03 - Mark

Elise’s pulse pounded in her ears, but she refused to look away, refusing to let him see an ounce of fear. She lifted her chin, meeting his burning gaze with unshaken defiance. “Then let me ask you again.” Her voice was steady, but there was a razor-sharp edge to it, daring him.

The man chuckled, slow and deep, the sound curling around her like smoke—warm, intoxicating, and dangerous. His eyes glowed in the dim light, filled with an amusement that sent a shiver down her spine. “You’re bold to question me,” he mused, lips quivering into a smirk. “Shall I entertain you before I send you to your death, sweetie?”

The pet name made her stomach twist, not in fear—but in something else. Something darker. He said it like a mockery, like she was a toy he was toying with before breaking.

Her fingers twitched, itching for her weapon. “Are you one of Vael’s men?” she pressed, her patience unraveling.

His smirk widened. “Oh? I didn’t know I was so popular with hunters.” His voice was lazy, teasing, as if he was enjoying this far too much.

Elise’s breath caught in her throat, her body thrumming with fury. “You’re vile. Cruel.”

Vael’s eyes flickered, glowing brighter, as if her anger fed him. His gaze trailed over her face, slow and deliberate, before locking onto hers again. “I know,” he murmured, the words dripping with self-satisfaction. “Any other compliments for me?” He leaned in slightly, voice dropping lower. “Or are you truly wasting your last moments just to talk about me?”

That was it.

The rage inside her snapped.

In a flash, her hand shot to her thigh, fingers curling around the cold steel of her hidden knife. With deadly precision, she lunged, aiming straight for his throat.

But before the blade could touch him, his hand moved—fast as lightning, catching her wrist mid-strike.

Her breath hitched. His grip was iron, his skin unyielding against the blade’s edge. He didn’t even flinch, the smirk on his lips deepening as he slowly, effortlessly, twisted her wrist back.

And then, in one swift motion, he pushed her down.

Elise barely had time to gasp before she was forced back onto the bed, her body sinking into the soft sheets as his weight pressed over her. His free hand shot forward, fingers wrapping around her throat.

A gasp tore from her lips, her hands flying to his wrist, trying to pry him off, but his strength was absolute. Overwhelming.

His burning eyes locked onto hers, glowing like molten gold, filled with something dark—something that sent heat curling low in her stomach.

“Tsk, tsk,” he murmured, his thumb brushing along the side of her neck, almost a caress. “That wasn’t very nice of you.” His voice was smooth, dangerous, dripping with something that sent another shiver through her.

His grip wasn’t crushing, just enough to make her aware of how easily he could take her breath away. How easily he could break her.

Elise’s heart thundered against her ribs, but her glare never wavered. “Go to hell,” she spat, voice rough but unyielding.

Vael’s smirk widened, his gaze flickering to her lips for the briefest second before returning to her eyes. “Oh, sweetie,” he purred, leaning in closer until his breath ghosted over her skin. “I’ve already been there.”

His voice was a whisper against her lips, the warmth of him intoxicating, suffocating. Elise’s pulse hammered as she felt the heat radiating from his body, the weight of him pinning her down like an unshakable force.

Her breathing was ragged, her body tense beneath him. Her fingers flexed, debating her next move, but he saw it—felt it.

His grip tightened ever so slightly. “Thinking of trying that again?” he murmured, amusement lacing his tone.

Elise’s nails dug into his wrist, a challenge burning in her silver eyes. “Try me.”

Vael hummed, tilting his head, as if considering her words. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached behind him. Elise flinched, expecting an attack—but instead, he put down something onto the bed beside her.

A gun.

Her breath caught.

"Then do it," he said, stepping back just enough to give her space. His voice was a challenge, his smirk unwavering. "Shoot me."

Elise hesitated, her eyes flicking from his face to the weapon.

He wasn’t playing games. He was serious.

Slowly, cautiously, she reached for the gun, her fingers brushing against the cold steel before she grasped it fully. The weight of it felt wrong in her hands—like something foreign, something she wasn’t meant to hold.

Her grip tightened as she sat up, forcing her trembling hands to steady.

"Right here," Vael murmured, and before she could react, his hands were on hers, guiding the muzzle of the gun to his chest—right over his heart.

Elise’s breath hitched. The heat of his skin burned through her clothes, but he didn’t flinch. He stood there, perfectly still, his glowing eyes locked onto hers.

