Damon's POV
Pure terror filled her eyes. She tried one last desperate gamble. "Aria..."
My hand froze. She noticed. A twisted smile spread across her face despite the pain. "Aria doesn't love you anymore."
My head throbbed, sharp and violent.
"She left you." The pain intensified. Fragments flashed. Aria. Walking away.
"She'll never forgive you." Blood trickled from my temple. "She'll never come back."
Mate... Rhein cried weakly.
A roar ripped from my throat. I nearly crushed Claudia's neck. Almost. Almost... instead... I released her.
She collapsed onto the floor, coughing violently. She looked up in confusion.
I stared down at her coldly. She had Aria to thank for still being alive. My reason for still keeping her alive was simple.
She was the bait to lure Aria back to me. Once
