian walls surrounded me, broken only by a high, domed ceiling. There were no visible doors or windows in the expansive circular room. Ex
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I collapsed in a weakened heap on the cot. The silver rope was still bound around my wrists and my neck, a constant reminder. Every movement ached, and my wolf was nowhere to be found. Some time later, the sound of iron jerked me out of a half-sleep. I fo
Nina “Nina! Look at this.” My eyes locked onto the glinting silver strands that were pinched between Luke’s fingers, almost sparkling in the sunlight. At first I simply gaped in confusion. “Silver jewelry thread? It must have fallen off of Mila’s blouse when she was here with Enzo,” I said.
Enzo “Get your filthy hands off of me!” I snarled, thrashing against the two burly servants who were attempting to strip off my clothes. More hands grabbed at me from all sides, overpowering my weakened struggles. I roared curses until a gag was forced between my teeth, muffling my outrage. Th
Unless... “Let me speak to my wife,” I choked out urgently. “I want to at least see her, let her know I’m alive and that I love her before…” I couldn’t force out the hideous words, but I didn’t need to. “Please,” I said, softening my voice a little, “I know you’re not so cruel as to deny us clos
Nina Luke’s eyebrows drew together at the mention of a portal. He shook his head. “I don’t think it could be a portal,” he said, his voice low so as not to be overheard. “Portals are only able to be opened in places like Mountainview, where the veil between realms is thin.” “What’s to say the
Nina The elderly couple stared blankly back and forth between me and Luke, whose wrist I was clutching more tightly than I realized. Luke’s eyes were wide, unblinking. I was staring at him imploringly. “Beg your pardon, dear?” asked the old woman, her voice pulling me back to reality. “What was