"You wanted this," he reminded her, his voice a whisper against the silence. "You swore to kill me. So go on. Do it."

Her fingers trembled over the trigger.

Her mind screamed at her to pull it. To end him. To avenge them.

But her body refused to obey.

Her hands shook harder, her breaths ragged. Her pulse hammered like a war drum in her ears.

Why couldn’t she do it?

Vael watched her struggle, the smirk never leaving his lips. His fingers brushed over hers, slow and taunting. "What’s wrong, sweetie?" His voice was low, teasing. "You were so determined just moments ago. Can't do it?"

Elise’s stomach twisted. She wanted to. She needed to.

But she wasn’t a murderer.

Her grip faltered.

Vael’s smirk deepened.

Then, without warning—

Click.

A sharp, hollow sound cracked through the air.

Elise jolted, her entire body tensing as Vael’s fingers pressed down over hers, pulling the trigger himself.

Nothing.

No bullet.

Her breath hitched, realization crashing over her like a tidal wave.

Vael chuckled, a deep, knowing sound that sent heat curling in her stomach. "Oh, kitten," he murmured, his fingers trailing from her hands, up her arms, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.

Then, with a sudden, effortless push, he sent her sprawling back onto the bed.

Elise’s body tensed beneath him, her breaths shallow as she felt the weight of his presence pressing into her. His fingers flexed slightly around her throat, not enough to choke—just enough to remind her of her helplessness. His touch burned, a cruel contrast to the cold steel she still clutched in her trembling hands.

Vael smirked, his glowing golden eyes drinking in every flicker of emotion that crossed her face—fury, frustration, something dangerously close to fear. But there was also something else. Something she refused to acknowledge.

"That hesitation," he murmured, voice as smooth as silk yet sharp as a blade. "That’s why you’ll always lose to me."

Elise’s jaw clenched, her glare burning. "Go to hell," she spat, her voice hoarse.

Vael chuckled, a dark, velvety sound that sent heat curling through her stomach against her will. "I told you, kitten," he whispered, leaning in closer until his breath ghosted over her lips, "I’ve already been there."

And then—she gasped.

His lips brushed against the side of her neck, a fleeting, teasing touch before they parted slightly. A sharp sting bloomed as his teeth grazed her skin, followed by a slow, deliberate pull.

Elise’s entire body went rigid, her fingers digging into his wrist, but her strength was nothing against his. Heat flooded her veins, a mix of anger and something far more dangerous.

When he finally pulled away, she could feel the burn of the mark he’d left on her skin—a deep, possessive kiss imprinted just below her jaw.

Vael admired his handiwork, his thumb brushing over the mark as he smirked down at her.

"Until that mark is gone," he murmured, his voice low and laced with amusement, "you will have two more chances to kill me." His eyes gleamed with challenge, with something dark and unreadable.

He straightened, pulling back just enough to release her, his smirk deepening as he tilted his head. "You’ve already failed the first," he said smoothly, Elise’s breaths were uneven, her heart slamming against her ribs.

She wanted to wipe the smug expression off his face. She wanted to claw at the mark on her neck, erase it, erase him.

But more than anything—

She wanted to prove him wrong.

Elise had two choices—fight or play along. Right now, fighting wasn’t the smartest option.

Vael, if that was truly him, was dangerous. Not just because he was physically stronger, but because he enjoyed this. The game. The chase. He held the upper hand, and he knew it.

So did she.

“I take it you’re not letting me walk out of here so easily?” she murmured, forcing her body to relax beneath him. If he wanted to play, then she would, too.

Vael’s golden eyes flickered with amusement. “Oh, I will. I always let my kittens run…” His fingers trailed down her arm, featherlight. “It’s more fun when they think they’ve escaped.”

Elise smirked, despite the way her pulse betrayed her. “You sure talk a lot for someone still half-naked.”

He chuckled, a low, dangerous sound. “You noticed?”

“Hard not to.”

His smirk widened. “And here I thought you were in a hurry to leave.”

“I was,” Elise said smoothly. “Then I realized you weren’t worth the effort.”

His gaze darkened slightly, though amusement lingered. “Careful, kitten. You wouldn’t want to tempt me into keeping you, now would you?”

She was walking a fine line, but she had to make him believe she wasn’t intimidated. That she wasn’t trapped.

“I’d rather throw myself out the window.”

