Evaline:
For a second… I couldn't move.
I just lay there, my chest heaving, my lungs struggling to pull in air that refused to come fast enough. The pain in my ankle throbbed violently, sharp and blinding, sending waves of nausea through me.
And when I finally looked up, Damian stood right over me with that familiar smile curving his lips. His eyes held an emotion I could only describe as... satisfaction, or victory.
Like he had expected this all along.
Like my escape had been nothing more than a brief amusement to pass his time.
My stomach twisted violently. A part of me - small, quiet, and trembling - knew I couldn't outrun him anymore.
Not like this. Not with my body barely holding together. But that didn't mean I would stop, that didn't mean I would give up.
No.
If he wanted to take me back, he would have to drag me there. And I would make sure it cost him.
