Chapter 2 The Mark

--- Pain. Blinding, searing pain.

Aria gasped, clutching her wrist as fire spread through her veins. It wasn't normal-it wasn't just an injury. It felt like something inside her was changing.

Her knees buckled, but strong hands caught her, holding her up.

"Breathe," the stranger murmured.

His voice was low, almost soothing, but it did nothing to calm the terror racing through her. She blinked up at him, her vision swimming. Silver eyes. Too bright. Too unnatural.

"What... what did you do to me?" she choked out.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he lifted her wrist, his thumb brushing over a strange mark now etched into her skin. Dark. Intricate. Glowing faintly.

"You shouldn't have stopped," he said, almost regretfully.

A chill ran down her spine. "I need to go," she whispered.

She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened-not hurting her, but unyielding.

"It's useless," he said smoothly.

Aria's stomach twisted. "What?"

"You're bound to me now." His gaze darkened. "And if you try to run..." He leaned in slightly, his breath ghosting her skin. "You won't get far."

Her blood ran cold.

What had she just gotten herself into?

Aria's heart slammed against her rib.

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