Moving cautiously, she sat at the table.When the man turned around, her mouth parted in surprise.
Oh, hell.
He had high cheekbones and a distractingly plump bottom lip. And his eyes were gold, the intense color almost unnatural.
Definitely unnatural.
She barely noticed she’d been staring until his lips curved into a smile. Iliana snapped her mouth shut so fast her teeth clicked.
They’re not human.
The previous man had called her ‘human,’ as if she were something else. And now this one, this godlike man, had golden eyes that practically glowed.
“Please relax,” he said in a gentle tone. “You must be hungry. Hyp said you have not eaten yet today.”
Relax? How could she relax when nothing made sense anymore?
Unlike the other man, his voice didn’t have that hypnotic quality that made her want to sleep. And he was offering food, not threats.She looked at him carefully, trying to figure out if he was lying or planning something, but he just waited.
She forced herself not to hesitate. “Yes, I’m hungry.”
His smile widened, almost reassuring. Almost.
Iliana watched as he ladled stew into two bowls. He set one in front of her, then returned to the oven. When he pulled out a fresh loaf of bread, she clenched her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking.All she wanted to do was grab the bowl and devour its contents.
Thankfully, caution held her back.
The man sat across from her, folding himself into the dining chair with his legs barely fitting underneath the table. If she weren’t so exhausted and terrified, she might’ve found his size versus the small chair amusing.
He cut a few slices of the bread before taking a bite of the stew.
Only then did she reach for her spoon. The first taste nearly made her moan. Rich and savory, the tender beef and soft vegetables melted on her tongue. She devoured the food, barely tasting it after the first bite, only stopping when she realized the man had put his spoon down and was watching her with concern.
Blushing, she looked away in embarrassment.
“When was the last time you ate?” he asked, pushing the bread toward her.
She hesitated, then took a slice. “I’m not sure. How long have I been here?”
His eyes darkened. “Almost three days,” he said, frowning. “Has he not fed you?”
Was he mad at his friend? On her behalf?
“No,” she admitted. “I, um...my last meal was breakfast the day I was taken.”Kidnapped, she silently corrected.
He fisted his hand on the table. “And has he told you why you are here?”
Iliana let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “No. Nothing. I’ve asked and tried to leave, but I always seem to pass out.”She asked what had been troubling her. “Did he...drug me?”
He shook his head. “No. Not drugs.” Before she could press further, he continued, pointing at her bowl. “Would you like more food?”
She almost said yes, but didn’t know if she could handle any more. Eating too much after so long without might be a bad idea.
Instead, she asked, “Can I know your name?”
He smiled again, his expression warm and easy. “My friends call me Ani.”
“You think of me as a friend?” A part of her needed to hear he didn’t have plans of hurting her, but who knew what kidnappers did to their friends? Their moral compasses were obviously skewed.
