Chapter 3

I hadn't even been in my new place for twenty-four hours before I was drugged, knocked out, and dragged straight into Darius's territory.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a massive bed.

The moment I stood, my gaze locked onto the floor-to-ceiling mirror directly across the room.

I stared at my reflection. The necrotic blood-spot on my cheek was gone.

In its place was a thick, seamless layer of makeup, fabricating a flawless porcelain face.

While I was still staring at the reflection, the bedroom door clicked open.

Darius leaned casually against the doorframe.

"You look much more agreeable now," he said, stalking toward me with his eyes raking brazenly over my body. "That's temple-grade concealer. Tonight is the night we consummate our bond, and I won't have my mood ruined by that grotesque face of yours."

I stared coldly at the despicable bastard. "You had me kidnapped just for a makeover? I'm supposed to form a Soul Pact with Lucian. Did you forget?"

"Pure Starlight bloodlines are exceedingly rare. Do you really think I'd just let you bind yourself to a mad dog like Lucian?" A calculating gleam flashed in Darius's eyes. "Once the deed is done and you're carrying my child, your Soul Pact with him will be voided. The others will have no choice but to accept it."

"'Once the deed is done'?" I let out a harsh, mocking laugh.

I slapped his hand away. Without a second thought, I dug my fingers into my cheek and violently scrubbed the thick powder off.

The dark, purplish-red necrotic mark was exposed to the air once more—a raw, direct provocation.

"Darius, you don't even have the guts to look at the real me." I turned around, staring dead into his shock-tightened face. "You can't even stomach a blemish on my skin, yet you're delusional enough to think you can drain my bloodline to breed?"

"I used to hate this mark too, but right now? I'm grateful for it. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have seen just how thoroughly fake you are to your core!" I took a step toward him. "You fear Lucian. You call him a beast, but he's a million times more genuine than you will ever be!"

"You obstinate bitch!"

Darius roared, turning his fury to the door. "Get in here! Pin her down and reapply the makeup!"

Two towering guards burst into the room, violently twisting my arms behind my back and forcing me down into a chair.

Darius looked down at me from his high horse. "Cool off here. I'm going to handle the paperwork for my pact with Isolde. When I get back, I will personally teach you how to obey."

The heavy door slammed shut.

It didn't take long for the lock to click again. But the person who walked in wasn't Darius.

"How are you enjoying the accommodations, Cousin? To think a face ruined by a blood spot could still seduce two men."

Isolde's eyes were brimming with mockery. "I might as well tell you—drugging you and dragging you here? That was all my idea."

"You went through all that trouble just to serve me up to your fiancé?" I lifted my gaze, glaring sharply at her.

Isolde let out a disdainful scoff.

"Serve you to Darius? You're not worthy. What I want is your life!"

She pulled out a glass bottle. The pungent, acidic stench of sun-powder instantly filled the air. Right in front of my eyes, she splashed the liquid directly over the carpet and onto my clothes.

"Darius will see nothing but a tragic, accidental fire. No one can save you." She pulled out a fire starter. "Once you burn to ashes, I'll be the only pure bloodline left. Darius, the power, all of it—will be mine."

Watching death inch closer, I didn't hesitate to play my final card.

"The corpse poison in your veins is eating you alive. Burning me won't change that."

Isolde's hand froze instantly. "How do you know that?!"

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that I know how to delay the flare-ups." I met her stare, dropping my voice to a dangerous whisper. "Let me live, and I'll make sure you survive the full moon backlash after you form the pact."

Isolde clenched her jaw, rapidly weighing her options. A moment later, she turned and called in two of her trusted henchmen.

"Find a charred corpse and throw it on the bed—kill any lingering hope Darius has. Throw a cloak on her and get her out of here."

She marched up to me, her sharp nails digging mercilessly into my jaw. "You better keep your mouth shut. Breathe a word of this, and I'll make sure you die a hundred times worse than burning."

She shoved me away, letting her two grunts drag me out the door.

Just then, a dark silhouette plummeted from above.

Before anyone could react, a thick, suffocating cloud of black salt smoke exploded in the air. The guards let out bloodcurdling screams.

The bruising grip on my arms vanished. Instantly, a pair of strong, scorching-hot arms wrapped securely around my waist, hoisting me up into the air.

"Don't be afraid. Close your eyes," a low, gravelly voice brushed against my ear.

The man moved with blinding speed, vaulting across the cityscape until he finally carried me into an abandoned safehouse hidden deep within a dark alley.

The moment our feet hit the floor, he reached up and yanked off his mask.

My heart skipped a beat the second I saw his face.

"Lucian! How is it you?!"