Duncan watched her struggle, his expression unreadable, almost bored, as if her terror were nothing more than background noise. He gave her time, long, agonizing minutes, to understand the full weight of his so-called choice, to feel the hopelessness settle like lead in her chest.
Then, with a dismissive flick of his hand, as though brushing away an inconvenience, he stood.
“Anyway,” he said lightly, his tone at odds with the cruelty in his eyes, “if you change your mind…” He let the unfinished promise linger, thick and suffocating in the cold air.
Without another glance, he turned and strode toward the door closely followed by his two lackeys. The heavy metal slammed shut behind them, leaving Ruby alone in the choking dark, with only the echo of his words and the grim certainty that he
