The grand hall of the Thorne estate was suffused with an eerie crimson glow, illuminated by chandeliers forged from black iron and hung with red candles dripping like blood onto polished marble. Shadows shifted restlessly along the walls, cast by the flickering flames, twisted figures dancing in silent torment.
Elara stepped through the imposing doorway, heart racing, every breath feeling impossibly tight within the torturous embrace of Kael's silver-spiked corset. Each movement stabbed her with needles of pain, the metal biting mercilessly into her ribs, yet she kept her expression blank, unwilling to reveal weakness before predators.
Eyes glittered hungrily from every corner of the room. Members of Kael's syndicate lounged with sinister grace, sipping dark wine from crystal goblets, their whispered conversations halting abruptly at her presence.
A hush fell over the hall.
"Elara," purred a velvet-dark voice that slithered down her spine. Kael emerged from the shadows, his powerful frame garbed in a black, impeccably tailored suit that accentuated his lethal elegance. He stepped toward her, golden eyes blazing with undisguised hunger and something deeply possessive.
She lifted her chin defiantly, though her pulse trembled at the predator's proximity. "Kael."
His lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile, revealing the tips of gleaming fangs. With deliberate ease, he closed the gap between them, fingers lightly tracing the silver spikes of the corset, pressing just enough to draw tiny beads of blood through the fabric.
"Does it hurt?" he whispered softly, a dark amusement dancing in his gaze.
"Isn't that why you chose it?" Elara challenged quietly, her voice edged with defiance despite the tremors of pain radiating through her bones.
Kael chuckled softly, leaning closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Pain heightens pleasure, my dear. Soon, you'll crave it as much as you fear it."
She swallowed hard, refusing to flinch away. "I'll never be yours."
"Such sweet lies," Kael murmured, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes, their gazes locking fiercely. "But we both know you already are."
He lifted a goblet from a passing servant's tray, holding it to her lips, his fingers gripping her jaw with unsettling gentleness. Elara hesitated, heart hammering furiously. The wine smelled sweet, too sweet—a dangerous perfume masking something sinister beneath.
"What's in it?" she demanded, voice low and wary.
"Mandrake," he replied silkily, watching her reaction carefully, golden eyes narrowed in anticipation. "Drink."
"And if I refuse?"
Kael smiled coldly, grip tightening painfully around her jaw, forcing her lips apart. "Then I'll make you."
Her heart stumbled violently as the liquid burned its way down her throat, sweet poison scorching her senses. The room spun dangerously, heat and dizziness rushing over her in waves.
Kael released her abruptly, stepping back with a cruel smirk as Elara swayed, vision blurred. He snapped his fingers, and musicians began playing—a slow, haunting waltz echoing darkly through the hall.
He extended a hand mockingly. "Dance with me, Elara."
She forced herself upright, pride fueling defiance despite the feverish haze overtaking her senses. She placed her trembling hand in his, nails digging into his palm until his skin broke beneath her grip, drawing blood. Kael's eyes flashed dangerously, lips curving with dark approval.
"Careful," he warned softly, pulling her roughly against him. "Your claws only excite me."
They moved fluidly across the floor, each step sending spikes deeper into her flesh. The poison burned hotter, making her head spin wildly. Her blood raced chaotically, pounding desperately in rhythm with the relentless music.
"You're cruel," she hissed weakly, eyes narrowing even as dizziness clouded her vision.
"Yes," Kael purred darkly, spinning her sharply, pulling her flush against him again. "But only because you crave cruelty."
His grip tightened, thumb pressing harshly against the bite mark he'd left on her neck, forcing a choked gasp from her lips.
"You marked me," she whispered breathlessly, pain and something darker curling deliciously within her chest. "Why?"
Kael smiled cruelly, his voice a velvet-edged blade. "To remind you who owns you."
"No one owns me," she spat defiantly, eyes blazing despite the poison spreading insidiously through her veins.
Kael paused mid-dance, drawing her sharply against his chest. His eyes flashed with primal fury and possessive desire. "You still believe that lie?"
She opened her mouth to retort, but a sudden scream pierced the music, shattering the deadly intimacy between them. Heads whipped toward the source, a girl collapsing in convulsions near the banquet table. Foam flecked her lips, her eyes wide with terror and agony.
Kael's face darkened dangerously, his grip on Elara tightening to bruising force. "Stay here."
He strode toward the victim, leaving Elara swaying alone, heart thundering. Another servant dropped suddenly, then another, blood pooling from their mouths. Panic rippled through the guests, shouts and accusations flying wildly.
"Elara," hissed a desperate voice near her ear. She whirled around dizzily to see Mina, pale and trembling, dressed as a servant. "We need to get you out—now."
"Mina?" Elara whispered, relief and confusion battling fiercely within her chest. "What are you—?"
"No time!" Mina tugged at her urgently, eyes wide with terror. "It's Lysandra—she poisoned the wine!"
The world spun violently around Elara, understanding dawning sickeningly. Kael turned sharply, his burning gaze landing accusingly on her, fury etched deeply into his features. His golden eyes narrowed dangerously, lips pulling back to reveal deadly fangs.
"You," he snarled venomously, voice echoing like death itself, eyes fixed murderously upon her. "You betrayed me."
Before she could protest, Mina pulled her forcefully into the shadows, fleeing the chaos erupting behind them. Pain lanced through Elara's chest, her heart twisting in agony—not from poison or spikes, but something far more treacherous.
As they escaped into the night, Kael's roar followed them mercilessly, echoing endlessly in her ears, his words searing her soul like molten silver:
"Run, little traitor. No matter where you hide, I will hunt you down—and I promise your punishment will be exquisite."