Chapter three_ The Unwanted Touch
270 Words
The night pressed tighter around Isabella as the music swirled and the crowd thickened.masks and feathers blurred together,but all she could see were his eyes.Dark.Burning.Watching her as if the rest of the world did not exist.
She tried to step back, but the stranger followed,his presence shadowing her every movement.
"why me?" she whispered,her voice breaking,"you could have anyone here".
His lips curved into something darker than a smile."Exactly but I don't want anyone.I want you."
Her heart stumbled in her chest.she didn't even know his name,yet his gaze wrapped around her like invisible chains.Dangerous.Heavy.Impossible to escape.
Before she could reply, another hand seized her wrist.Isabella gasped, spinning toward a man in a silver mask.His breath reeked of wine, and his grip was rough.
"Dance with me,bella," he slurred, tugging her into the crowd.
"No_please_" Isabella struggled, but his hold tightened.
In an instant, the dark stranger moved.
His hand s**t out, crushing the drunkard's wrist with terrifying force.
The man yelped, stumbling back." what the -"
"She's mine,"the stranger growled, his voice low, deadly.it wasn't a shout,but it carried.people turned,whispers cutting through the laughter.Eyes darted between them, curious, fearful.
The drunken révéler muttered something under his breath before slinking into the crowd, clutching his injured wrist.
But Isabella's relief was short-lived.
The stranger leaned closer,his breath brushing her ear."Do you see,bella?
Even fate doesn't want to take you from me."
Her knees weakened,her breath caught in her throat.she should have felt safe.instead, she felt trapped like a bird with gilded wings, caught in a cage she hadn't noticed closing around her.
And yet,deep inside,a shiver of longing answered him.
- Writer
