The Obsidian Vow

ross the room, bathing them in a warm, golden light that contrasted sharply with the cold tension in the air. Damian's estate exuded an air of grandeur and mystery, with its h

crossed her face. He was a man who thrived on power and control, and she knew that every move he made, every word he spoke, was calculate

him, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. "So, Ms. Blackwood," he began

was still trying to figure out what game he was playing. "I'm here because you invited me, Mr. Thorn," she replie

n any real warmth. "Curiosity can be a dangerous thing," he said softly, his gaze nev

o remain composed. "I'm not afraid of a little danger, Mr. Thorn," she counter

ted at the depths of the man behind the polished exterior. "That's what makes you so interesting, Ms. Blackwood," he said, his voice

She knew she was playing with fire, but there was something about Damian Thorn that drew

leaning forward slightly, her curiosity getting th

hen, he stood up, moving with a fluid grace that belied his size and strength. He walked over

asked, his tone contemplative. "To have the world at your feet, t

ersation. "I can't say that I do," she admitted, though she couldn't deny the

d, his voice low and intense. "The power I hold... it's a double-edged sword. It can giv

wed others to see. For a moment, Adriana felt a pang of sympathy for him, but she quickly pushed

ce softening slightly as she tried to understand what he

n he nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yes," he admitted, his voice barely above

ian Thorn was a man who had built his empire on control, on power, and yet, beneath it all, t

he cold, calculating businessman once more. "That's why I need someone like you," he said, his voice taking on a new,

t he was asking. "You want me to work for you?" sh

tudied her reaction. "You're a journalist, Adriana. You have access t

felt a surge of anger rise within her. "You think you can buy me?

d to buy you, Adriana," he said quietly. "I'm offering you a choice-a chan

king alongside a man like Damian Thorn, of having access to the power and influence that he wielded. But another part of her-the part

nally, her voice cold as she met his ga

his eyes. "Don't be so quick to dismiss my offer, Adriana," he warned, his voice lac

r spine. She had always known that Damian Thorn was a dangerous man, but now s

ed, her voice trembling slightly

t you've already stepped into my world, Adriana. And once you're in, th

ld do whatever it took to protect his empire, even if it meant destroying her in the process. But if she accepted,

uggled to think of a solution, she knew that there was no easy answer. Damian Thorn was not a man to

er voice calm and measured. "I'll need time to think ab

his expression softening slightly. "Of course," he said, his tone returning to its usual smoothnes

had just happened. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, and she felt a sense of

the door interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see Henry

tely, "your room is ready. If

ow you t

the room. Her thoughts were still racing, and she barely registered the

om was spacious, with a king-sized bed draped in luxurious linens, a sitting area by the window, and a fireplace that cra

. "If there's anything you need, Ms. Blackwood, please don't

to muster a smile, though her mind was sti

eart pounding in her chest as the reality of her situation began to sink in. She was alone in Damian Thorn's estate,

inkle in the distance. The estate grounds were vast, stretching out as far as the eye could see, with

ng she knew, from the safety and comfort of her own life. But beneath that fear, there w

about him that drew her in, that made her want to see just how far she could push

circling back to Damian's offer, to the dangerous game he was asking her to play. She knew that she should

lity of uncovering the secrets that Damian Thorn guarded so

sense of everything. She knew she was in over her head, but she also knew that there was no turning bac

e couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the begin

dn't help but wonder what Damian Thorn had in store for her-what dark se

easy to find. But she was determined

rrendered herself to the darkness, knowing

-

grounds. Adriana woke early, the events of the previous day still fresh in her mind. She

the halls. It was as if the estate itself was holding its bre

her, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Good morning, Ms. Blackwood,"

ian's name, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Than

ina and silverware. Damian was already seated at the head of the table, his posture relaxed as

th a smile that didn't quite reach

d barely slept at all. "I did, thank you,"

mind," he said, his tone softening slightly. "And I don't want you to feel pressured into mak

r, made Adriana's heart race. She knew that this was a pivotal moment

r, and a servant entered, carrying a tray with a sealed en

ion darkened, and Adriana felt a sense of dread settle

, his expression grim. "It seems we have a problem, Adriana," h

uation sinking in. She didn't know what was in that letter, but she knew that it

she couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the br

, and there was no