Aurelia's POV
The fear that had initially frozen me in place quickly transformed into something else as Ryan stepped closer – anger, hot and fierce, burning away the paralysis. When he reached out like he was going to touch my face, I didn't hesitate.
My knee connected with his groin with satisfying force, and he doubled over with a grunt of pain and surprise.
"Don't you dare touch me," I snarled, my voice carrying more venom than I knew I possessed.
Ryan straightened slowly, his face twisted with pain and rage, but there was something else there too – amusement, like my defiance was exactly what he'd expected and wanted.
"There's my feisty girl," he said, his voice strained but sickeningly fond. "I've missed that fire."
"I'm not your anything," I shot back, taking a step backward t