Vael hummed. “That would be entertaining.”

Then, just as suddenly as he had pinned her, he shifted off her, settling on the edge of the bed like she was no threat at all. The sheer arrogance of it made her blood boil.

Elise wasted no time. She slid off the bed, her movements fluid, her eyes never leaving him as she backed toward the door.

“Leaving so soon?” Vael mused, stretching lazily, completely unbothered. “And here I thought you broke in to see me.”

Elise scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

She reached for the door handle—

“Elise.”

Her breath hitched.

She hadn’t told him her name.

Slowly, she turned, masking the tension tightening her limbs. “Funny. I don’t recall giving you permission to use my name.”

Vael smiled, slow and knowing. “You didn’t.”

Her fingers curled into a fist at her side. He knows who Elise was.

Which meant…

Vael's been watching Elise.

The air between them crackled—something darker, something that sent a thrill through her veins even as she despised it.

Elise refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. “Then I suppose I’ll have to return the favor.” She leaned against the door, smirking. “What should I call you? Or do you only introduce yourself to women you trap in bed?”

Vael chuckled, utterly unfazed. “You can call me whatever you want, kitten.”

Elise’s pulse pounded as she walked out of the room, every step measured.

That damn Vael.

The name burned into her mind. She had felt something when she looked into those golden eyes at the auction, but now there was no doubt. He was the one she had been searching for. The man cloaked in shadows, pulling unseen strings, wielding power like it was merely an extension of himself.

And now…

He knew her name.

She couldn’t afford to react—not yet. First, she had to get out of his territory.

The hallway stretched before her, dimly lit in golden hues. Every instinct screamed that she was still being watched. Of course I am. This is his domain.

But she had done what she came for—she had found him. Now, she had to leave before she learned just how much fun he had in store for her.

She turned a corner—

“Running so soon, kitten?”

Elise didn’t stop. Didn’t turn. “You let me go, remember?”

A slow chuckle. “Did I?”

Her fingers twitched at her sides. Bastard.

Then—footsteps. Unrushed. Lazy. Purposeful.

He was following her.

Elise forced her body to stay loose, every muscle ready to react. She wouldn’t pick up her pace. That would be playing into his hands.

Another step. Then another.

Then—

A hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her wrist in a firm, unhurried grip.

Elise whipped around, her dagger unsheathed in the blink of an eye, blade pressed against his throat before either of them could breathe.

Vael only grinned.

“Still so feisty.” His golden eyes gleamed in the dim light, utterly unbothered by the steel against his skin. “It’s cute how you think that’ll work on me.”

Elise wanted to slit his throat. Wanted to see that smirk falter.

But she didn’t.

Not yet.

“Let. Me. Go,” she bit out.

Vael’s thumb brushed over the inside of her wrist—right over her pulse. She hated the way her body reacted, the way her heart betrayed her with a traitorous skip.

“Holding you wasn’t really the problem, kitten,” he murmured, voice thick with amusement. “You’re the one who walked into my den.” He tilted his head. “Now, tell me. Was it curiosity? Or was it fate?”

Elise yanked her wrist free, stepping back, blade still raised. “Neither. It was a job.”

That made him chuckle. “Ah. So, you’re finally admitting it.”

Her jaw clenched. “I knew who you were the moment I saw you.”

His smirk widened. “Then why are you still standing here instead of trying to kill me?”

A cold silence stretched between them.

And damn him—he took a step closer.

Elise didn’t move back.

Vael hummed, his gaze dragging over her, peeling back every layer of her defenses without ever touching her.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he mused. “How easy it would be. A quick strike. A dagger to the heart.”

Her grip tightened.

He leaned in, voice dropping to something dangerous. “But something’s stopping you.”

Nothing is stopping me, she wanted to say.

But it would be a lie.

Vael smiled, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Go on, then,” he whispered. “Kill me.”

Elise’s breath hitched.

She should.

She should.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she lowered the blade. Just an inch. Just enough to let him know—this isn’t over.

Vael exhaled a quiet laugh. “Interesting.”

She turned on her heel and disappeared down the hall before he could say another word.

But just as she left, his voice followed—soft, amused.

“Run, sweetie. Let’s see how long it takes before you come back to me.”

Elise ignored the shiver crawling up her spine.

Because she knew one thing for certain.

This wasn’t the last time they would meet.

And next time, she wouldn’t hesitate.