NARRATOR

Gabrielle started coughing loudly, feeling that Quinn wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer and would rush in to rescue her at any moment.

“She will never forgive you… sir… her brother… he’s my mate… the man standing out there,” she played the only card she thought could save her life.

She could only hope it would work.

Zarek stared at her for what felt like an eternity.

Suddenly, a deep, cynical laugh escaped his lips, sending an even greater chill down her spine; his sharp fangs gleamed with his murderous aura.

“I'll give you one last chance because right now, I can't afford to divide my strength into so many parts. But if you fail me again, Gabrielle, you know I have plenty of ways to kill you without her ever finding out, right?”

“We will get her back, sir,” she assured him, though not entirely convinced. What else could she say?

She collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently, feeling like her lungs would burst.

She had rarely found herself in such a weakened state