Ivy
She was in his apartment. Miles away from Veldmoor. From Leseldh. Voresta was going to End her. Her foolishness knew no bounds.
She felt like there were two very different beings inside of her that were taking turns at driving her body.
One of the drivers was confident, hungry, and heedless of the dangers, while the other was scratching at the walls, desperately screeching to escape this apartment and hurry back to the safety of Zentroa.
But she knew that she couldn’t turn back, and for better or worse, she was trapped inside this stunning apartment with this sexy, yet utterly intimidating male.
As she stared at Killian, she was struck by an array of feelings—she was undeniably nervous, not only for her own welfare, but about the possibilities of where this night would lead.
The possibilities also filled her with a level of excitement that she was practically vibrating with, and she clamped her hands against her thighs to hide the shaking.
Killian’s eyes remained fixed on her. She felt so exposed under the intensity of his stare that she may as well have been naked.
He slowly stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
When he stopped, their bodies still weren’t touching, but she felt a pull towards him, and she was desperate to squeeze the life out of the gap between them.
She fought the urge, thinking he would continue towards her, but he stood resolutely still.
“I don’t know. What do you like to do for fun, other than drinking and dancing, baby vamp?”
“I like to read.”
“I don’t have many books here.”
“I used to enjoy running.” This response seemed to pique his interest, and his eyes flashed with challenge.
“It’s a big apartment, but I don’t think you’d get far if I were to chase you.”
“Maybe that’s the point.”
Ivy couldn’t believe the way the banter flowed so easily from her lips.
It was almost as though he plucked the friskiness right out of her.
With the way his expression darkened at her suggestion, she realised that she wanted the banter to continue, if only to make him continue devouring her with his eyes. And with other parts of him.
Ivy decided to take a step backward instead of forward, and an amused smile spread across his lips as he watched her. She darted backward to put distance between them, and her heartrate surged as she saw him lunge towards her to give chase.
She let out a squeal as she raced around the large L-shaped couch and into the living space, and he vaulted over it with surprising agility.
She pivoted and took off running across the open-plan apartment, making her way into the kitchen on the opposite side.
She circled the island bench to use it as a barrier between them.
He stalked after her, with the red of his eyes crowded by swirls of black, and a devilish grin upon his lips.
He was doing a fine imitation of the stereotypical Hunter, but as Ivy watched Killian approach, she was aware that he would be much more lethal in a real pursuit.
They danced around the bench, and she ran out from behind it with another squeal, making for a set of stairs.
She took the stairs two at a time and realised as she reached the upper floor that Killian followed at a much slower pace.
Although she didn’t know the layout of the apartment, she suspected where the staircase would lead to, and while she waited for Killian to catch up to her, she explored the upper area.
A hallway began at the top of the stairs, and an open doorway stood before her.
Peering in, she saw a large bathroom with dark grey tiling, light grey cupboards, and black fixtures.
An enormous waterfall shower filled the far end of the room.
She continued to the next doorway to find a large walk-in wardrobe, and Killian’s familiar scent wafted towards her.
As his scent grew stronger, she knew what room she’d find beyond that final doorway.
His bedroom was spacious and hosted a large bed positioned against a black-panelled feature wall.
It looked big enough to fit about four people, and the silken, black bedding was rumpled from its last use.
Images of what they could do in that bed sprang to mind, and she blushed at the rush of indecent thoughts.
The colour palette matched the bathroom, with plush grey carpets and black furniture.
Lush, green potted plants stood on either side of the bed, and pendant lights suspended from the ceiling gave the space a disarmingly inviting ambience.
But the feature of the room was the view. The glass windows also spanned from floor to ceiling in this space, affording a magnificent view of cities she didn’t know. The space held little other decoration. It seemed this room was meant for one—or maybe two—things.
Ivy stood in the centre of the room, between the bed and the windows, staring out at the view.
But her senses were tuned to the doorway, and she awaited Killian’s approach.
She didn’t hear him—the Hunter was quiet.
But that feeling that he was near slowly grew, and she knew the moment he’d crept up behind her because she felt the heat of his body drifting towards her.
She slowly turned and was met with the maelstrom of black and red within his eyes.
“Looks like you caught me.” She’d managed to catch her breath after the romp through the apartment, but suddenly, she was breathing hard again.
“Not yet, I haven’t.” Killian’s voice was almost a growl, and it caused concern to flicker to life in the back of her mind. But before she could react, Killian sprang into action.
Moving like lightning, he surged forward, grabbing Ivy by the waist and lifting her in the air to toss her across the room.
She let out a scream as weightlessness struck her.
A moment later, she hit the bed and bounced as she landed.
Her hair fanned out around her, and before she could collect herself, Killian leapt onto the bed after her.
He loomed over her. His hands pressed against the bed on either side of her head, and she was pinned in place by his legs positioned on either side of her body.
She looked up at him and felt a cold wave of fear ripple through her as she saw the predatory gleam in his eyes. With rising dread, she realised she was face-to-face with the true Hunter. He’d lured her into his trap, and yet again, she’d left herself vulnerable to attack.
And this time, no one knew she was here.