Siren of the Nightmare System

Betrayal

e's chaos clinging to her skin, a fine layer of soot and anxiety. She leaned against the damp, cold brickwork of

. He stepped into her personal space, his hand coming up to cup her jaw. His touch wa

ers with a possessive, predatory hunger. "But the scent of you

g shut as she drank in the scent of ozone and cru

sound that traveled through her very marrow. "

d of expensive, enchanted leather boots hitting the cobblestones followed.

shed, his expensive silk coat undisturbed, though his face was a mask of cold, control

at Jericho; he kept his eyes locked on Astrida, his gaze flicking over her with a mixture of disgust and dark fascina

her voice steady and sharp. "And clearly, neither do you,

r a boot, sister. I'm just here to make sure you stay crushed. I heard whispers about the Nightmare

dagger of solidified shadow. "You aren't even worthy of the int

a sickening, golden hue. "You think you're so clever with your little tricks? Your void magic? It's

lood in the air. He stepped forward, his shadow elongating and lashing out like a ser

ite training, but Astrida was faster. She dropped, sweeping her leg to destabilize

mered. Gravi

med into the wall by an invisible, crushing force of

to push himself up. His face was contorted i

liberate pace. She stopped inches from him, the violet sigil on her shoulder glowing with a blinding intensity.

look of intense, dark pride. "Break

hand against the wall behind Lysander's head, pinning him with the sheer weight of her newf

his eyes darting from her to the

"You're going to walk back to that gala, and you're going to tell them that I'm coming for everything. Every credit, every

. With a swift, precise motion, she shattered the mana-core embe

ged, pathetic sound that

commanded, her v

uselessly, his poise shattered, a

waist, pulling her flush against his chest. He breathed in

e a low, rough vibrato against her

till hammering with the thrill of the hun

razing the skin of her shoulder, right next to the brand he