Chapter 3 A Dance of Shadows

Liana's eyes snapped open, her breathing ragged. The vivid image of the dark forest lingered in her mind, the silver eyes gleaming like shards of ice. It was a vision, but it had felt too real-too sharp to dismiss as a mere dream.

She sat up on the narrow cot, her heart pounding in her chest. What did it mean? And why did it feel so personal?

The door creaked open before she could dwell on it further. Damien entered, his presence as commanding as ever, though his expression was unusually guarded.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," he remarked, his silver eyes narrowing as they studied her.

"Maybe I have," she muttered, brushing her hair away from her face. "Or maybe being locked in here is finally driving me insane."

Damien tilted his head, his gaze piercing. "Interesting. Most prisoners would be begging for freedom by now, yet you seem... composed. What's keeping you so calm, Liana?"

"Maybe I just enjoy ruining your expectations," she shot back.

He chuckled a deep, resonant sound that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. "You're full of surprises. I'll give you that."

She turned her face away, unwilling to let him see the flicker of unease his presence caused. "Why are you here, Damien? You don't strike me as the type to make casual visits."

"You're right," he admitted, leaning casually against the wall. "I've come to make you an offer."

Her jaw tightened. "I'm not interested in any deals with a vampire."

"Even if it means your freedom?"

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She froze, her mind racing. Was he serious? Could she trust him?

"What's the catch?" she asked warily, her amber eyes narrowing.

Damien's lips curled into a faint smirk. "You're smarter than most. I like that." He straightened, his demeanor shifting to something more serious. "I need information about your pack-specifically, about Thorne Duval."

Liana's stomach twisted at the mention of her brother. "And why would I betray my own family to you?"

"Betrayal is a strong word," he said smoothly. "Let's call it... an exchange of interests. I'll grant you your freedom, and in return, you'll tell me what I need to know."

She laughed bitterly. "You must think I'm a fool."

"I think you're desperate," Damien countered, his silver eyes gleaming with dangerous confidence. "And desperation makes people do things they never thought they would."

Liana stood abruptly, her hands clenched into fists. "I don't care how desperate you think I am. I would rather die than sell out my family."

Damien's expression darkened, his smirk fading. For a moment, the room felt colder, the air charged with tension. "Careful, Liana. Loyalty is admirable, but blind loyalty will get you killed."

"Is that a threat?" she snapped, stepping closer to him.

"No," he said softly, his voice like velvet. "It's a warning."

The intensity of his gaze made her heart race, though she refused to show it. "I don't need your warnings, Damien. I can take care of myself."

He tilted his head, a flicker of amusement returning to his features. "We'll see about that."

Before she could respond, he turned and left, the door locking behind him once more.

Hours passed, though it felt like days. Liana paced the room, her thoughts a whirlwind of anger, confusion, and fear. She hated the way Damien seemed to get under her skin, prying into her thoughts and emotions with ease.

But she hated herself even more for the small part of her that was intrigued by him.

She shook her head, trying to banish the thought. He was the enemy-a vampire who had stolen her freedom and threatened her family. There was no room for anything else.

A sudden noise outside the door made her pause. She strained her ears, catching the faint sound of voices.

"She's dangerous, Damien," a sharp voice said. It was Marcus. "Keeping her here is a mistake."

"She's not going anywhere," Damien replied, his tone calm but firm.

"And what happens when her pack comes looking for her? Or worse, when the hunters find out you've been harboring a werewolf?"

"That's my problem to deal with, not yours."

There was a long silence before Marcus spoke again. "Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment, Damien. She's not worth the risk."

"I'll be the judge of that."

The conversation ended abruptly, followed by the sound of footsteps retreating. Liana's heart raced as she processed what she had heard. The hunters. If they found out she was here, she wouldn't stand a chance.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door unlocking. This time, it wasn't Damien who entered-it was a woman.

Tall and elegant, with raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes, the woman exuded an air of authority. She looked Liana up and down, her expression unreadable.

"So, you're the infamous Liana Duval," the woman said, her voice cool and measured.

"And you are?" Liana asked, her tone sharp.

"Victoria," the woman replied. "Damien's... advisor."

Liana arched a brow. "Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Victoria smirked. "Clever. I see why Damien finds you interesting."

"Let me guess," Liana said, crossing her arms. "You're here to warn me about how dangerous he is and how I should stay in line."

"Not exactly," Victoria said, stepping closer. "I'm here to give you some advice: Don't play games with Damien. You won't win."

Liana's amber eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm not afraid of him."

"Maybe you should be," Victoria said softly, her gaze piercing. "He's not like the others. He doesn't play by the rules, and he doesn't forgive betrayal."

"Good thing I don't plan on betraying him," Liana shot back.

Victoria studied her for a moment before nodding. "We'll see."

With that, she turned and left, the door locking behind her once more.

That night, the hum returned. It was louder this time, almost deafening, and it brought with it another vision.

Liana stood in the dark forest again, the scent of blood thick in the air. Silver eyes watched her from the shadows, unblinking and relentless.

"Liana," a voice whispered, low and chilling.

She turned, but there was no one there.

"Liana," the voice said again, louder this time.

She woke with a start, her body trembling. The vision had felt even more real than the last, and it left her with a sinking feeling in her chest.

Something was coming. Something dark and dangerous.

And she wasn't sure if she could stop it.

As she sat in the darkness, her thoughts racing, the door creaked open once more. Damien stood in the doorway, his silver eyes gleaming with an intensity she hadn't seen before.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice low and urgent.