Marked by the Shadow Prince

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Aria adjusted her backpack and hurried across campus, weaving through the evening crowd of students. The night air was crisp, and the glow of streetlights cast long shadows over the sidewalk.

She had stayed late at the library, losing track of time while cramming for an exam. Now, she was alone, walking toward the bus stop-or she would have been, if not for the detour.

Her usual route was blocked off for construction. With a sigh, she took a side street, cutting through the quieter part of town. Bad idea.

The further she walked, the darker it got. The distant hum of the city faded, replaced by an unsettling silence.

Then she heard it-a low, pained groan.

She froze. A figure was slumped against a brick wall, barely illuminated by the flickering streetlight. A man, dressed in black, breathing heavily.

Aria's stomach tightened. She should keep walking. But something about him pulled her in.

"Are you okay?" she asked cautiously.

The man's head lifted. His silver eyes locked onto hers-cold, hypnotic, inhuman.

"Too late," he murmured.

Before she could move, pain exploded in her wrist-a searing heat branding her skin.

She had been marked.

And her life would never be the same.

---

---

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.

---

Aria's heart slammed against her ribs.

Bound to him? No. That wasn't possible. This wasn't possible.

"I don't know what game you're playing," she said, forcing steel into her voice, "but I want nothing to do with you."

She yanked her wrist back, and this time, he let go. The sudden loss of contact sent a strange shiver through her, as if part of her had been tethered to him.

His silver eyes studied her, unreadable. "You don't have a choice."

Her breath hitched. "Excuse me?"

"You're marked," he said simply, as if that explained everything. "It means your life is now tied to mine. Your body, your soul... your fate."

A cold dread spread through her chest. "That's insane."

His lips curved slightly, but there was no humor in it. "You'll see soon enough."

Aria took a shaky step back. "Stay away from me."

Then she turned and ran.

Her legs carried her as fast as they could, her pulse roaring in her ears. She didn't stop until she reached the bright, crowded street near campus. Only then did she dare to look back.

He was gone.

But somehow... she knew this wasn't over.

Not even close.

To be continued.

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