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Kieran’s gaze lingers on me as it usually did. Did he already size me up for a chamber?

After a passing moment, he pushes himself off the threshold, shoves his hands into his pockets, and replies, “I’ll see you in a little while.” He doesn’t glance back at me as he walks away.

I shut the door behind me and exhale a deep breath.

“Daisy?” I whisper. She is nowhere to be seen and I didn’t have time for her antics right now. There were so many thoughts floating around my mind, I didn’t know which one to focus on as I slide into the dress Christian had requested.

Misty assumes her sentry position by my side as we make our way to the dining room. I slow once we approach. Angry hushed voices can be heard through the thick doors.

“It’s a lot harder to rid yourself of the guilt down here, isn’t it?” Christian seethes.

“You’re funny, aren’t you? All you had to do was bring me the bodies. You couldn’t even do what was required.” Kieran’s responding tone is cool.

“Look—all that matters is getting out of here. The mountain road being impassable is going to further incense the town,” Dr. Marlowe interjects.

“So, are you going to tell me where the relic is?” The anger in Christian’s voice is palpable.

“None of that is your business anymore.” Kieran’s heavy footsteps pace the room.

“What about her?” Christian asks.

“She’s not yours to speak for anymore Valen, you lost that opportunity years ago,” Kieran volleys.

Eagerly, I press closer.

“Did I lose it, or did you manufacture this chaos? We all lost our memories because of you.” I can picture Christian pointing those strong fingers in Kieran’s indignant face. A chair screeches across the floor. I pull Misty to me as we back against a wall.

Who else had lost their memories?

“Just do your job. We aren’t doing anything wrong if they’re already sentenced for death. Isn’t that what you once told me?” Kieran’s anger seems a bit theatrical but there’s an edge there that makes me wary.

“You want me to continue lying to her?”

“It is a fact that if we overwhelm her now, it could cause more harm. There have been others who have exhibited detrimental behavior when exposed to past memories all at once. The trauma overloads the psyche. Overloads the body. And it’s not like you can tell her anything…anyway.” Kieran’s indignant tone sends a chord of fury along my spine, volleying from my toes to the nape of my neck, charged for release.

The doors open on a quick push; I hurry away from the entrance and act like I hadn’t been listening. Christian spots me in the far corner of the hallway and arches an eyebrow. He covers the distance to me in a few long strides, hands reaching for my wrists and pinning them above me before I can escape. My gaze falls upon those smoldering copper eyes and I resent the consuming grip of this strange feeling in my core.

“Glad to see we’re partners.” He pinches a piece of fabric between his fingers. I slap his hand away, glancing over at the doorway. Arik and Kieran are still whispering animatedly.

“Move before they see you.” I push against his chest.

His heated gaze penetrates my skin, warming flesh wherever his eyes land. Can he hear the thrumming beneath my ribs? The cadence of my erratic heartbeats? The push and pull of oxygen being stolen from my lungs? Like a string of blazing photographs, unbidden images of his hands caressing the cold contours of my body, recharges the lancing fury along my spine morphing it into thick, scorching desire.

A slow groan rumbles in his chest and I can’t help the hand that moves to rest above his heart.

“How much did you hear?” Christian asks, lacing his fingers through mine. His touch is warm and delicate.

Doors to the dining room open startlingly fast as Arik rushes from the room, mumbling something to himself. Christian effortlessly moves to tinker with something at a window, pretending to survey the surroundings. His tall silhouette against the early morning sun makes him appear even more dangerous.

A thread of tension wraps its way around my throat.

“Ah, Marisa, you’re up,” Dr. Marlowe remarks. He looks just as tired as the rest of them.

The conversation between them plays in my head. Who else had lost their memories?

“Dr. Marlowe.” I smile.

Kieran exits behind Arik and I greet him again. Arik pets Misty and she tumbles into the Great Room, seating herself before the fire.