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"Tell me you weren't a part of this," he demanded. He'd never raised his voice at her.
"A part of what?" she stammered, taking some steps back from him.
"I know the alarm was pulled in your rooms, Zoria."
"Yeah, I smelled smoke! I told you I've been having nightmares," she said.
Anton grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a hard shake. "Tell me how they got to you!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, shoving him.
Anton's eyes narrowed and then widened. "The man at the club that was all over you.Hegot to you."
"He didn't! I don't know—" Zori's head snapped back, and pain burst through her cheek. She stumbled but didn't fall. Anton had hit her. Her eyes filled with tears.
"You need to tell me everything that happened, girl. Only I am standing between you and Maxim right now," Anton snarled. "If you co-operate, he may forgive you."
"Or I might end up on an operating table. Right, Anton? Will you stand by and watch as he harvests my organs too?" Zori demanded angrily, rage choking her grief.
Black mist began to pour out of her like smoke. It was hot, burning her skin as it crawled around her.
"Z-Zoria…" Anton moved back from her. "What is this?"
"Answer me," Zori demanded, her voice going cold. She felt possessed, her body moving of its own accord. "Will you watch me die too?"
"Give Maxim what he wants, and you won't die, Zori. Trust me." Anton tried to reach for her. The black mist shot out of her, striking him in the chest and flinging him back against the wall.
Zori didn't wait for him to get up. She ran to the penthouse and locked the doors. Anton was shouting orders as other guards joined him.
Zori tore at her clothes, the black mist covering her. She needed to escape. Needed to get out. Pain shot through her, twisting her insides.
Vladik! Help me!she called. There was no reply from her gargoyle, but another voice answered.
Fly, child. Fly,a woman said, her voice colder than ice, darker than midnight.
Blinded by the black mist, Zori stumbled to the balcony door and pulled it open.
Zori sobbed. She was going to die, just like Alisa had. Power rolled through her, and she screamed as black feathers burst through her skin. Zori couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Something else was taking over her, and she had no power to stop it.
"There she is! On the balcony!" Anton's voice broke through.
Help me!Zori begged the strange woman. She scrambled onto the concrete railing that had been the last place she had seen Alisa.
Fly, little swan, the voice replied.
Wings tore out of Zori's arms, and as Anton reached for her, she jumped. Wind roared around her, and stars burst in front of her eyes. The other part of her took the lead, and she flapped her wings.
The swan soared upward, the wind catching her feathers and sending her higher. Something burned in the swan's breast, telling her where to go. It was like a thread of light wound through the buildings, guiding her. She knew where safety was.
The night hid her from watchful eyes, and magic left stars in her wake. This was what freedom felt like, something the swan had never felt before. Elated, she flapped her wings harder, the world passing beneath them.
Magic boosted her, guided her, until she soared over a warehouse. She floated softly on the wind before circling down. There was a small balcony, attached to a fire escape. The swan swooped for it and crashed on the wet landing. She was so close; she just needed to get inside.
Two men were inside, sitting at a table. The swan beat against the door, trying to get their attention. Eyes swiveled to her, and she called out again.
The man hurried to the door and opened it. The swan launched itself at him, and the man caught her. He didn't smell like a man. He smelled like magic and home. The man lifted the swan so she could see his brilliant blue eyes.
"Z-Zori?" he stammered.
