Bounded by shadows

earlier torment. Her breath came in shallow gasps, each one a reminder of the physical and emotional strain she had been endu

, focused on the darkened stone wall in front of her, even as the sounds of footsteps echoed faintly in the distance. Her heart pounded as she listened to each moveme

-tall, imposing, his expression hard as granite. His eyes swept over her,

n. But even as he spoke, there was something in his gaze-something that falt

ike an eternity. And yet, there was something undeniable between them, something raw

her, his presence suffocating. He knelt before her, his hand reaching towa

, more to himself than to he

, Ana held his gaze. Her heart raced, but she refused to loo

voice hoarse but resolute. "But it won't. You can d

ldn't fully hide. But then, as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced with

and heavy with threat. "I have ways o

him with a finality that seemed to echo in the chamber. She was alone again, but not for long

f-a quiet, defiant whisper that refused to bow. The storm was comi