Heat surged through me, anger flaring like a fire I couldn't control. My nails dug into my palms. "You lied to me."
His smirk deepened. "No, I didn't," he said. "I said you could leave and I won't stop you. But I never said the barrier won't,"
I stalked towards him, stopping just a few feet away. "You tricked me," I seethed. "You knew I couldn't leave, and yet you let me walk out that door like I had a choice!"
He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "And you did have a choice, Miss Everlane. You chose to leave. I simply let you learn for yourself that it wasn't an option."
The sheer arrogance in his voice made my blood boil. "You..." I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "Take it down. Whatever the hell this thing is, remove it."
His expression didn't change. If anything, he looked amused. "And why would I do that?"
"Because I'll make you if you don't."
At that, he actually laughed. A deep, smooth sound that only made me more furious. He pushed off the doorframe and took a step closer, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"You're adorable when you're angry," he mused. "But tell me, what exactly do you think you can do to 'Make me?"
I clenched my jaw, my breath ragged. Every fiber of my being wanted to wipe that smug expression off his face.
But deep down, I knew the truth.
I was powerless against him.
And he knew it too.
"Alright, tell you what," he murmured, tilting his head. "You can leave... if you're able to break down the barrier yourself,"
I frowned. Of course, I couldn't break down the bloody barrier. And he knew it too.. he was just toying with me.
"Why are you doing this?" I snapped.
He sighed, wearing that same infuriatingly innocent smile. "I'm not doing anything, love. Break down the barrier, and you're free to go."
My fists clenched at my sides. God, I wanted to wipe that smile off his face.
"You know I can't. I don't even know what it is, let alone how to break it," I gritted out.
He exhaled through his nose, watching me like I was some lost kitten. "See that's hard to believe, considering that just a few hours ago, you released an awful lot of energy. Enough to kill me, actually."
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
"And now," he continued, "You expect me to believe you can't break a simple energy barrier?"
I sighed, my shoulders sagging. He wasn't wrong. I did remember my... episode. Not that it was the first time. But that didn't mean I knew how to use it or that I even knew what it was.
I just woke up one morning and suddenly a strange energy started building up inside of me, and before I knew what was happening. It exploded.
"I don't know how it got inside me," I admitted. "I can't explain any of it."
He nodded. "I know. You're what we call an unaware or dormant entity."
I furrowed my brows. "We?"
He sighed. "That is..."
"Let me guess," I cut in. "Classified?"
But to my surprise, he smiled. "Actually, no. I'm willing to tell you everything you need to know... if you come back inside."
I narrowed my eyes. A moment ago, he refused to tell me anything, and now suddenly, he was willing to talk? I didn't buy it.
"Why should I trust you?" I challenged. "You lied about letting me leave, so why should I believe anything you say?"
He took a slow, deliberate breath before offering me an almost apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about that. I was just having a bit of fun. But let's be honest here, Miss Everlane. You don't really have a choice,"
His voice dropped lower, smooth as silk.
"You're stuck here with me. And if I wanted to force you inside, I could."
A chill ran down my spine. I clenched my fists, but there was nothing I could really do.
I exhaled sharply. Dammit.
I was trapped, with no escape. I was stuck in a stupid barrier with no idea where I was.
"Now," he continued, his voice smooth as silk, "Be a good girl and come back inside. We have so much to talk about."
I glared at him, every muscle in my body screaming at me to fight. To resist.
But what choice did I have?
For now... none.
Grinding my teeth, I turned on my heel and stormed past him, shoving my shoulder against his as I entered the house.
His soft chuckle followed me inside.
This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
I marched back inside, my whole body rigid with frustration. The moment I stepped past the threshold, Ronald shut the door behind me with an infuriating click, sealing me inside just as easily as he'd locked me out.
The air in the room felt warmer, more suffocating now that I knew I had no real way out. My fists clenched at my sides as I whirled to face him.
"You can drop the smug act," I snapped. "I get it. You're in control, and I'm stuck here until you decide otherwise."
Ronald raised a single brow, amusement still dancing in his glowing crimson eyes. "Well, you catch on quick. That'll make things easier."
I wanted to slap that grin off his face.
Instead, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. "Think, Triss. If he wanted you dead, you'd already be dead. He's keeping you here for a reason,"
I crossed my arms. "Fine. Since I apparently have no choice, how about you actually start answering my questions?"
Ronald tilted his head slightly, pretending to consider it. "Hmm... maybe. If you ask nicely."
My patience snapped. "Just answer me!"
He blinked innocently, feigning surprise. "Ooh, take charge. I like that."
My face burned with frustration. I could not take any more of his games. It was driving me insane.
His lips twitched, as if he were holding back laughter. "Alright, alright. No need to get so worked up." He strolled past me, lowering himself into a sleek black leather chair with effortless grace. "Go ahead. Ask away."
I hesitated. My mind was a storm of unanswered questions, but I needed to start with the most important one.
"Where are we?"
He chuckled. "Why, we're in a cabin, of course."
I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples. If I had a knife, I would plunge it straight into that smug face of his.
"I meant literally, for fuck's sake!"
"Oh!" His expression lit up with playful realization. "Well, Miss Everlane, we're in a forest... a very large forest."
I clenched my fists. "You think I don't know that?!"
That was it. I'd reached my limit.
"That's it, I'm going to kill you myself," I seethed, grabbing the nearest object on the table... a black flower vase, and hurled it straight at his face.
For a fleeting second, I thought it might actually hit him.
But of course, with that inhuman speed of his, he caught it effortlessly.
He lifted the vase, inspecting it with a smirk. "You didn't really think this would hit me, did you?"
I crossed my arms, scowling. "Hmph. What a show-off."
But before I could say more, he burst into laughter. Laughter?
And in that moment, I realized something; this wasn't the same guy who had been all cold and indifferent when I first woke up. It wasn't even the same charming and elegant man I had met in the café.
This version of him... This version was clearly enjoying himself.
I wasn't.
Finally, his laughter faded, and he leaned back in his chair, eyes alight with amusement. "Relax, Miss Everlane. We're still in London."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Oh, thank God," I muttered, relieved to know I hadn't been whisked away to some unknown corner of the world.
Now that I had my bearings, it was time for answers.
"That... vampire, the one that tried to kill me. And that... scary-looking elf-man. What did they want from me?"
Ronald leaned back in his chair, watching me carefully. "Now that... is a very good question."
I narrowed my eyes. "And?"
He exhaled through his nose. "And... I have an answer. But first, let's start with something more basic." He gestured toward me with one hand. "You, miss Everlane, are a supernatural entity,"
I stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." He rested his chin on his hand. "You must have noticed it by now, haven't you? The power you unleashed back there? The way your body knew how to react even before your mind caught up? That wasn't luck. And it definitely wasn't normal."
My mouth suddenly felt dry.
Of course, I noticed the energy. I'd felt it. That surge of raw power coursing through me, the way my body moved like it had been trained for battle all my life.
But I had shoved it down, convinced myself that it had been some kind of fluke... or gift.
Because if it wasn't, then...
"Whatever is happening to you,"he continued, "You're at the center of it. And those creatures? They weren't just attacking at random." His eyes darkened. "They were after you."
A chill ran down my spine.
"But why?" I whispered.
"Because, Miss Everlane... I don't think you're human."
"What?!" I blurted out, completely thrown.